The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-29

the reason thai he had made up his mind TO select the
from ong tbs OF those oaceIs who had lost their
lives in the service of the country lie remarked that the
from each congressional district had The
selection OF cadet but that they rarely, ii ever,
mated the OF an ofheer, ior the reason that they
SELDOM remained sufficiently long IN any place 10 give
them aay claims upon the member He said be thought
the len appointments were given TO him that he might
have an opportunity 10 appoint OF the oi those
officers OF The army who had fallen in battle and whose
poor and widowed mothers soliciting him do 80,
OF The sens OF officers, who, II living have. from their
situation and circumstances local habitatiun 20
llcal influence. Mr.. Corwin and myself agreed
that he was right, although his decision excluded our
constituents. We could not. in hearts, think that
those whom presented deserved a preference over
The ofsr:ing of such men as Worth. Martin, Scott
Mcintosh, Hooe, and host OF others, who have passed
The greater part OF their lives The confines OF the re-
public, and without the limits OF congressional districts
or political iofaences--persons the bare mention OF
whose names Causes The recollection OF their heroic
deeds to rush back upon the memory of every Ameri-
canmen whose bodies SCARED all over upon our
hattie ieds, from the OF 1912 To that Of Mexico
The conduct OF The President providing for the children
Of some OF The officers to whom allude the APP
probation both OF my head and heart
Mr. PEARCE. am not willing TO have il supposed
that intended to make attack upon the President
think thai dsclamed such an intention meant to
assign why should moi enlarge his patron
age in this respect bad noticed that, all his appoint
Inens were made from the sons OF military naval OF.
ncers and thought that il the number OF cadets
increased by the addition OF sixtytwo in the course OF
four years. and the appointments not given sen
ators bu, 10 the Executive the probability that there
would be too much OF that sort OF patronage which,
the present ime be President extends 10 the OF mill
tary men for he can have personal knowledge of
the merits and capacities OF those who may be urged
upon him for these places at West Point he must be
governed either he is governed now BY reference TO
the claims, real or supposed, OF military men, by po
tcal Influence, which will press upon him. as we know
does very often in every department of the public
vice lie Is not TO be reproached, because he cannot,
have the personal information which we shall have and
must be liable either TO other OF the influences
which have mentioned. However sir il said any,
Opon he dant in
regard 10 these appointments qualify it, and desire ii
10 be understood that do not him Tor the Sc
extension of the principle OF those selections few Of
these cadetces may quite properly be bestowed consid
GRAFTON OF the high military merit OF the parent in addition
TO the hiness OF the son, but the great majority should
be taken from other walks Of life.
desire TO make one other remark if the senator will
allow me- which ought TO have made before and which
has been called 10 my attention by the from Mis-
slsspp, Mr.. BRowN The President now appoints ten
cadets every year, or forty in four years The members
q The House Of Representatives appoint two hundred and
presidenss more than one-sixh of that OF the House OF
Representatives, That is very large proportion 10 assign
10 The Of military men, and it should not be increased
Mr. DODGE, OF Iowa There the senator and differ
entirely think that the President did precisely right
ana that u necessary 10 increase the number OF cadets
al The Military Academy, they should be at the disposal
OF the President TO be given 10 those boys whose fathers
are engaged in the army, and thus without Imay
local habi,ation without political influence
with the representative OF any congressional district
The senator OF course knows with what views and for
what purposes he anmadverted upon The conduct OF The
President IN This matter He referred the fact that a
without one exception, upon the class of persons named
by hun; and differing from him. do respecting the
poprleiy Of The selections made by the President could
MOI allow his remarks to go unanswered.
will not deain the Senate further on this subject
But there are some other recommendations OF the Sec
Teary OF War which want attended to- think my
friend IRON Illinois has bill before us to increase the
rank and file of the army This is needed 10 protect
me people out IN New Mexico Oregon. California Iowa.
and Nebraska and shall vote for that bill with great
pleasure. My friend IRON Illinois, am aware is la
boring efficiently Tor the good of the public service and
especially tina, branch which has been confded 10 him
wall vote for The bill increase The rank and file of
the army, hut the officers when we are now turn
Ins Them OFT at the rate of two hundred and forty three
every ionr Years
10 cay that be IS in favor of this BILL except the section
proposed 20 he stricken ouil
Mr. DODGE | am
Mr. SHIELDS am happy 10 hear il,
The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Mr NoRRso The
question - ON the amendment TO the amendment.
Mi SUMNER called for the yeas and nays and they
were ORDERED.
Dir. ADAMS Let The section which is proposed 10
be stricken out be read
IL was read. as follows:
SIC g. .aadb Jpher enacted, That in addition 10 the
number Of cadets authodz ii the existing Jaws There
shall be appointed fom each state pom The recon-
imendauon OF the respective senators,
MIR. PRATT. The first question will be, suppose
upon The amendment which | proposed to The amend.
ment
MIR, BADGER. The senator from MARYLAND moved
10 strike out the last words OF the section "upon The
recommendation OF the respective senator's" The cues
Ton will trst be upon that.
Mr. SHIELDS. | desire 10 say, so tina, the Senate
may understand il, that IL the amendment of The senator
from Mar land IS agreed 10, the effect will be TO author.
re the appointment OF sxtytwo additional cadets and
leave The selection 10 the President, so that be may seec
Them from one Stale two three. The selection az
y stands gives the small States the same chance as the
large ores.
Mr.. PRATT, No, sir | DO not want the amendment
70 be misunderstood lie effect will be To leave the 40.
polnlmenis without any mode specified for the making
OF hen Il viii give rise 10 subst quent arrangement
ana y none u made The appointments will be left TO the
Mr. CLAYTON There appears 10 be some difbculty
nregard 10 which amendment the question will first be
taken upon. II understand il, The motion first made
was 70 sutke gu, The ninth section Then motion was
made TO sifke out the last words of the section Upon
whon does The Chair state the question is 10 be first
The PRESIDING OFFICER Upon the amendment
TO strike out the last words
The question being taken BY yeas and nsys ON Nj,
nays 32-=ss follows
. SEAs-alessrs BIodhead, CSss Dodge q Iowa. Evans
NAYS-Mesrs Adams. Alien Atcbi,on BADGER Raw
ard, Bsii Brown, Butler, Clayton, Dodge Of Wisronsn
zen, Ftzpatnck, Geyer, Gwin, Hemlin James, Jones
Shields, Sidslh Stuart, Thompson OF Ken,ocky Wade
"sNef' "eher' williams, and Wrigbt--22
81 il was rejected
me question recurring on the amendment 10 strike
oui lne section, was taken by yeas and NAYS and e
suied--Seas rs, nays 25-as follows:
HBAS-Messrs Adams, Brodhcsd C,s.. Nj. .s -
Evans, Hsmln, Morris, Petit Pratt slideli sSs,, srna