Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-04-11
From the Ui,ed States Gazette
NAVAI, AFFAIRS.


ing the following queries
list. "What rule has been adopted in the Sc
lection of candidatesfor commissions or war
rants, so as 10 eoualze the honour ard advan
lape Of the appoin,n en,s in the Navy among
the several States; aid how far the same have
been eqaalized?
3D. How many oficers and midshipmen are
now known to be in he service, and are watt
ing orders from knowledge OF their disquali-
fication to be trusted in ihc service, although
their conduct may No have been such as prop
erly 10 subject them 10 b. cour, mar'ialled!
Sd. What additional laws OF regulations are,
in the judgment Of tn. Department., wanted, 10
enable the country ,o,get rid pf saeh? And,
4th. "Whether ttose reported as waiting
orders are on whole tr half pay
In reply to these questions, the lion. Mr..
Sou,hard has Addressed letter TO the Speak
err which explicitly md satisfactorily exhibits
the practice Of The department in cases OF ap'
plicaton. 3.
From tabular exhibit, il would appear that
the officers OF high rank were mostly oil The
Atlantic states. Thi, is easily accounted for,
in the fact tina: when they were admitted
into the navy, many staes now IN the union,
had not then seperate existence.
! 1t is the desire 10 make the appointments
from states, exactly, equal in proportion to
| misrepresentation in congress; and as there
exists al present great inequalities, 1t Is IN
tended thai, hereafter, appointments shall be
made 10 render the proportion EXACT. SUCH
equality, OF course, Can exist only in the grace
Of midshipmen. "It is probable that this rule
viii not operate so as 10 keep up an exact
equality IN The officers; Tor experience has
proved, that those who are appointed from The
I r.. A Al
,inue as permanently in the service as those
whose residence and f,iends are on the sea-
board and, therefore, although as many APP
poin.ments may be made, as many officers Will
not remain in the service from the interior
states
Four hundred midshipmrn are considered as
abonl the average aggregate on the ls'; all
these may no, be wanted al one time, but emer'
gencies may arise in which that number would
be necessary.
In appointments, no reference can be had
to congrr ssionai districts, these districts are
frequently changing their limits.
From many districts no applications have
been adc; from others they nave been nume-
rous, and the appointments proportionae.
10 correc, this, more than this proportion has
ben given. and will continue to be given. 10
The states Which have less than their share, un-
til they arc brought 10 The same condition as
the rest.
IN answer to the second inquiry, il is res
pectiuliy suggested, that the disqualification Of
officers to perform duty, may arise, from sick
ness, from want Of Capacity, and experience,
and bad habits. Several arc now OH leave Of
aSse9Gs q e d tbs f. et some su at
in most ms ances, the sickness being 2roduc ed
BY the very heavy duties which they have per-
formed. Want Of capacity and experience
may operate to prevent the employment Of an
officer in certain duties, while he is perfectly
prepared and competent, ~ discharge others;
and he may be unemployed, because the Ser
vices for which he Is best fitted, may not be re-
CURED a, that time.-This seldom operates TO
prevent the employment OF many, and OF none
Ia a long period.
he Secretary expresses a belief that no
corps Of Off ers Of the same extent, in this or
any other country. has ever been more exempt
from disquaIifying habits, than are the navy
officers al this moment. Many, however, kave
been dismissed, and all with great promptness,
whenever the charge of intoxication on duty
has been made out-and without such charge,
OF course, no measures could be taken with re-
ference to them.
In answer to the lhid enquiry, it may be
said that the object will be best attained by
providing proper organization ofthe navy,
system ofru!es and regulations, with we'll con-
s,ituteI tribunals for the trial and punishment
Of offenders; and by examinations, which will
prevent those "disquafcd" from being adj
vanced in the service.
In reply to the fourth enquiry, it is observed,
that all officers on temporary leave of absence
from duty, Or waiting orders, are regarded as
coming within the description Of the law, Gun
der orders for actual service" and receive full
pay. These furlough receive half their
monthly pay, This subject, and the reasoning
upon il, have been her tofore presented to con.
gross, and need not now be repeated.
None arc appointed midshipmen who are not
within Ii and 30 years Of age, and in whose ia
vor there is not saisfac tory evidence of sound
consti ution. correct habits, aud good English
education. Ii is contemplated to limit, hereaf-
scr, the age Of admission 10 eighteen.
The first six months the midshipman is in
active service at sea, when, if h. does not nee,
the appreciation Of his officers, he receives no
warrant; and, within the last wear, a new order