Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-01-26
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

Mr.. Barney ard Aaron Burr-On our first
page to-day will be found an interesting crit
cism upon Mr.. Barney's "reminiscences with
reference to Aaron Burr, from a participation
in the parade scene so graphically described
By our agreeable correspondent. We regret,
by the By, 70 have TO say that, for some days
past, &c (Nr Barney has been laying serious
ly i'll at bis quarters, g Portico street," in
this city.
p. We learn ere going to press, that our
estimable and venerable friend-the Hon.
John Barney-is dead. He breathed his last
this morning at a. IN His disease was
pneumonia, under which he had been suffer.
ing for a week PAST. Every thing that science
and kind attention could do to alleviate his
suferiogs, was done By Drs. Miller and Stone
and many kind friends who surrounded his
bedside. His age was seventy-two. His &C.
centricitles were all auiable, and served to
increase the proverbial kindness With which
his many excellent traits of character caused
all to regard him.
The Pay Of the Officers of The Army
have still to assure gentlemen at a distance
interested in the pending bill to pay the cfi-
GERS Of the army Of the United States fair
compensation for their services, that there is
no reason to doubt that it will be duly enact
ed ere the termination Of the session The
service owes much to the press of all parties
aud al sections Of the county for the unanim-
ity and zeal it has manifested in this matter
of the preservation Of the military branch of
the public service upon it's present efficient
footing, for upon the enactment of the bill in
question does that result depend. Among the
many recently published articles upon the
subject, VIC make The following pertinent ex-
tract from enc for which the servicsi is indebted
TO the New York Erentng Pon:
From an examination of this table, it will
be perceived that the grades Of Msior-Gen-
eral and st-Lieutenant Of Infantry are the
only ones that that have received any in
crease Of pay since 1IS3; that from 1853 to
1915, the pay Of BrigadieI- General, Colonels
of Mounted Corps and of ARTILLERY, Majors Of
Artillery and Second Lieutena ants Of Infantry,
was reduced, and the pay of all grades in
1915 Except those Of officers in the Artillery,
which was reduced TO that Of the correspond.
ing grades Of the Infantry was the same az is
at present allowed.
There is something anomalous in our KEEP
ing up a school at national expense of over
$780, 900 q year, at West Point, in order to
educate about one hundred young men an.
nually, better, at least in some respects, than
they can be educated anywhere else in the
country. and then compelling them to work
all the days &C their life to expose themselves
TO dangers ard hardships scarcely paralleled
IN any other profession or calling, and to keep
up style and appearance, meantime suita-
bic to their education and official associations
for compensation which would not secure the
best skill in any mechanical pursuit, and far
less than Woald be deemed living income in
any Of the educated professions
In 100, the President, Secretary Of War
and Commanding General of the army, recon-
nended to Congress the necessity of increased
compensation for the commissioned officers
and the retiring Of disabled officers from active
duty. Gen Scott ssid in his report: There
are some toTty OF fifty officers o; the army rer-
deIed non effective by the infrmities of age
by wounds, Or chronic diseases who should be
placed upon retired list" He also recon-.
mended that tie Communication of officers "a.
lions be Increased from twenty to twenty-five
cents per ration, (which latter price has al.
ways been allowed 10 officers of the nayyD and
that every commissioned officer, exclusive Of
generel oncers, be entitled 70 receive one ad-
ditional ration Per diem for every thres(iustead
OF every fre) years ne may have served or
snall serve N the army Of the United States
ne also recommended an addition 10 the pay
proper OIL all commissioned officers, the neces-
eitI ioi winch owing TO the enh anced cost Of
All the necessarIes and comforts of life). he
sugeese Will hardly be disputed anywhere
several otner plans have been recommended
ara Paruaiiy acted upon by Congress during
the last ten years, but nothing has vet hes9
accomplished There is a bill now before the
House Of Representatives, which, we under.
stand, Is satisfactory to the army and IL So
1t certainly ought to be to the public. IT.
Poses to Increase the pay proper to all grades
except those Ct Brevet Lieutenant 6ensrs,
and MAJOR General, increases the price per
ration from twenty TO twenty-five cents for ali
grades but that Of Lieutenant General. re.
tsins the present number Of servants and the
forage allowance, and graduates the nav
proper, commencing with the Brigadier Gen.
ersl and ending with the Cadet, as follows:
Proposed Total