Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-03-25
Goa D .yfemoSPEECH Of hHa
Hon r. Samuel S. Cox,
-as0hths Bnf teDrsp Unsmpioysa
GcneraH Offlcers. d,a
vINDIcATlON OF MCCLELLAN,
usomth, eiob. Of Tue.d.y.]

'mui'J tFfom the6iobe Of Tuesday.l IS 81
UNEMPLOYED GFNERAL oFFIcERs,
The Speaker stated the regular order OF
business to be the consideration of the joint
resolutions III; r.. No. 69) to drop from the
postponed until to-day, upon which the
' gentleman from Ohio Mr.. Schenck] was
entitled to the floor.
M Schenck- -Haying stated at the time
this Joint resolution was reported all that /
desire to say in explanation of 1t, 1 do not
propose at this time to claim my right to
The foor. The Joint resolution was report
ed to the House by the committee on Mill
tary Affairs In response to a resolution
passed by the House referring the subject
! do not propose to detain the House with
any remarks in reference to it, unless
amendments or remarks In opposition to 1t
should render 1t necessary.
Mr.. Cox-Imo to amend the joint res
oiution by adding the following proviso:
Proeided. That whoever any officer comprehend
cd In this act shall demand board Of inquiry aecord-
ing the rules and regulations in such cases. and
who shall be willing TO serve. that such hoard shall
be forthwith convened; and II said board shall find
is entitled he shall be at restored to active ser
vice with full pay. And provided further, That
AL GcsFs who have rsceiySd the thanks f Congress
provisions Of this act. .s7FE
Mr.. Cox-Mr. Speaker, Ipresume that the
principal object of my colleague [Mr.
Schenck] in pressing this bill and which he
avowed the other day, is an economical one.
He disclaimed having any intention to strike
Mt any particular officer or officers. am
bound to accept his disclaimer. .an
Mr.. Schenck--I beg leave to correct my
colleague In one particular. That was part
of the reason assigned. The object was
economical on the one hand, and on the other
to make room for the promotion of those
who are performing the duties of those Of
fieers. It had that double object, and IL will
have that double effect. - .mf iay6 fi1a
Mr.. Cox--Very well, understand that.
He disciaimed that anything personal was
intended by, this bill, and accept that dis
claimer In the spirit In which it was made.
The remarks have to offer will indicate
the effect of the bill upon certain officers of
the Army. y.sldNll eii uatueel
Some time ago this House passed a resolu-
tion inquiring of the War Department what
general officers were eunemployed, and what
general officers were employed, in duties
below their, grades. To that the War De-
partment made reply. Ihave it before me,
Executive Document No. s. I have ana
iyzed and classified it. find that twenty
Major Generals and forty-seven Brigadier
Generals are relieved from service, oriwere
seven officers. One thing will strike every
gentleman, and that is this: all of these Off
GERS, with the exception of oftwenty-two, are
reported as,employed In some service, valu-
able service, though it may be below their
rank. Some are employed as agents for
prisoners, commissaries, quartermasters,
andupon courts-martial, and many as super
ed men. All the officers enumerated In this
report are actively and usefully employed,
except twenty-two. This fact lessens the
force 81 nv COLLEAGUES economic Argument.
Although these Officers are empioyed In
service not equal To their rank, vet they are
rendering very faithful and fridispensable
service 70 the Government, which would
have 70 be rendered BY some one else, per-
haDs by officers Of inferior ability as well
x1tv.Sac M fIs,.s A,,k H.. az