The New York herald., 1845-12-09


that end, gave the subject early and continued at
tention: and nothing but American hemp has been
ceived any contract made since into the de-
partnent Finding by short experience that to insist
On the inspection at Charestown, heretofore prsctc
ed, would be injurious TO the western planter directed
that while all who had de contracts prices based
upon Inspection and delivery at tharlestown should be
held to fulfil their engagement, purchases should be
made Of three hundred tons, during the present fiscal
year to be delivered and finally inspected at Louisville
and ST. Louis.
The subject Of lake defences reserved for special
communication.
The care of the reservations and plantations of live
oak, recommend, should be transferred to the land
Office, which alone has the proper of ascerainng
titles and which assume the charge with less
pense and greater efficiency than this department.
may ask leave during the winter to present
suggestions on the organization of the department and
The present contract system requires modification SO
tina, fraud to the United States may shield itself
der the letter Of the law contracts be given out at
prices ceeding the market price.
The balance Of appropriations hand will it is be-
lieved with She exercise OF rigid economy be sufficient
for the remainder of the fiscal year The estimates for
the next contemplate no increase in the force
poyed during the present Those for the civil depart
precisely the gr nted for the
rent year. For the Improvement of yards and docks
to be absolutely necessary Some of the shore stations
which had been peedlessly multiple d. have been abol
ished in transmitting the estimate for the remainder
am far from expressing opinion that further reduc
tion should be made The estimate for provisions and
that for pay rest the basis Ct the present restriction
by law TO thousand ive hundred men, but the
innate for pay, without proper retrenchments by Con-
gress, may prove deficient.
As the marine corps placed under the direction OF
the Navy Department. it becomes my duty to present
the estimates for its support its services shpboard
are highly valued its evil consists in its luxury of field
officers who have no duties to perform proportonate to
their pay and emoluments. During the past year this
burden has been increased By decision of your pre-
decesso addition has been made to the pay of its gal
liant colonel commandant and although the procedure
which the decision rests has had the sanction
hcts with law have not felt justified IL Withdrawing
from the consideration and decision of Congress the
Inmates Of that officer for his increased pay and the
pay Of his aid decamp an officer heretofore unknown to
the corps and OF doubtful prorrety. The marine corps
is not brigade-not even regiment II is as
senibled seldom does a full company come to-
gether 1t serves in small deachments, commanded
chiefly by junior officers Though about thirds of
the corps were, in summer shpboard all the field
officers remain ON shore OF thirteen CAPTAINS but one
is at of forty lieutenants about at At
one shors-st'tion major captain and three euten'
ants have had charge of about twenty-eight An
increase of the officers OF the corps Is therefore, not
needed for naval purposes even increase Of the
men,
For the increase of the navy estimates are pre-
sented The department awaits, on that subject the
comparison with other nations, navy poorly sup
piled with seagong steamers-which cannot indeed in
squadron, but auxiliaries of vast advantage
TIE Mississippi and the Princeton only efficient
vessels of that character the Should de
termned to increase this class OF ships desirable
that the best experience should be consulted in their
construction and that doubtful novelties, especially
such conflict with the known laws of mechanical
forces should be disregarded.
earnestly hope that gallant navy during next
year, heretofore, may perform its whole duty dis
playing the flag of republic in every ocean, protect
ing our commerce, extending the bounds of human
ing the piratical traffic in African slaves and by pre-
sence promoting the preservation of the peace of
kind.
and skfu officers who comp ,e with alaory for every
post of danger and adventure Its excel in
snip courage and fidelity to their country. Unsuited
purposes OF maritime dominion inspires respect for
the American flag in every part OF the world. Yet
gard Tor its best Interests desire to promote the vel
fare OF its meritorious officers and sense of justice to
the country induce to add that its cost dis
proporonate to its magnitude and the system of its
ganizaton and prefermens deprves merit of hope by
comforting the highest rank in the profession without
much regard to capacity or previous activity in the pub
lie service.
Age alone claims precedence though that claim
unauthorized by the constitution and unsusained by
law. Seniority demands promotion its right and the
highest rank and pay awarded the longest
Yet the chances that the Oldest not the me
iorons Excellence seeks the opportunity OF displaying
ITSELF and selected for the most perous and wasting
service; while mediocrty fails TO be employed and OBJ
tans length OF days in safe and afuent retirement
Promotion by seniority Is premium upon inactivity.
Many Of the best among tho older officers received
high promotion while comparatively in early life The
younger officers OF to-day equally full of talent and
ambition but the present system refuses them the op-
portunity of command while life is in it's vigor re-
serves it for the decline Of their powers In consequence
the average age of captains is constantly and
is already nearly sixty The average number of annual
ders from whom captains are and should be taken is
not much less than fifty From their great numbers the
little seaseryice to which they called is favorable
longevity Continue the present usage twenty years
longer and while hope will be crushed in the young
men in the service, the class of commanders will sea
be composed of none but aged men, and there will be
a captain under hreescere years and ten.
This custom discourages the most worthy, and leads
the incapable and ndolen to cling with tenaciy to their
commissions.
Why should the incapable be promotedl Why should
they be allowed to postpone the promotion of the capa
Bile Why should galantry, temperance, integrity in
the payment of debts distinction by sea weigh
more than opposite considerations Why should men
and
sion be advanced and, consequence officers with
every naval and manly virtue and the brilliancy and
vigor OF matured powers be left to wait till great age
gives them the preerment which genius, slacrity and
merit could not attain
No naval service maintain efficient and eeva.
ted character under long continuance Of system
which levels merit and demerit and tends change the
profession OF the navy from of rewarded honor
to career for livelihood II not strange under this
system that the navy contains very few officers
who have scarcely been at sea- and who have not
seen seaservce enough to accomplish them in the pro-
per qualifications of their profession.
Those that are capable-and our service abounds in
them-those and those only should be promoted. The
Like the judges OF the Supreme Court considers him.
self appointed for life. The oldest Captain when in
service, receives salary equal to that of Justice of
the Supreme Court of the United Sates the pay OF the
youngest captain, even when doing duty and only
district judges of the United States He bears the flag
of the country to foreign cmes he has authority
rons he is the protector of the and Of
our citizens abroad The body Of captains should be
body OF chosen men There should not be among the
number one OF doubtful merit. The nomination and con.
frmation to- that post should be actsi of solemnity
fixing the attention of the country, enhanced value
by approving public opinion and conceded those only
whose characters and career guarantees of honora
BILE conduct and professional merit all their life long
Selection, it objected will degenerate into favort
ism. In promotions there should certainly be no favor
The records Of tho department. the concurrent opin
ion of officers will disclose professional merit II these
could be dsregarded the Senate may interpose f the
Senate yields the voice of public opinion the press
vigilance of party the restorative influence of the popu
and 81,
y-would certainly protect merit from neglect lnds.
crmnate promotion IS injustice to the country and if
persevered in, will prove fatal to the navy
The efficiency of the service demands reduction in
the number of officers in active service awaiting it,
Sudden indiscrminate and excessive promotions com.
pei the recommendation of such reduction There are
many captains and commanders that under existing
laws were all capable of commands, and each crse to
consist Of three years. each captain would bo
in tMelve years. each commander in eighteen |