The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-08-09
: THE PAY OF THE NAVY.

THE NATIONS DEFENDERS KEPT OUT OF THREE
MONTHS PAY-AsKING TwFNTY-EIGHr PER
CENT TO REDEEM THE C0UNTRYs oBL1GA-
TIoNs--A SUSPICIOUS SCHEME OF BROKER
AGE.
There is deep though quiet feeling OF inclination
among tho officers Of tho navy 1t the way they have
been treated in regard to their pay for the last quarter
OF the fiscal year. cndinR June 80, 1871 Their grew
snoe has solid and reasonable foundation and. unlike
the army officers. they have been suffering serious
embarrassment in silence The latter had NO appto-
priaton made Tor their services, and Congress
bes expressly for their benefit IN October. Not SO
with the navy. full and adequate appropriation
was made tor that branch OF the armed forces
of the government, but II was misapphed, in
part ana no money was paid the men and
officers OF the navy for the months OF April.
Nav and june Tnc moment it was discov
cred that the army would be inconvenienced oy
the nonacton OF Congress several prominent bankers
forward and volunteered to advance the neces-
sary iunds retaining i've per cent to meet the wants
OF the country's military defenders. Of course an
equally ready response would have been made In the
case OF the navy but the risk tho bankers would In
that instance undertake involved large uncertainty
as IL is whether Congress has tho legal
authority to replace a misapped appropriation
Secretary Robson. il is supposed, lived ahead Of MS
means, and made the appropriation LOT ono year
u
Anyhow, somebody is to blame for leaving an impor.
tant arm OF The public service without its JUST ana
well earned compensation Tor an entire cusrter OF inc
year.
when Secretary Thompson assumed once we io.9
oil last March he found examination no sumcleht
money ieit to pay The navy. and subsequently issueo
the following circuar:-
m 81 h Sav
duty the officers Of naval ssryic tss
the amount OF found by him In the treasury o. .na
the Navy' insufficient pay the Ocsrs Tor the months
Tho Secretary proposes TO retain much .: may b:
Pay the for the Of paying sl'otn'snts tS
the wives Of Officers ana so whose sS 10 are
provide for them and in this purpose the secretary iees
r. W. THOMPSON, secretary Of the Navy
SAD FIX FOR
This order spread CONSERVATION among the officers
who were not abroad "in the service OF their
country" as they had butchers, bakers' ta'lors'.
shocmakers' ana landlords bills to pay, and all OF
these people wanted their money. AS rule neitner
army nor navy officer keeps much ahead OF ms in-
come, and It will be readily conceived how embarrass'
Ing 1t must have been, especially 10 tho married men
OF the navy, when they discovered themselves de-
Thompson appeared to realize this tact, and IN the
next month, May, issued the following circular 10 the
pay officers OF the navy
CIRCULAR PAY OFFICERS.
NAVY DErARTnEST WAsnIsG1oS May , g, ls7.
ms to Ss . f win
% the under q s
payments for the months Of April May and June. But
find unable without Violating express provisions OF
law afford them airy relief In Official FORM II pos.
sesed the power would gratis me to exercis Il for their
enmeit from cxpenuihg in fiscal year any sum III ex
OF appropriations tor that year. or from involving the
the future payment " money
such appropriations IT moreover subjects any
officer who shall Violate 1t to indictment and punishment
These provisions Imperative and leave without any
official discretion Whatever At the expiration OF each
month any officer your rolls who may desire 1t
furnished by you with certificate of the accompanying
Iorm showing the due him by the TX
the law permitted be attached ~ this promise by tue
Secretary OF the Navy that the would be paid out OF
appropriation. believed there wonid be
difficulty III procuring MONEY upon IT. But rs this Is I'M
possible under the law all further transactions must be
conducted solely b~twee the officer odng tho certificate
and the person advancing the pay Respectfully, &c,
II. w. THOMPSON Secrstnry OF the Navy.
FOR GREAT NATION
Tho form Of the certificate this shapc:-
UNITED STATES -, -, ES'
To $3.50, United states Mary -
certify there Is you the books of this --