Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-01-21
CONG.R E s s.

The proceedings OF the SENATE on Monoay were
more than usually interesting. The preliminary
measures so promptly adopted to evince the grate-
full sense of the National Legislature for the human-
ty and persevering bravery of the Commanders who
SO nobly stood by the wreck Of the San Francisco,
and at great hazard succeeded in saving the suryi
vsrs Of her ssscurrrs md ysAre hanorahie W
tbs Senators Who moved IN thens, and to theswhoie
Eslx which So heartily and UNANIMOUSLY sustained
the movement
Among other business Of the day, three impor-
tant b.lls were introduced from the Military Com
mittae by Gen. SHIELDS, the chairman of that COM
mittee viz: A bill to increase the pay of the army
bill to increase the efficiency of the army; and
bill creating retired list for the army.
In regard to the policy of these bills we may be
permitted to remark that the compensation of the
army was fixed some years ago, when the cost OF
living was much less than at present; and, al
though the salaries of most of the other employees
of the Government have been increased during that
time the pay of the army remains unchanged This
bill contemplates increasing the pay from twenty
fire to thirty per centum. That of the soldiers IS
raised from seven to ten dollars per month and,
when employed as teamsters and mechanics, they are
to have from twenty five to fifty cents per day extra
This increase is deemed measure of expedency and
of propriety The number of soldiers in our army
is now nearly four thousand less than is allowed by
law and it is found that men will not enlist when
they can obtain much better wages as laborers or
ordinary mechanics. This increase will likewise
tend greatly to prevent desertion. The bill also ex-
tends the pension laws of 1S4S to the army, and
provides for the appointment of an additional num-
Der of cadets two from each State, upon the recon-
mendation of the Senators respectively
The provisions of the second bill are said to be
loudly called for by existing circumstances With
an immense increase of population and territory,
there has been no proportionate increase IN our mill
tary force, and at time too when it is SO much
needed Our army is only ten thousand strong,
ana it is ox proposed to increase it b. adding one
regiment Of dragons, two regiments of infantry,
and one company of sappers, miners, and ponto'
niers, the infantry to be changed into riemen when
ever necessary This will add greatly to the eth-
ciency of the army and its adoption will be gene
rally regarded as of prudence and wisdom.
The Retired List forms the subject Of the third
bill. and is deemed one of great necessity IN our
army in which there are many superannuated, worn
eut. and otherwise incapacitated officers. Ihe Ell
feet of placing them upon this list will be, not only
to withdraw them from actual service, with tneir
present pay, but also to promote many gallant and
rneritorious officers who would otherwise remain IN
their present positions for many years to come 1t
Is regarded as measure, not only OF expediency'
but Of Justice and its passage will be looked tor
with great anxietJ by the whole army.
Two reports we're presented from the Committee
on the Judiciny relative to the question recently
raised bv NJ. PHELPS, of Vermont, as to his right
r. retan bis seat in the Senate, to which he was ap
pointed 20 FIJI vacancy prior to the late meeting OF
tbe LEGISLATURE of his State, which adjourned with
o,,+ electing Senator. The constitutional point
ra.ented in this case is, we understand, new one,
,,E;ch VIC presume will be shown when the question
.omes up for consideration on Wednesday, for which
5ov Il is made the special order. The ma ority OF
the committee report in favor of Mr. PHELPS
riph.. and the minority (NIr BUTLER and Mr.
BAYARD) against it.
An amendment to the Nebraska bill was submit
ted and ordered to be printed, which, in effect abro
rates the compromise act of. 1920, known as the
Missouri compromise, by declaring that SO much
of thas act as prohibits slavery shall not be SO con
strued as to apply to the Nebraska or any othei
Territory of the United States
A bill was reported from the Committee on ke'
trenchment which proposes to make further In
crease in the salaries Of the clerks and other EN-.
ployes in the Public Departments.
The subject of the Central American Treaty was
then taken up, and Mr.. CLAYTON 0hough laborlng
under indisposition resumed and concluded his Ella
borate and mastery speech in defence Of the Treaty
and in reply to the equally elaborate and very able
speech Of Mr.. CAss. The subject was then laid on
the table, probably not to be again taken up.
In the HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, a spirit
alike ardent and honorable to that displayed in the
Senate towards the rescuers of the San francisco
sufferers was manifested by the eagerness Of many
members to introduce propositions for honors and
rewards to the brave commanders of the succorine
vessels An account of the proceedings on the sub
;ect will be found under the proper head.
THE AsT-REST CASES IN New YoRK.-The Albany
Register Of Friday contains the opinions Of the Judges
the Court Of Appeals of that State in the suit OF the Peo
u. "a VIM. p Van Rensselaer,. They review the Rens
1,ph he alt tt tr