The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-05-09

grades with more officers than are reousi,e for
duty, and the creating civil shore stations for the
employment, has ever seemed 10 me impolitic.
and attended with injury to the officers them.
selves. 1t is only an active and
a devoted career on his own element than can
constitute the accomplished seaman and skilful
commander. This is the only path for the ac-
qnirement OF distinction, honor, and success, when
The country calls upon him to meet the foe ON
the ocean. ] would therefore recommend a re-
Organization of the navy-yards, and the suppress
sion oil shore stations as much as possible. .
In the views of which have at differ
emf times set forth on naval subjects. it has been
main point with me not only 10 restric, officers
as much possible from civil service, but also TO
Keep their numbers withia the wants Of our navy
IN peace Anc 10 these views have been &C I.
tua'ed by considerations of permanent advantage
To the officers themselves and TO the service in
general tor 1t is at all times good policy to keep
In mind that, IN our country, n naval establish
ment can be as readily destroyed by the hand
OF proinson as by that of penury. BY prescribing
limit to 1t by law, the executive department
would be relieved from the pressure Of applicants,
the corps would be rendered more select, and the
promotions less irregular and more satisfactory in
regard to competency and talent"
| In ascer'ainlng the proper limits to appoint
ments OF each grade. the statute book furnishes
the best exposition Of the purposes of Congress.
| Previous 10 1913 the number had been limited
by law. In lS42. to check system of numerous
promotions, Congress forbade an increase beyond
the number In service at fixed dates.
| For the evil already existing, of supernumerary
officers, no Immediate remedy was provided. but
the second section of the act of Sd March, 1919,
was neither repealed nor modified. By that sec
ton it was enacted {" that the President be. and
he Is hereby, authorized TO appoint such officers.
and TO employ the number of seamen, which NAV
be necessary for such vessels as are authorized by
law TO be put In commission, any law TO the con-
trary Notwithstanding"
1t would appear, therefore, that it had been the
manifest intention of Congress to authorize the
appointment of such officers, and ST n only, as
were necessary for " such vessels az are author
lzed by law 10 be put in commission" The great
Increase which subsequently, took place seems
plainly never TO have been contemplated by law.
The question arises, how many are necessary
Tor the purpose indicated in the act approved
March 8, 1882 A mode for the entertainment
OF this number was suggested in communication
made 29th January, 1921, TO the House of Rep
resentatlves, by an able committee of that BODY
and il is this: "That if we retain in service in
time of peace sufficient number of officers To
officer all our ships which are built, equipped.
and launched, il will afford liberal peace es
adjustment" And the committee proposed
reduction.
AT that time, when the committee of the House
proposed reduction, there were thirty two cap.
talns, thirIy-twO commanders. and one hundred
and ninety three lentenants; the committee found
an excess of fifteen captains, of twenty comman-
ders, and of seventy lieutenants. BY inference
they recommended an establishment to consist of
but seventeen captains, twelve commanders, and
one hundred and twenty three lieutenanis A
limit was not then established, nor was reduc-
lion required by law; but the effect of the maui
ry and report was manifest the number of Off
GERS of the two highest grades for the next seven
years rather diminished than increased so that
in 1923, at the opening of the last year of Mr. J.
T. ADAMS administration, the aggregate number
OF captaiS and commanders was but sixty-two
The number in 1912, and since that time. has
been fixed at sixty eight captains, ninety seven
commanders, and three hundred and twenty seven
lleutenants. The number required to officer all
the vessels afloat in that same year, 1912, was
estimated by Commodore Stewart at eighteen
captains, eighteen commanders, and one hundred
and eighty-fve lieutenants. That is to say.
there was an excess of fifty captains of seventy
nine commanders, of one hundred and forty lieu
tenants. " But to the actual floating service"
says Commodore Stewart, " let an additional
number DO allowed for disability from age, sick
ness, or other causes. and for the supply of all
should be increased by the same number, the
commanders by three fourths, and the lieuten-
ants list by one haf'
For the ships on the stocks or to be built,
no allowance is made it will be early enough
to appoint officers for them when the times comes
for launching and employing them and the grade
of midshipmen is the school from which accom-
Plished officers may al any time be draughted
Were all the ships in ordinary to be called
into actual service in addition to those already in
commission, there could at this time at this time
De employed at sea not more than from twenty.
six TO tbirty-two captains, about thirty com.
manders, and about two hundred and fifteen lieu
enants.
Last year there were in commission az many
ships as could well be kept afoat under the limit
of seven thousand FIVE hundred seamen, and
there never were employed at sea more than
about sixteen captains, Of whom ten only com
maDded ships, and six commanded squadrens !;
about twenty-one commanders, and one hundred
and thirty one lieutenants.
IL these views are correct, in the three highest
grades, the number Of officers liable to be called
upon for active duty. after liberal allowance for
relieis aud shore stations, may be reduced--that
OF captains, from sixty eight to forty eight of
commanders. from ninety seven to fifty of lieu
tenants, from three hundred and twenty seven to
two hundred and sixty.
II.