The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1855-11-14
From lhe National In.eIIiseneer.
THE PAY OF LIEUT.. GEN. SCOTT.

THE PAY OF LIEUT.. GEN. SCOTT.
When We referred, several days ago, TO
the decision BY the Executive that General
Scott was entitled to the pay consequent up,
on his title as Lieutenant General, we had
no reference to the details, but to the princi.
pie itself. We took il for granted, the law
Of l.qs expressly stating the pay and emol-
uments to be allowed, that there could be no
difficulty on the part Of the accounting Off,
GERS in making the proper payment. II. how
ever. there shall have arisen unexpectedly,
any doubt upon matter apparently 50 plain,
We haye confidence that Congress prompt
" give ample power to carry on It's own just
and bcneficent intentions and the peoples
unJoubted desires. We copy the following
on the subject from a journal published at
y. York, where Gen. Scott, at present, has
his head quarters:
The news that Gen. SCOTS claim for back
pay and for increased future pay has been
allowed turns Out mistake. The shadow Of
Justice has been awarded, but the substance
denied the word Of promise kept 10 the ear,
but broken to the hope. The Attorney Gen
eral has fully decided ia the Generals favor
the principle Of the law. The Secretary of
War, however, had carefully reserved TO HIM
self the Interpretation aud the adjustment,
and has used the authority thus reserved to
defeat the claim almost entirely. The his
tory Il the case we understand to be as iol-
lows -
Gen. scott submitted his accounts IN de-
tail lor the par, ration>, aud other allowan-
ces uf Li.uienant General, basIng his claim
10 the alleged revival Of the law % 1898,
! 10 - far a. concerned the incidents Of that
gtade, by the joint resolution Of 1855, re-
qaesting that, Il his accounts we're objected
10, tbey should be referred to the Attorney
General for his decision, as the judicial Ofil :
Ger Of the Executive Government. Secreta-
~ Davis laid b fore the Attorney General
Tor his opinion, not the accounts, as request
Ell, not tie question what was due, but the
simple question whether any law existed hx-
ling tie pay and allowances Of Lieutenant
tieneral. The Attorney General, 10 reply,
decide. fully 10 favor Of Gen. Scott, that
such law dues exist in the act Of 1913, but
stops here, saying truly that he isnecessari.
Is precluded by the limited terms Of the
question submitted, aud By tie reservation
II tie Secretary d War, from going further
i ntn tie ease. Admitting the principle
lIaid dnnn bs the Attorney General, the AL.
ministraliun has taken upon itself 70 inter-
prrt all questions II pay anil allowance I'M
der the law, and 10 adjust The accounts &C.
rntding to their own views. The result is,
that 81 the Generals claim they have admit
ted 10 his credit only portion Of less than
ane-third. However much regret may be
felt az learning the disappointment Of the
veteran suldier, our regret must be increased
Iby the reflection tLat his accounts have moi
been allowed 20 90, as he requested, 20 th'
abitrament VI the law officers Of the Govern
meut. We trust, aud are inclined 20 belie,,
flat tie General will not stop to sccept I
pittante ~ Ear below his claims. his merits
the intention 81 the law, and the wishes Of th,
people. awarded under such circumstances
n. v Eypr,s.