Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1850-01-03
THE IYNCHBURG VIRGINIAN.
,yyctRtIeG JANUARY 3, 1850.
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REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE
500 NAVY.
PRoPEIEToHs


- NAVY. F
We shall endeavor to give such abstracts OF the
Reports OF the several heads OF Departments, as
may show the operations ofthe Executive Tor the
past year, and tie yarions reforms and improve
ments suggested We begin with The Report OF
the Secretary of the Navy. 1t IS document OF
much interest and reflects erea, credit upon It's
distinguished author. Mr. Preston thinks Tor
himself and having diligently devoted himself 10
mastering the details of the important DeISft-
ment. to the head of which he was unexpectedly
called he gives his views with fearless lndepen-
dence. The Locofoco press sneered at the choice
of a man reared in the mountains OF Nirg inia and
ignorant of nautical affairs, to preside over the
Naval service of the country. This objection was
founded in ignorance of the nature OF the duties
of the office and in lorgetlunesS OF the fact that
the two most incapable and miserable Secretaries
of the Navy we have ever had were men who
had been Shippers and who owed their appoint
ments TO the presumption entertained OF their
practical knowledge Of Naval affairs The organ
izaon of Naval Bureaus was intended 10 super
sede the necessity OF this professional knowledge
in a neutrality-suspicious. in tins country and
in England, having demonstrated that the gener-
al interests of the service can best be promoted by
man of enlightened views, strict justice, and
courteous manners, who is not iettered by the
preiudces which inscnsibly incrust the mind of
one subjected to routine duties With full APP
probation of the talents OF some OF our Naval Of
ieers Of the highest rank, we do not think there
is one whose administration OF the Department
would not be highly preiudcial 10 the Naval SER
vice. Mr.. Preston may have known very little
of Naval affairs before his appointment. He is
even now, we hope quite ignorant of all the de-
tails of the building and equipment Of vessels-ol-
war. But his Report shows that he comprchends
what is necessary TO the efficiency and prosper-
ty ofthe Navy, and that he regards this impor-
,ant branch of the public service with the eye Of
a statesman and apaniot.
There is one recommendation, which, in COM
mon with the Secretary of War, Mr.. Preston
makes, which deserves the speedy attention Of
Congress. We allude TO a retired list for the Ma
w. Authority should be given TO the Secretary
TO place upon reduced pay and out OF the line OF
promotion, any officer, who, from age, infrnies, or
other cause, is not qualified for the active duties
of his profession. We do not undertake TO say
what proportion of officers of every grade is unfit
TO be trusted with the command pertaining 10
their rank-we know il to be large. These men
not only draw their full pay, but they relard the
promotion and employment OF young, efficient and
accomplished officers. There are cases in which
Leulenants, who never did day duty as such,
and who were incapable of doing it, have been
made Commanders, and, after drawing their pay
and doing nothing else for years, have finally been
promoted TO the highest rank known 10 the SER
vice, and whose names now count on the Navy
list TO the exclusion of gallant and accomplished
officers who are wearing out their lives in Subor-
dinae situations. We have no objection II let
these superanuaed and Inefficient officers contin-
he to receive their pay as al present. provided
they are placed on a retired list and their names
no longer prevent the promotion Of those whose
years and qualif aationS fit them to do honor 10
the service. Dcmagorues object to such sug-
gestion, because, say they, ii is system OF pen
sioning, Incompatible with the spirit Of our insti-
tutions. What is the pay now of on officer who
can rcnderno equivalent but pension oil a lar
ger amount We have the system already in
full force, with the engraItment upon it of the
g.in-he-manger policy--the slperanuated pre-
venting the active from doing the service which
they cannot do. Let the Secretary place upon
the retired list about one-thrd Of the Captains, a
fourth Of the Commanders and some fifty or six
" lieutenantS, and make the CORE spending pro-
motions, taking care TO orerSIdagh the worthless
OF all grades, and the impulse given TO the Naval
service, in all its branches, would be Immediately
apparent This reform must come eventually
and the sooner the better for all concerned.
But we have been led away from the Report
Mr. Preston. We repeat, it is highly credita-
bic TO him and TO the Administration of which he
is member We hope its suggestions will re-
eeive respectful consideration at the hands OF
Congress.