The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-24

the army Of The officers and pour fresh
blood into il by filling their places with young men That
hope be will be able 10 do, and hope his friends will
Mr. RUSK shall certainly vote against striking ou,
this section la the hsl place. il comes Teeomme nced by
the head Of the War Department and whatever opinions
he may entertain, think will be conceded by ali that,
10 regard 10 military matters, he 10 OF superior
knowledge So lar The patronage OF senators is
cerned should be glad 10 avoid tif could. because
know just well the senator from Indiana that
shall have TO dsappolni great many where crafty
one IL will be an onerous duty 10 perform but far
regards that the members OF the House OF Representa-
lives perform the duty now, and for one, feel very
willing TO my share OF The duty and responsible
lily TO The couHy This increase is said TO be necessary
by the head of the department. The additional officers
necessary in any point oil view. There is scarcity
throughout the country OF such men as are graduated at
West Point. Competent and wel-instrucied engineers
required railroads, and many Of these young
will not go into the army when they have received their
education when they can lind more profitable employment
elsewhere They now, ind in many greater emol
ument in the private walks OF lie. Under these cir
cunisances, think wrong to strike out this provision
Mr. BUTLER. hope this section will be stricken
out am better satisfied, since have heard the remarks
of other gentlemen upon this subject, than before
This class Of gentlemen who graduate at West Point
come from all paris of the United States and thew mlnsle
with aud duse themselves through society and in The
Iarmy. And wherever they go they carry with them
selves excellent influence They have learned what
young at home frequently do not learnsomethng OF
the restraints Of discipline; they willing submit 10
discipline, and devote themselves TO the useful pursuits
Iof HE. And whenever war shall be declared calling
for the OF The young of the country, whether
il the army Of il, they prepared TO take that
sponsibe command upon which safely rely. And
am IN favor OF this provision upon The broad ground
that am willing 10 increase the number OF cadets at
West Point Academy because is the legitimate power
oil Congress TO prepare for war And this is, think, the
most equitable mode OF providing officers for our army
as they distributed mos, equally through every part
OF this country; this is fair and equal
| Mr. SEWARD. shall vote for retaining this sec
ton. and in doing look at the condition OF the army
Iandn nj thp Tina nj nd lima nj
II believe army is the best army in the world the
most effective army; and the is, that our officers
Gated TO be common soldiers we'll officers, not only
in particular line in the army but in every line OF the
army. Every cadet is educated and trained 10 prac-
iise all the duties of the common soldier and at the
same time educated and prepared perform the duties of
the artillery officer, OF the infantry officer, OF the cavalry
officer and also oil the scientific corps which is always
attached an army So it is, that whenever you call
American officers into the field they able frame and
prepare effective army believe il you increase the
number Of cadets and thus Increase the number OF your
officers you will be able in fact to diminish the rank and
file in proportion TO that increase So much think,
was shown in the operations OF our army IN the Mexican
war
officers educated at West Point is the same practically
the as it has been for many years past But
we have enlarged the boundaries OF our territory; we
have increased UNNECESSARILY the operations OF this gov
eminent in military point OF vew in the way OF military
Notifications and detences in internal improvements and
military roads We have need OF more officers with this
great increase OF the OF the country and OF the
military and civic operations OF the country This Acad-
envy is best school for the education OF engineenot
only military engineers but civil engineers.
In regard the mode Of constituting these appointments
this is the most equal and the most republican mode All
other appointments may By political favoI but this mode
OF appointment, is bring into this Military Acade-
my number of persons every year equally from every
art OF the country, without the least shadow oil Unequal
Iity and also 10 bring number OF proporlioned 10
the power and Of the political parties IN Con-
gress. see reasons why senator's should not have
in these appointments the same influence and the same
power which exercised BY members OF The House OF
Representatives Why should we not Are we not as
capable OF exercising that power and influence IL is
said here that we do exercise our power IN the appoint
ment OF these persons when we are called upon 10 adj
wise and consent TO their appointment by the President
Of the United States when they come TO be nominated
officers OF the army after having passed through the
Military Academy. But 1t will be seen upon moments
reflection that practically we exercise no such power
These persons al hrst nominated cadets By the
House of Representatives and practically nominated
officers BY The members OF that House for after they
have graduated at the Academy OF Wes Point they
aominaed as matter OF course, by the President for
promotion when the chances OF promotion occurs and II
Is the fact that The Senate unanimously gives lis consent
once, without inquiry and without, obe-tion, 10 such
nominations for promotion. II Is The principle upon
which the whole army is constituted that no objection
prevails, unless il is account OF character, and
such one have never known Whatever may
be the Inconvenience attached 10 The exercise OF such
power upon the part OF the Senate IL Is sull duty, and
like every other duty, one which ought TO be assumed by
Mr.. CLAYTON. Think il is very apparent that the
Secretary OF WaT--
Mr.. MASON | hope my friend from Delaware MIR
CLAYTosl will yield the floor to me, in order that may
move an executive session.
Mr. CLAYTON only wish TO occupy the Senate
but a moment.
Mr.. MASON, That may be, Mr.. President, and
then other gentlemen will desire TO debate this ques
ton.
Mr. CLAYTON. Very well | will yield the floor to
the senator
Mr MASON. | then move 10 postpone the further
consideration Of this bill until Tomorrow in order that
we may have an executive session.
The question being then taken, the motion agreed
10 and the bill was accordingly postponed until tomor
row.
EXECUTIVE BUSINESS.
| On motion by Mr. MASON, the Senate then proceeded
10 the consideration OF executive business and, alter
time spent therein, the doors reopened; where
upon,
! On motion, the Senate adjourned
THURSDAY, MARCH 20, 1854.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVE
II ~.