Wednesday, January 20.
Military Peace Establishment.
The House then took up the amendment to the bill fixing the Military Peace Establishment.
Mr. Bayard moved to strike out the office of Brigadier General. He said there could not be any occasion for such an officer, as the men were scattered over the whole extent of our frontiers and Atlantic coast, and placed in small divisions.
This brought on a debate which was continued until after three o'clock.
The question was taken by yeas and nays for striking out—36 against it, 54 for it.
Mr. Bayard moved to strike out the office of colonel, and add one to the number of majors; but it was not agreed to.
The bill proposed to give those officers who should be deranged, three months' pay when they were dismissed from the service.
Mr. Griswold moved to strike out "three months," that a greater compensation might be given to those who have grown gray in the service of their country. He thought more was due to them than what the bill proposed to allow.
Mr. Varnum said, his own opinion was in favor of a greater compensation; but he owed it to a majority of that House, to yield his opinion to what they had fixed it at. He said there was nothing due to those officers, as nothing had been promised them.
Mr. Mitchill was in favor of striking out, for the purpose of inserting a compensation proportionate to the length of time the officers had been in service.
Mr. Bacon differed as to the principle laid down by gentlemen. When officers were wanted, there was great competition for the appointments. They were desirous to receive the pay and emoluments. He did not think there was any thing due to them.
Mr. S. Smith was for pursuing some system in this business, and keeping to a uniform principle. When a reduction was made in 1796, six months' pay and subsistence was granted. He would be in favor of that at this time.
Mr. Dana believed those officers accepted their appointments under an idea of its being the permanent Peace Establishment, and therefore something was due to them when dismissed from the public service.
Mr. Smilie said, they knew the terms on which they entered the service, and they entered voluntarily. How could any thing, then, be due to them? It would be more proper to give the men something when disbanded than to provide for the officers. It was not long since that about forty were wanted, and there were thirteen hundred applications. Men could not always be obtained. When the ten regiments were ordered to be raised, the officers were soon obtained; but, after recruiting a long time, the proper number of men could not be procured.
The question for striking out was taken by yeas and nays—for it 26, against it 56.
Mr. S. Smith made a motion to raise it to the same as was granted in 1796.
Mr. Eustis advocated it, but it was not carried, there being 26 for it, and 45 against it.
The bill was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading to-morrow.