Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-12-29
1924 197 %

PRivArEER PENSION rUHD.
The number Of priyaleer pensioners is 80. The an.
nual amount required to pay them IS 81 SCI No pay
nens were made to these pensioners during the past
year. the prvneer pension fund had been exhausted
This fund, 1t " b. perceived, failed in lc3G; and,
consequently, payments have been made since that
time Tie subject brought to The notice Of The Pre-.
sden in former reports from this Department; and
have only TO add, that as in conformity with The law
tabsing and aPproPrating this fund the certificates Of
pensions granted during li:e i; would appear hat
the nation stands pied gcd 10 furnish the U fulfill
ing the obligation.
NAVAL HOSPITAL FUND.
The balance in the Treasury to the credit Of This fusd
the st October, 1887, was SSJl 202 50
Receipts to The Isl October, 1888 81 ,2i2 80
I254l5 q
Expenditure 10 the l.: October 1888 1915 30
Balance SI2347U y
The CONSTRUCTION Of dry dock at some point III the
ho:bo Of New York has been heretofore repeatedly
commended by this Department. ana is every Year he
coming NOR" necessary To lie purposes OF linz Navy
Whatever diversity Of opinion may exist the most
gi5e SITE all {" uu!e in favor Of the object
The two docks at Norfolk and Boston entirely in.
sufficient tUnret the requirements OF the service; delays
in repairing ships, nj all times injurious, and in of
dangerous 10 the interest and safety Of The country,
frequently occur in consequences Of there being
cant dock 10 receive thea; aud this moment two
line OF battle ships lying New York in dscay"d
and 'apldy decsying slate, wc! neither b: repair.
ed where they are, rcnIoVcd cisew here for that pr
pose without g!cGt risk and expense.
The subject Ct naval academy has also been ,Gorr
than once presented for consde alton Such al nsi-
tu.!on is earnest; desired by lie officers Of IL. Navy
md 1t IS believed would greatly coudrce 10 tho herefi
0: the service generally The rroprety OF alioding
young mds:;pnsn The means and oppo; iuUi;y for the
acquisition OF thai kHu~ ledge AMI those sciences which
are either absolutely necessary ghy useful 10 hr
profess would hu 80 been By Con.
nrrss in the liberal provision for ;rncrfa and professors
Of mathematics on boait ships "E war and at the
principal Tavr Yards Those, however, who have hal
the best opportunities .nT observing The practical opera
ton of this s:sem are Of opinion tiGt II dces not an.
the purposes for which II Intended, and rar
other and more citaiua means required. Tavai
academy, which should combnr The acquisition 0i those
Sciences and thst knowledge without which Professions!
duties cannot be performed To the public satisfaction,
With that pacca experience which s II possible. sill!
Indispensable, would, in my opinion. add liuie 20
the expense Of the pTsss defective system ard be Ol
lowed by benefits which would far than repay The
cost of such an establishment
The attention of the President and Congress IS also
solicited to that part Of the estimates of the Board Of
Navy Commissioners which cGnelnplGtes the building
o; Eve briggs schoonsrs III, frames of which have been
collected under the law for the gradual Improvement of
the Navy and which required for despatch vessels,
surveys, and other purposes.
II is presumed that no arguments are neceFF"Ty to
enforce the rop!iry Of retaining sufficient number oil
ships ia commission 30 Afford active service 10 the
cfcers of The Navy Sucl service is manit"s'ly
;al to discipline experience. and to those habits Of
hardhG0d, without which M Officer can adequately fulfil
his drIy The practical experience necessary 10
in any other profession is most emphauciiy
in that OF seaman; the sell possession ard sk required
meet the exposures and dangers incident 10 sea
P. both in peace and in var, only he acquired on
The seas; the coneqs which result from Idle
and neglect in all Other conditions Of life will as
suredly follow in this: and charged The officer IS with
protecting The property well defending the rights
aud honor Of his county, his ncapacity is not legs dis
honorable to himself ihsn injurious 10 her Unless
however, his Country affords him opportunities OF &C
INV
active service il would DC unjust 10 complain c his
inability tu peinrin these high duties and it - only %he
he declines these opportunities That he can lie larry
charged with being ignorant Of what he has never been
permitted to learn.
Experience has also demonstrated, that it is only By
frequency Of active service al that the otherwise
unavoidable consequences OF long peace can IN any
degree be be arrested. All other eXpedients will be-
found either entirely useless only partially operative;
and abstain from suggesting material alterations in
the system of the service not only tor thai reaSon but
because INV limited experience in This Department has
given sufficient confidence in ny own opinions,
perhaps entitled them TO the consideration o. others
There Other strong and imposing reasons for keep
ing up the present naval establishment OF the U. 5 in
full vgor and activity.
The unremi,!ing attention which, since the late war
with England and the secrets disclosed has been paid
~ the maritime powers of Europe to The improvement
and perfection Of their ships Of and OF naval dsci-
Milne calls for awakened vigilance our part. The posi-
ton Of the s, remote as i, is from the scene OF Euro
mean rivalry affords no immunity from lis consequences
Commerce makes n,ighbors Of all nations and the
hics of interest or ambition between any two
~ fail of involving many others Against such linni
men, contingencies an adcqua'a nava! force, keeping
pace with the and resources of lhe country
well manned and, above all well disciplined, is our
most effectua security. II is equally recommended ny
lis comprehensive sphere Of action, The facility with
which il can be directed 10 distant and various points
ard by lis freedom from almost all those objections which
wise people SO Justly cherish towards great military
establishments In addition 10 these considerations i,
I.I pnft ha n,,niS Slate.
Rs the best guardian of their ag wherever it s carried
by their enterprise well as by having largely
lbuled 10 tina, fund of national reputation, which being
common ession, constitutes one Of the strongest
bonds of our Union
Respectfully submitted. K. PAULDiNG.
To tie President O.; tie United STATES.