Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-12-14

while the United states MARINE was e"',i
ia few frigates aud smaller vessels, no advan.
tage could have been gained, IN any po'u' o'
view, from higher grades in the Naval service
than thar of Captain. But since the great IN.
crease in the number and size OF the United
States vessels of war. and as occasions arwe IN
the service for their combination into fleets or
souadrons. other duties arduous aud responsible,
and recurring the possession OF superior nauuca'
science aud general intelligence. devolve upon
their commanders. These higher degrees OF
qualification for the service the fruit OF long ana
unremitting devotion to their requirement. merit
a correspondent elevation IN professional rank
and distinction.
1t mas been supposed, also, that superior rank
has tendency to secure the enforcement Oh us
cipline. inasmuch as the orders IT superior are
more readily and faithfully observed than those
Of one Of equal grade.
The increase may certainly 6bviate some caus-
es of irritation in the intercourse OF the ohicers
of the Navy with those of foreign nations. the
least powerful of which have higher graues ,''ah
are known in this service, and universally ciai,'
honors and precedence according to their rahh'
These must either be yielded. or intercourse
suspended; and this could not but result inJur,
ouslv. should it be necessary tor the On'ted
States vessels to cooperate with those Vi ot'c'
nations in any difficult naval enterprise.
The subject of an increase Of the pay oil the
officers of the Navy has heretofore been brought
to ,our consideration; and YOU are again respect
fully referred TO the suggestions offered III the
report made to You on the first December last
la anticipation that this measure will receive
favorable consideration, estimates. founded on
the scale of increased compensation proposed at
the last session of Congress, are herewith trans
mitted.
The authority which is given to the depart
ment to make allowances out of the contingent
fund to cover the expenses of the officers oil the
Navy, for various incidental purposes, forms an
important item in its duties and powers. Inc
disposition of this large fund is wholly within
the control of the Secretary of the Navy and ITS
application only limited by his sense OF justice
aud expedlency.
Without urging that this discretion has. at any
time, been improperly or unjustly exercised, 1t
may be said that it unquestionably offers the
means of committing great abuses by eXtraVaSah'
grants or allowances to some, While these pen
efts may be wholly withheld from others
As far as it is practicable, these allowances
now contingent. should he specifically deslgnat-
ed. securing. without the abuse of the fund. just
return to the parties for the sums necessarily
expended for such incidental purposes.
This, in many cases. NAV be effected by 'eSis-
lative euactments. particularly as relates to IRA
Yelling expenses, attendance on courts mar'iai'
either as members or witnesses, the pay OF Judge
Advocates. and to officers engaged on extra uu'y
bevond the limits of their stations, &c.
| In the absence of precise legal provision on
these points, the allowances in future will be con-
fined strictly to the sums believed TO be necessa-
nv to meet the expenses of officers so employed.
In the report made to the honorable the Chair
man of the Committee on Naval Affairs IN the
House of Representatives, on the 2lst OF Janua-
nv last, a recommendation was offered, proposing
some modification in the powers and duties OF
the Board of Commissioners OF the Navy.
The Department has not found cause TO change
the opinion then expressed, that division OF the
duties of the Navy Board would have tenden-
CIV to secure the discharge oil ITS various duties
more for the public benefit; that 1t would esPe,,
cially favor this. bv directing 1.-the undivided
attention of the officer to the class OF duties
which NAV be confded tohis management; "that
this exclusive devotion of his time und talents
to single train of Sc, vices woulu enable him TO at
tain more intimate knowledge Of their interests,
/ TO adopt better system for their execution, and
- that it would secure stronger individual res
possibility for their faithful discharge"
The considerations enumerated above offer their
own recommendations: and being IN concurrence
with the sentiments of the Board itself, body
which from experience has derived the means OF
forming correct opinions on the subject. it may
| be fairly presumed that the adoption of the meas
ure will result in much public utility.
The Documents marked II. |. K. show the
number Of deaths. ,lismissas. and designations,
which have occurred within the present year.
The estimates for the year 1851, are herewith
transmitted, marked l..
The appropriations for the present year have
been found more than sufficient for its current
expenditures; and there will remain of them an
unexpended balance probably exceeding one mil
lion of dollars.
| II has been doubted by many able and obser-
want officers of the Navy whether the marine
corps, %, CO, shutting part of the naval force,
might not be dispensed With. without materially
diminishing It's efficiency On this point, the
opinions of many of the superior officers of the
Navy were called for, and presented TO the hon
orable Chairman of the Committee on Naval Al
fairs of the Senate, during the last session of
CONGRESS-. These, it appeared. were by no means
in accordance with each other; and this dversi-