The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-08-29
The Navy Of the United states.

The Navy Of the United states.
| No one of our national institutions occupies q
larger share of public attention than the navy. II
has contributed largely to the renown of the coun-
try, and the best feelings of the people are warmly
enlisted in its success. II cannot be disguised, how
ever that this noble arm of the public service has
lost something Of its well earned popularity during
the few last months--at least such must be consi-
dered the fact, if Judge by the of recent
proceedings in Congress.
In looking for the causes of change in public SEN
| timent, we must not pass over the character and
services of those who are prominent among the ac-
tive.members of the profession, and to the proper
| portion which their claims of service bear TO the
emoluments and honors they enjoy.
| The Navy Board is VIGOROUSLY burden the
character and efficiency of the navy This remark
| has in the public judgment become axiom. Ge-
neral expectation is therefore anxousy turned TO
the success of the measure now before Congress for
| abollshing the Board. But the Navy Board is not
the only incubus that weighs dsaslrously the eff
cheney and popularity OF the service. There are
unfortunately too many of the senior officers who
are kept in the prominent commands enjoying all
the advantages of station, with scarcely ground of
claim derived from active service to justify the pre-
ference they receive. We have no desire to be in
vidious in what we say this subject and when
ever we have occasion to introduce names shall
do so fearlessy.
Let us look at the administration OF our own navy
yard. The officer in command Of that station, al
though very worthy and amiabe man, enjoys
reputation derived in great part from the brilliant
services Of his brother the lamened Commodore
| Oliver II. Perry. What praiseworthy service has
| Captain Matthew G. Perry ever performed! What
has been the nature and extent of his services
Who has ever heard of his being absent from his
city residence during the last ten years! Yet we
find that while other officers kept active and
arduous duty, or foreign stations, Captain Perry has
always been permitted to occupy some pet COM
mand, where he could enjoy the honors and emolu-
mens ofhis rank, without the burdens which belong
to active and arduous duty. How many of his near
connections and relations have enjoyed the like
immunities and advantages! These are questions
addressed to the understanding and common sense
OF all who desire that Partially and favoritism
should be excluded from the management of the
navy, and that merit and service should be the test
as well of reputation as of reward
A great deal has been said OF late in and out of
Congress, of the necessity that exists for economy
in the administration Of the navy. The public at
large but little aware of the abundant that
still remains for the practice Of that virtue. Is it
known, would it be believed, that while hundreds
of honest and industrious mechanics and laborers
have been discharged unpaid from the Navy Yard,
because the Government is without means to re-
deem its obligations to them, full band of foreign
musicians has been kept up at the public expense,
and their delightful music may at any time be heard
from amidst the shrubbery Of one Of our Commo-
dore's beautiful gardens, whenever that funcuonary
enterains his large circle fashionable friends with
dinner evening party. The exquisite harmony
of German and Italian music, must serve greatly to
alleviate the pangs of hunger which the poor me-
chanic and his starving family are suffering, while
they wait patiently the gate of the Navy Yard for
their hardeaned wages, without the hope OF future
employment
Is there not some room for reform in this, in
other matters that effect the character Of the navy
Let the people look these things in order that the
poor and needy may not alone suffer from the de-
preston of the times, but let those who have all
their lives basked in the sunshine of Government
favor. be taught to bear portion of the burdens
which weigh so heavily upon all classes Of public in
dustry.
We may have something more to say on this SUBJ
Iceland we shall speak thoughts plainly. Though
we are no friend to favorteism, or monopoly we are
true friends to the navy of the country.
THE CLoUEs OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IN
THIS CITY.-The prospect in view of the selection
Of a Democratic Governor in this State at the en-
suing fall election, has revived the odious and
temptibe systse of dispensing of the lucrative and
prominent ofll6s in his gift, through the influence
of private diques, composed of body of men who
are as souess as they are anti-democratic -Four of
these associations have already been organized,
each having their candidates for nomination, and
all having some kind of an Office in prospect as
their share of the spos. The Governor has ia his
appointment the lucrative and comfortable situation
OF Health officer, on which depends the Resident
Physician and Health Commissioner Then comes
the five trustees of the Seaman's Fund and Retreat;
then the six wardens of the port, and three harbor
masters. But the most important, except the Health
Officer, the rich and specializing places of In
spectors OF tobacco pot and pearl ashes; flour and
meal Measurer General of Grain Inspector of
Staves and Quercitron Bark Inspector General of
domestic distilled spirits; green hides and skins !;
faxseed and Weigher General Of merchandise :;
also SIX Inspectors of beef and pork seven of sole
leather, and six of domestic distilled spirits. Some
OF these worth from $4,000 to Sic, 900 per an
mum, or have been made to yield that sum, and
therefore they rich bones get the picking Of
The names Of those selected by these several cigue
who are the very blood-suckers of any honest
party, will be served up, and then let the young de-
mocracy of New York make theirpick, their choice,
and try their hand at a for share of the spos
obtained by their activity, their energy, their zeal,
and their honesty. Let see whether they will
submit to the controlling influence of such corrupt
ing cankers on the bodypolitic, who cry honesty,
but never Practise their professions when dealing
among their own friends, if other measures will ac-
complish their own secret ends We shall see
Look out for a great, grand, and terrific explosion
such as will make the untenilied locos Of the SIXTH
the "Butt-enders," III e"Up-enders," and the +" Sub
terraneans,' stare with establishment and wonder