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22d Congress.] |
No. 513. |
[2d Session: |
ON THE CLAIM OF OFFICERS OF THE MARINE CORPS TO THE LIKE PAY AND ALLOWANCES AS OFFICERS OF THE ARMY, OF THE SAME GRADES, WHILE DOING DUTY ON SHORE.
COMMUNICATED TO THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, FEBRUARY 26, 1833.
Mr. Watmough, from the Committee on Naval Affairs, to whom was referred the memorial of L. Twiggs, a captain of the United States marine corps, as well for himself as others, reported:
That, having duly examined the same, the memorialists claim the same allowances of pay and rations as, by the act of March 2d, 1827, are granted to captains and subalterns of the army of the United States, on the ground that they are "governed by the same regulations while doing duty on shore, perform the same duties, and are under the same responsibilities with respect to clothing, arms and accoutrements of the respective detachments or posts that may be under their command, as captains of the army of the United States are under while in actual command;" and, further, that they believe "that Congress, in establishing the marine corps, designed to place the officers of said corps on the same footing with officers of like grade in the army, as respects pay and emoluments," &c., &c.; your committee can see no reason why the law of 2d March, 1827. should not be made applicable to the officers of the marines. It is certain they are subject to the same rules and regulations while acting on shore; are at all times subject to the like expense, and frequently to greater, when on foreign stations; and are liable to the same responsibilities with respect to clothing, arms and accoutrements as the officers of the army of the United States. Their duties are certainly not less arduous; and, it is believed, have ever been fulfilled with equal credit to themselves and honor to the country; while, on many points of paramount importance to the soldier and man of honor, their advantages fall far short of those which are extended to similar grades in the army. The principle, then, being admitted of their title to the claim urged of admission to an equal footing with officers of like grades in the army, it is believed that no argument can be brought to bear against their rights to the back pay and allowances which have been allowed to the officers of the army under the act above referred to.
Your committee, therefore, ask leave to introduce a bill.