Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1848-12-20

T tife. tie Improvements WHICH tneN
NAV require. TO render them more effici
ent in the long frontier Of our extended
empire.
He refers with great perspicuity and
force 10 the position Of affairs in Oregon
connected with the military service-tn
the movements Of troops of New Mexico
to the amount and disposition of the
contributions which we levied in Mexico
during the war-so the settlement of the
accounts Of the disbursing officers. for
which some regulations are vet to be made
by law. He pays high compliment 10
the manner i'm which the military bureaus
have discharged their important duties
He refers to the propriety Of increasing
the medical corps. in consequence Of the
multi plic alton ofmli.arv posts. He refers
to the report of the Chief Engineer. and
the prosecution Of the plans for erecting
tor,ihcations. and to the organization Of a
board. which is now under orders for Cali
fornia and Oregon. for selecting the proper
sites for Notifications az well as for naval
establishments. lie estimates the appro-
priatons for the army proper for the next
fiscal year at S4.432. 286.-The Secretary
refers to the state Of the Pension Office
10 the comprehensive and interesting re.
port on Indian relations from the Commits
sioner of Indian Affairs to the treaties
made with certain tribes-to the efforts
made to check the use Of ardent spirits
among them-and to the multiplication Of
Indian schools. lie also again urges the
settlement Of California claims; a retired
list of officers of the army. and an asylum
for disabled and WORKOUT soldiers.
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
NAvy.-The Union Of yesterday contains
the annual report Of the Secretary Of the
Navy. 1t presents highly gratifying
view Of tina, important department of the
public service. and many valuable sugges-
tons for its Improvement.
During the past year. two new ships OF
war-the Vermont (ship-ofthe -line) and
the St. Lawrence Qrigate )-havc been
launched; and the construction Of the four
war steamships authorised by law is in
satisfactory progress. The report gives a
clear and succinct account Of the service
performed by our squadrons on the East
Indian. Mediterranean, Brazilian and Afri
can stations; and notices in terms of high
and just commentator, the very valuable
services performed under great difficulties
ny the SVuduTOI1S III the SulI Oh MEXICO
and in the Pacific during the war with
Mexico. In relating to promotions in the
Navy, and the beneficial effects Of the
Naval School. the Secretary says: -.t
'No one can doubt that prom otions in
the navy should be made on the principle
of merit, service, and the capacity for duty
Yet the tendency Of such system, with
out the regulation of law, might be to fos-
ter favoritiSm, to promote a partial dispen-
sation Of Executive favor, and to with
hold from modest and unobtrusive merit
the reward justly due it.
Under our present system. promotions
are generally made by seniority or date of
commission; and as the laws now stand,
I am not prepared to say that unfavorable
for the interests Of the public service as
this often proves. any other plan which the
Executive can adopt would be free from
great objections.
The safest and best mode, il appears to
me, is to require by law that officers rem
dered unfit for duty. otherwise than by
wounds received in battle, or not qualified
for promotion to higher grades. should be
placed. on reduced pay. out of the line oil
promotion. Justice and policy would re-
quire that great care should be taken
against the exercise Of such power ca.
priciouslv. or without due regard to the
rights Of ALL
/ The beneficial effects Of the Naval
School at Annapolis upon service are al.
ready beginning to be sensibly felt. The
truth is admitted by all, that the services
required Of officers are more Of the he ad
than the hand.-The result Of experience
in the army-that in proportion as educa.
ton has been encouraged and the means
Of acquiring it afforded, SO have the charac-
ter and efficiency Of the officers been i'm.
proved-will not fail TO be confirmed in the
navy. An accomplished naval office,
must understand all the science connected
with navigation: he ought to be familiar
anics. with gunnery, with chemistry, with
the languages Of all nations with whom his
duty brings him in contact, and with the
laws Of his own country and Of nations.
The lad who leaves his parents at the
age of fourteen or fifteen years 10 enter
the service as a midshipman cannot be
expected 10 have laid the foundation, even
for SO broad superstructure Of knowl
edge The Naval School promises &c
furnish the means of attaining these ends
so important tor the navy. II Will produce
I trust, the same happy fruits of skill and
knowledge which The Military Academy
has produced for the army.-ln its pre-
sent condition, and for some time to come
do not apprehend that it will be neces
sary for Congress to regulate the details o
the school by law, which could only b.
modified. if found injudicious, by fht
tardy process of repeal or amendment o
the law. After a larger practical expert
ence, the department. aided by the Learned
and judicious professors on duty at tn
school. and by the officers of the navy VIII
take deep interest in the subject, vii
doubtless be prepared to present NOR
complete system. A necessary appen
dage TO the institution is vessel Of tn
navy. fitted as school Of practice i
. gunnery and navigation. earnestly re
commend that the annronviaeion for tn