The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-08

excluding navy yards and other public lands required for
purposes OF The navy with their costly improvements,
the reports herewith submitted show that the public
property on hand for naval purposes amounts in the
sregae to sS40037O The subdivision of duties and OF
supennendence among the several bureaus, has led to-
the Introduction OF judicious measures for the preseTva
tlon OF stores and materials and the enforcement OF
strict accountability. and thus guarded against an i'm
mense waste OF public property.
Under this wise distribution of duty aud labor econ
omy and efficiency have been promoted, great improve
menis introduced in the purchase and inspection of TIM
Der, hemp, canvass and other materials for constructions
repair, and equipment series of well conducted ex-
perments IN gannery have been made, and ordnance,
ordnance stores and munitions of war of the most i'm
proved description are procured
A ludcious system has been established and MAIN
tanned for the necessary buildings our navy yards
of mechanical and other labor in public employment;
and the navy is supplied with medicines. provisions, and
clothing OF the best quality and on economical terms,
der regulations digested with care and skill,
There 49, however, one great defect N the present
ganzaion OF the Navy Department The duty Of order.
superiniendence Of enstments of deciding, primarily. on
applications for service, relief discharges occupies
large portion OF the Secretays time, and cannot be
bearing the relation 10 the department and 10 the navy
which the Adu'ant General does to the War Department
and to the army The establishment OF bureau for this
most important duty would involve rfling expense.
There would not be required for the purpose any addi
uona clerical labor The register and clerks now engaged
the duty would be sufficient Ii cannot be doubt
ed that The effects of such Improvement in the ogan
zai,on Of the department would be highly beneficial
much wanted In the government of the navy executive
regulations form large portion OF the law OF the service
Those now in force contained in several publications,
made at different tines and in General Oraer5 OF the de-
partment 1t rs often difficult for officers to know what
they are. revision, and republication in one book,
small appropriation would probably the expense
renew my recommendation that the appointment OF a
small number OF assistant pursers may be authorized by
law.
A joint board of officers of the army and navy has
been organized with orders TO proceed to the west coast
and make examination of the coast of California and
Oregon, with view to the collection OF the necessary
information to determine on proper points for forihca
tons and navy yard, when il shall be the pleasure of
Congress TO direct such establishments navy yard
the California coast, with suitable for repair of
vessels, would IN my Judgment be OF the highest public
Importance
submit herewith the annual estimates for the support
OF the corps In obedience to the direction OF the
act of Congress of March I'd, 1917, Eat the termination OF
the Mexican the marine corps reduced, both in
and officers, TO number not exceeding the number
in service at the date of the act" The reduction of the
men was effected by discharges as they arrived in the
officers difficult 1t necessary drop from
the rolls four captains, four first leutenans and four
of officers of rank superior to that of captain and they
were instructed to designate the officers who could be
best spared from the service They made their report;
and the officers designated were dismissed without al
legged fault Copies Of the Instructions and report are
herewith submitted. The efficiency of our ships of
would be promoted il the mar ne guard allowed by the
and file of the corps from thousand TO fifteen hundred
would, in my Judgment be highly beneficial. The mum.
Der OF landsmen might be reduced TO the same amount
Such increase of the non-commissioned officers and
prlvates would Justify additional number OF commits
stoned officers equal to the number dismissed.
BY the joint resolution OF Congress, approved on the
10th of August, 1885, the officers, non-commissioned
officers, pvates and musicians of the marine corps who
have served with the army in the with Mexico,
placed in all respects 20 bounty land and other
remuneration, in addition 10 ordinary pay footing
with the officers, n-comnissoned officers, prvates,
and musicians of the army.
On consultation with the Attorney General, felt con-
strained the resolution not to include
the guards attached under orders to the ships of
the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico tdid not appear 10
me that they could be regarded serving with the army
within the meaning of the resolution did the battalion
of who marched into Mexico, and formed part
of the army Ii is known that the marine guards oil both
squadrons often land, operating the most
gallant manner with the land forces, and encounierng all
the dangers and pryatons of the service with the army
The discrimination has been painfully felt by them, and
may have given TO the terms of the resolution the
largei construction which its trainers intended How
that may be- deemed it the safer to wait and
submit the subject again Congress. entirely sat
isiied that, while both classes of the officers and
men did their duty, there nothing in the service of
the battalion serving with the army, which entitled them
any higher priv eges than their brethren who belong
ing to the ships, also served ashore The number of
these not great and | respectfully recommend that
they be put on footing, bounty land and other
with those who have already received what
given by law to the officers and men of the army
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant j. Y. MASON.
To the PRESIDENT