Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-02-10

proper element of the seaman but. as he c,p.
not always be there, the second, or reduced nav.
is placed at such an amount as to enable him,
when on shore, to live respectfully and comfor-
taioy, as an officer of the public ought 1t is al
SO proposed little to vary the pay, according to
ne rate OF the vessel and the amount of the
iorce, because the labor and responsibility of the
oihcer vary with them.
Inc proposed compensation TO admirals . nd conn
ooorcs is as low as regard to the expenses of their
stations, the skill they ought to uosscss and ,b,
welSht OF responsibility which must rest upon them
VIII permit and II Will be found upon examination
10 DC much inferior TO the pay of the same GRADES of
ofcerS III any other service and less than one half
the compensation allowed them by several Of the
most Important naval powers. The present pay of
captains was fixed more than twenty wears a,o.
when we had cnly frigates to command. and is sun.
pose" now To be proper for frgates of tie smallest
class BUT that an increase, or diminution should
nc mace, as the vessel is larger or smaller The
pay OF masters and leutenants comnautinr hears
just proportion To that of captain, and is left at its
present amount. That of liueienants generally is
propoltioncd TO the nature of the service ,hrv rem
der.
AS the sailing masters must have high oualifca-
uons 10 pass their examination, and are out of the
inc oil promotion, except III extraordinary cases an
increase OF pay is proposed, and that ii be gradual
ted by the rate OF the vessel in which they arc employ
nv
the existing laws, but have established paw are
placod>on proper footing in reference to their du
ties, and the promotions they may EXPECT The
suo-lleutenancy IS middle rank between the l,u-
tenant and mldshipnan: but, to present cverv in
ducement to the midshpncn for excrtion and good
conduct, an addition of pay is given 10 those who
meritorous, and have asscd their examination
and for whom there is place in the grade of sub
heu'enants; and they also be preferred to o.
ther mldshipmcn in the same vessel or squadron as
masters mates, and for acting appointments when
they shall be necessary No additional paw is pro-
posed for the purser: his compensation arises prn-
cipaly, IRON other sources, and is usually in pro-
portion TO ms age and service, and the rate of the
vessel he Is m small addition the paw of boat
swans, guniIers, carpenters, aud samakers i'm the
larger vessels, ought TO be de and by enlarpinr
the number, and regulating the pay of the petty Of
hcers justice Will be done TO them and the seamcn
generally, stimulated to good conduct. Schoomas-
tiers are proposed for the tvs highest rates of vessels
and as we have yet school for the instruction Of
young officers a. as the duties Of the chaplans both
as clergynen and teachers, demand purity of cha
racter, enlargement of mind, and scientific attain
nents, higher salary would he useful TO secure the
services OF those who are worthy of the station
NO portion OF the present system requires more
amendment than the surgical department. in refer
ence as well 10 the manner OF admission into it, as
the government and payment of il. No one ought
to be appointed surgeons mate until after a salts
factory examination, proving his competency and
no mate be made surgeon, until he has, by suci-
emf service, and another examination, Proved that
he is worthy Of promotion.
But the directions on this subject belong properly
10 the code OF rules and regulations. The proposed
bill IS confined, principally, the pay, and pre-
scroes that which is suited the time and nature
OF the services performed. The pay of sureenon's
mate Is lett at present. and is not to be increased
Tor any cause But, after two years service he Is
permitted 10 have ar examination. preparatory to
MS appointment as surgeon; and, if he pass it with
credit, and be recommended for promotion, mode
rate addition Is TO be made. In like manner the
pay of the surgeon is remain the same for two
years. after which 1t is be increased AT the end of
every SECOND year OF active service until amounts
to $ 40 per month, and eight ratons Der day.
When he IS rewarded by permanent station either
at Navy Yard or Hospital, he has fixed and
competent salary. This system, while il renders
justice to those who have performed duty will it is
hoped, induce zeal in acquiring science and secure
the active and entire services of sklfl men, on
whom so much OF the comfort and success of the
Navy depend. Guided by the reasoning applicable
to the case, and by experiments made elsewhere. il
IS believed that large saving may be effected by
detalhng one or more i%telligent surgeons to pur-
chase the medical stores and supplies direct such
fitted for the size of the vessel and tho ma
ture and length of the voyage and guard against
ignorance and extravaganza III that Department.
This object may be accomplished under the proyisi-
ons of the bill.
The compensation for recruiting is estimated by
the liabilities and expense attending it, and is earu
lated 10 save about S 1000 per year.
An entire change is proposed in the mode of nav
ing officers at the Yards, and fixed salaries are eiy-
en-, proporhoned to their duties and expenses and
in lieu of all the allowances now made excent for
house rent, where no quarters are provided The
same principle IS applied and salaries given, in all
cases whHfe the officer is not engaged in active SER
vice, or is on furlough. This change is recommend
cd by the certainty and economy which il will in
roddcc. Indeed, the whole scheme is DESIGNED Tn
reduce as far as possible all pay and allowances 10
fixed Sums; limiting the dis retion of the Dcpayt
menf, and of the accountins officers, and lesseninp
the contingent expenses of the establishment.
Regulations for distributir prize money have
been introduced, because Immediately connected
with tho provisions of tine bill, and because those
now III force are uncertain and UNEQUAL in their
operation; giving i'll some cases, to suDcrior and
responsible officers, much less than to persons who
have inferior rank and responsibility. One of the
principal changes is addition of five pcr cent N
commanders of fleets, squadrons, and vessels, who
are answerable for the detentions and cap,res and
bear alone the damages for mistake or error in the
exercise of their power a large portion of pro6.
ought to be the reward of this responsibility.
The tables and estimates which are amended N
the bill are designed to exhibit, in the PLANES, mode
the effect of the proposed organization upon the pub-
lie treasury, in peace and war, with the force which
is now IN commission, with that which it is advised
to put in commission, and when all the vessels.
built and building. shall be in active service The
comparison which they afford between the existing
system, AMI that which is recommended, cannot, il
IS believed, fail to create favorable feeling towards
the latter
Table c is an estimate Of the expense of our pre-
sent Naval establishment, with the force in commits;
sion, which is mentioned in the report at the COM
rnnncnIncr,t nf tho sns-in, 4 =