Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-05-14

mandng regiments because the colonel was not in the
field and he still held his place, because President
the present state of things though they old and
perannuated men, without giving them compensa-
ton and providing some mode by which they live.
Our laws have made provision for Them in of
removal, and will think, II the honorable Senator
from New Hampshire could have his way. However,
have done my duty.
The PRESIDENT. The question is on the motion to
postpone the consideration Of the bill until tomorrow.
Mr. SHIELDS. / am opposed to the postponement
want to decide the bill one way another.
Mr. DOWNS. | hope this bill will be passed now. Ii
to that objection can be made to it. have
doubt that ii has been very carefully prepared by the
committee, and think ought 10 trust somewhat TO
their discretion in preparing It, II Is not probable that
of this kind can be perfected nj but this
is the of what oil feel be desirable.
think We cannot do better than pass the BILL
The Senator from New Hampshire seems to oppose the
bill the ground that injustice may be done the class
of officers who will go the retired list though he
forget altogether another class Of officers who in
crested in the NATTER and the country aso-I aude to
that class who perform the duties of the
officers The Senator's objection the bill seems to he
that by il may treat with sufficient kindness and
iberaiity those officers who may render mertorous
vices hereafter do not think the country will fail in
their duty in that respect. do not think that by
the provisions of the bill, there is any danger Of in
justice being done to such officers; and if it should ope
rate unjustly upon any of them have doubt the Lee
gisa.ure would provide for such On the other
hand there is hardship which ought to be prevented
There officers who, in subordinate capacity, have
been compelled for years and years perform duties APP
pertaining to higher grade In the Mexican there
scarcely regiment in the field commanded by
the officer highest in rank for they commanded by
captains majors, and other inferior officers who perform
ed all the duties of their superior would go far
any man to be perfectly LIBERAL and am the
ton and the Government always will be liberal to those
who have performed meriorious services; but
willing at the time that injustice should be done
those who do actual service have heard OBJ
lection seriously urged against the here else
WI upOui may in q
other House, for this is short session hope will
not do SO by differences minor matters and mper-
fections which may be in it. hope therefore, the bill
viii pass.
Mr.. BRADBURY. Mr.. President, I am disposed to
favor bill of this character believing when properly
considered, that 1t may result in public good But |
would like to call the attention of the honorable chairman
of the Committee Military Affairs the objections that
have been made by the Senator from New Hampshire,
and inquire whether they ght be obvated by making
distinction between the compensation that should be
received in the Of those who have incurred disa-
by in the performance of gallant service in the line of
their duty
Mr.. SHIELDS. l will make statement which ought.
think to satisfy the Senator from New Hampshire and
my friend from Maine. The President now can
any officer of the army He has the power TO do it, but
he will not do it unless there is provision made for
them And again: this bill cannot turn man out of
the army unless with the approval of the President
Mr.. BRADBURY The point to which was about to
direct attention this That there ought to be dis
tnction between the where the disability arises in
the discharge OF gallant service the line of the officer
duty and those cases where the disability arises during
inactivity without the exhibition Of any superior gall
lantry. There may be where officer is totally
unable to perform his duty-and this is the pont-who
may yet be entitled to something than half-pay.
An officer receives wound deprived Of his sight in
the discharge of his duty In of that kind would
discriminate and authorize the President besow full
pay such officer. lie may lose his limbs he may
be unable to cothe and feed himself and being unable
perform his duteshavng received the wound in the per-
formance of his duty think he ought receive enough
to support him. 1t is, therefore with the view of
aiming considerations of this kind that would express
the wish that the bill should be laid over and printed 1t
be taken up again tomorrow morning and shall be
disposed to vote for bill which, after having had OPP
porunity to examine ii, may think will meet the cases
which this bill is designed to meet
3lr. SUMNER. | have desire to say any thing on
the general question but must make the request my
friend from Illinois that he should consent the post
ponement of this bu that may oil enjoy the advantage
which he himself has had No who knows that Sena
tor suppose that he in any way, would be party
bill which had in il any element Of injustice. 1t has
been said that this bill unjust in some of its provisions
wish that may all have opportunity read it, t.
know what its provisions are.
Mr. SHIELDS. The only reason why / was anxious Il
pass this bin this morning in order that il ght have
opportunity to be acted upon in the other House dur
ing this session 1t has failed to pass through the other
House before, for want Of time, and afraid If il is
acted upon now it will fail again.
| SEVERAL SENATORS. We take il up tomorrow.
Mr.. SHIELDS. will consent that it be postponed un.
til tomorrow, with view TO have il printed.
Mr.. B0RLAND. hope that il win not be postponed
but that 1t will be acted upon 1t is subject which
has been before several times within the last three
four years did think that if any subject had been fully
considered both by the Senate and the country this
the question above all others. The objection made by
certain Senator'S to be that il does provide well
enough for the officers of the army have taken some
pains TO ascertain the opinions Of many officers of the
army this subject the committee and still
the committee which reported the bill We have taken
pains ascertain the views ofthe officers Of the army and
there has been any who has any objection
it am ignorant Of the fact Those who have given their
views in favor Of it well qualified to give opinion
any persons be. As the bill has been long be-
fore the Senate and the country hope may have inn
mediate action upon 1t.
Mr.. CHASE hope the acquiescence Of my friend
from Illinois in the suggestion with regard to the post
ponement Of this question viii with the
Of the Senate trust that II will be postponed, simply
because desire that the business Of the Senate may
conducted intelligently The amendment which now
under consideration introduced this morning as
substitute for bill which has been long upon our tables
Comparing that substitute in manuscript read the
desk Of the Secretary, with the printed BILL find there
very essential differences and these differences
ought TO receive careful cnsderson at least as care
full consideration can be procured by having the bill
printed and laid tables, to be taken up tomorrow
My friend who reported the bill is gentleman in whose
judgment and discretion have very great confidence
and generally find myself concurring with him in my
vote But he should recoect that while he and the
bers Of his committee have had opportunity this
before, though in writing other gentlemen have had
the privilege Of seeing 1t at all hope, therefore il will
be postponed.
Mr.. B0RLAND. hope that ms the chairman and other
members Of the Military Committee acquiesce in the post
ponemen there viii be general understanding that il
shall be taken up and acted upon tomorrow.
SEVERAL SENATORS. Certainly.