The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-12-17


been continued under the juJicious superin,cden. 0
at Commander Franklin Buchanan, and gives re-
newed promise Ut usefulness To the service. Al
the last session OF Congress. II made the s,,h
ject at no special appropriation hut permission
was given tn apply a limited sum (S2S 500) from
the existing appropriations tn g Instructions. i'm
provements, and repairs at Fort Severn" This
moderate provision has enabled the department to
make some necessary addituns Ia the accom uoda
tl"ns of the schocl. and has been found suficien,
for its economical support. II is hoped that a
similar provision will be adopted for the ensuing
year. The prpriey Of affordng Ia midshipmen
the means of acquiring that knowledge when is
essential to the skilful discharge of their profes
sonal duties has been long recognised by Congress
In its annual appropriations for instruction on bosrd
our ships Of war. In The prosecution of a lille
purpose, naval schuol. il is believed. will be found
to add little to the cost of The present defective
system. while it cannot fail TO be attended with
the most important benefits TO the navy.
Connected with the Bureau Of Ordnance and
photography is the Observatory. Besides con-
duciin9 an extensive series of astronomical obser-
vations, II is the duty Of that office TO construct
charts, prove nautical Instruments before purchase,
rate chronomelefs. and supply our armed cruisers
with the nautical books instruments, maps, and
charts necessary To their safe conduct nj sea- The
arrangement Is such as To promote economy and To
give assurance that these indispensable aids may be
relied on The observations made and published
are exclusively the work uf naval officers and are
highly creditabeto their scientific attainments-
There can he no doubt that, with their facilities
OF the Observatory, we might produce our own
nautical ephemers. for which we are now Deepen.
dent TN foreign rations, and without which our
ships that are abroad cuud moi find their wa home,
nor Those at home venture out of sight of our own
shores. A small appropriation would he sufficient
to accomplish the object; and it may well be an
| tcipated that the expenditure would be returned
by supplying our merchan, vessels with the Ameri-
can nautical almanac at cost
l invite attention to the report from the Bureau
of Medicine and Surgery. The authority to ap
point small number of assistant surgeons is me-
cessary TO the public service. Under existing cir
cumstances, II has been found necessary tn employ
citizen physicians in some of our smaller vessels
The commandment of the marine corps has prepared
estimates for the number of officers and marines
as hXed by law. am strongly impressed with
The opinion that an increase of the rank and file
OF the corps would greatly promote the efficiency
nl our ships IN their operations against Mexico
with light pieces prepared as field artillery on
| each ship, the expeditions which must include
operations on shore would derive ilnrortant aid
! from increased guards of marines
The act of August 4,h, 1912, provided that.
until otherwise ordered by Congress, officers of
| the navy shall not be increased beyond The mum
Der in the respective grades that were in the SER
vice on the LIST day of January, 1912. This re-
sirlcti"n has been construed To apply To warrant
officers. other than midshipnen. The number of
| boatswalns, gunners. carpenters, and salmakers
| happened 10 he small for the wants of the service
at the date fixed. Embarrassment is often felt
tor want of authority TO add TO the number IL
Is power which has never been abused and as
such appointments are rewards of merlorious
seamen or mechanics. il appears 10 me that the
restriction might be removed without delfiDent
TO The public interest or danger Of abuse.
l cannot conclude this report, without inviting
attention 10 the operation of the act Of Congress
OF March Sd, 1915. in regard to the appointment,
of mdshlpmen. The justice of the principle es-
tablished IS unques,ionable, and its application has
! given general satisfaction. Previously 10 its pas
sage, appointments were made without regard To
residence, and resulted in inequalities which il
Will take years TO remove. The law furbds any
Pontment from State having more than its pro
portion. Some applications for midshipmen's war.
rants have recently been made in behalf of sons
of officers who have fallen in battle, which could
not be granted, on account of their residence in
States not entitled. | recommend that the re-
striction of the law may be so far removed, that
one out of five or six vacancies, as they occur in
the grade of midshpmen, may he filled at large
irrespective of the place Of residence, in the same
manner as portion of the cadets at West Poin,
are now annually appointed Cases of peculiar
merit occasionally presenting themselves. might
| thus be provided for under the direction of the
| President
have the honor 10 be. very respectfully your
obedIenl servant. j. Y. MASON.