Year: 1870

on the floor of Congress on the subject OF
naval appropriations. Taxpayers in particular
cannot fail to applaud the wise Legislation that
cut down the pay of officers, particularly that
of the Admiral, Vice Admiral and Rear
Admirals who led our fleets and gained such
important victories over the enemies Of the
Union. The Admiral, who for the past year
has been several times at deaths door, owing
to the exposure he underwent during the war.
and has been subjected to extraordinary ex-
penses for medical purposes, has had his pay
reduced one thousand three hundred and thirty
three dollars o year. This reduction Is made
just after the return of Admiral Farragut from
a cruise in which he was obliged to spend thirty
thousand dollars from his private means to
enable him TO return the civilities extended
while in the Mediterranean, when the comforts
of life and the absence Of care for the future
are most essential. These courtesies were as
much intended to do honor to the American
flag as to the gallant old Admiral who has con-
ferred renown on the American navy which
cannot be estimated by dollars and cents.
While Admiral Farragut was abroad returning
civilties to our flag at his own expense for
eign admrals were entertaining him at the ex-
pense of their governments out of annual
allowances called stable money" which are
entirely independent Of their pay. Their pay
proper is used for the expense of maintaining
their families while they are absent from home;
and liberal foreign government provides
that those who are dependent on their officers
commanding abroad shall suffer no inconve-
nience. There is but one admiral in our navy,
and it is miserable economy to take from him
ne-tenth part of his. pay at time when he
most needs it-a time Of sickness and suffer-
ing.


The pay of the Vice Admiral is reduced con
shore duty" where he is now employed,
nearly one thousand dollars, and the moderate
sum of three hundred and thirty-three dollars
per annum only is taken from his s'sea pay"
which latter compensation he will not in all
probability enjoy more than once during his
lifetime. The pay of this officer is reduced at
time when he is exposed to more than ordt-
nary expenses, and in city whore the cost of
living is greatly beyond that of other places.
The rear admirals are cut down six hundred
dollars year, and so on with the commodores
and captains, while the younger officers are
not quite so hardly dealt with.


The navy would be satisfied with the pay to
which it seems the army have objected; and
why there is this wide discrimination between
the two arms of the service it is hard to under
stand. The public can only see in it an act of
gross injustice, and one that will reflect upon
those who have acted so conspicuously in the
matter against the shavy. There were some
members who exerted themselves nobly to pre-
vent the pay being cut down 30 ruthlessly, but
s'fair and smooth words butter no parsnips,'
and the only remedy the officers have is to
take in reef and sail close to the wind. We
have confidence in the conservative element in
the Senate; and hope that they will stand firm
and see that no harm comes to those who
perilled all in the defence of the Union, and
who under any other government would be so
provided for that they would want for nothing
during the rest of their lives


1t is sad thing to see nation made to
appear ungrateful through representatives
who have so well taken care of themselves
while they are consigning others to short
allowance, hardly enough to keep them from
penury. The career of naval officer is quite
different from that of person in any other
profession. Most men in mature life retire
with at least a competency, and frequently
have opportunities to amass fortunes even, If
they improve them. An officer of the navy,
| after running brilliant career, is, at the age
of sixty-two, consigned to retired list with q
| salary Of two thousand dollars per annum, and
no matter how great services he may have
rendered the country he gets so much and nc
more. For this reason his pay while on the
active list should be sufficient to enable him
to lay by small portion for his declining
| years. but this the vultures and davis won't
let him do. They glory in taking from the
naval officer, SO that he may not equal them in
any of the comforts of life. There is scarcely


member of Congress whose pay is not equal


to ten thousand year, taking into considera.
ton the general allowances and those fol


travel. These matters however, are kept ir


obscurity, and can only be estimated by the


large amount of money voted annually fol


members pay and expenses. No one be-


grudges it to them; they are welcome to it ALL


and more besides; but they should remember


that this pay is granted members for five OF


six months service only during the year, a


the end of which time they can return to theil


homes and avocations. On the other hand


the pay Of an officer is for hardships on lane


and sea, in storm and battle, and all earned


by the sweat of the brow.


Those gentlemen who claim to lead the


republican party in the House, and who show


their devotion to its principles by endeavorinl


to find fault with the administration, have {


hard record to settle with the yeomanry wht


will meet them on their return home. Th'
| oroot aeoci ationc of workinumen that eytanf