The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-12-10

ization OF the school will necessariiy follow upon
the observance of this provision,
In proper oonnexon with this subject of the
academy, il is my duty to apprize you that have
recently adopted regulations for the government
Of apprentices TO be admitted at the several navy
yards and workshops under the control of this De-
partment. The propriety of these regulations has
been suggested by the bureau OF yards and docks,
and am indebted TO the Intelligent abors of three
dis tinguished officers Of the Department Commo-
dores Morris, Shubrick, and Smith, TO whom re-
ferred the subject for report, which have re
ceived, and which will be found amongst the docu-
ments accompanying this communication. The
report presents the regulations. which have ap-
proved The number OF apprentices IA establish
ed for the present by this system, is eighty three
They are required TO undergo an examination twice
in each year, and, after the first year. those most
distinguished in the previous trials are to be sub
jeced to another OF still more extensive and rig
orous character, upon which such as shall be re
ported as worthy'of the highest appreciation and
reward, and as demonstrating talent adapted to
eminence in the public service, are to be com
mended to the Secretary OF the Navy Tor such fur.
Their advantages ofinstruction az he NAV have il in
his power to confer.
regard it as most saiutary power to be invest
ed IN the Secretary OF the Navy, for the beneficial
performance OF the duty thus assigned to him, that
he should have authority to admit into the Naval
Academy those apprentices whose good conduct
and capabilities shall have earned this distinction,
and to provide that they should there be conducted
through n course of study appropriate to their in.
tended future vocations and calculated to advance
them in mathematical and mechanical scence
under such regulations In regard TO the term of
their application, their duties and department IA
the Navy Department might IT,. ok il expedicnt 70
adopt. Having completed tnis course of study,
they should be returned to the yards from which
they may have been received, or allotted to suts
bic employments In the service.
IL would be useful provision in this scheme to
give 10 tue young men SO educated a preference in
the admissions to the corps of engineers for
ships, for which appointments their education
would particularly qualify them; their admission
into that corps nevertheless, to be dependent upon
successful examination and favorable certificate
to MORAL and intellectual character.
In the operation of this scheme the navy would
derive the benefit of the best talents and acquire.
ment Tor the supply OF engineers, naval architects
and constructors and superintendent in the vari
nected with the service
l take great pleasure in presenting th, subject
30 your approval and TO the attention Of Congress
In view of this reorganization of the academy |
submit, also, question worthy of con sideration
whether 1t would not be salutary provision to re-
quire that the officers of the marine CORDS shout
be prepared for that service by education the
school. My own opinion is that Il would be at
tended by manifest advantage, both as respects
the necessary accomplishment for naval service
IN that corps, and the personal character and de-
pertinent OF the officers belonging to it. 1t is
amongst the incidents of their employment that
they are sometimes required to perform important
military duties shore in which a necessity ia
found for that species Of knowledge only TO be oh.
ry service to which they called it s quite ap
parent that this knowledge, and the spirit to ap-
preciate the duties of command that is insepara-
Die from it, must increase the efficiency Of the
ofhcer and elevate the character of the CORPS to
which be ia attached. If these considerations
should influence the opinion of Congress as they
do my own, they will suggest the expediency OF
making the provision to which have invited
their attention.
In concluding this notice Of the naval academy.
II Is due to Commander Stribling, who has charge
oil the institution, and to the officers, professors
and assistants under his command, to say that the
assiduity and intelligence with which they have
performed the laborious and complicated duties
assigned to them merit the highest appreciation;
and that the prosperous condition of the school
and admirable arrangement Of its Details par
ucuarly manifested in the department and pro
hciency OF the young men confided to their care,
eminently entitle il to the favorable opinion and
encouragement of the Government
particularly commend to the notice of Con.
gress the consideration of the appropriations asked
Tor by the Bureau of Ordnance and photography,
for the Improvements necessary to purchase the
grounds and complete the buildings required by
the academy.
Organisation and Discipline Of Seamen.
There ia no subject connected with the prospect
tyof the navy that, in my estimate better deserves
the attention OF Congress than that relating the
condition OF the corps OF mariners, which const-
tutes the great working force in the nav CATION and
management Of the public vessels.
In obedience to a sentiment which is prevalent
throughout the country, and which is naturally
suggested by those impulses that distnctyely
characterize the opinions and habits of people,
Congress has been recently led the consideration
OF the ordinary mode Of punishment, which it had
serva'ion OF the discipline of the navy. The re-
SUIT on this consideration has been the passage of
law Tor tie entire abolition Of corporal punish ment
on board Of our ships, both public and private.
lhis punishment-whch,i for a long time, has been
practiced In tho navy and commercial marine, not
only without question "a to it's efficacy in main
saining the proper observance OF duty on chip.
board, but which, indeed, had become SO incorpo-
rated in the sober conviction of both officers and
men, as an indispensable necessity of the service
thati had grown to be the most unquestioned
disclplinc-many judcious persons believed might
DC dispensed with. not only most acceptaby to the
feelings OF the nation, but also without dsadvan
tage to the service. The adoption of this opinion
by congress, in the passage of the act Of Sep
TENDER, 1850. which forbade the accustomed
penalty, without providing a substitute for it, hos
Afforded the navy the opportunity to make the
pertinent. very sincerely regret TO say that the
records of this Department, as we'll az the almost
entire concurrence of facts and opinions, brought
10 my notice from authentic sources. and vouched
oy Intelligent and experienced observers, all tend
10 Indicate most unsatisfactory result The
omission oil Congress 10 provide for the punish
ucnt OF what may be called minor offences against
discipline and good order on ship board may. per-
bnps account in part for the failure; but the fact
OF the most serious detrment to the efficiency OF
our service is so unhappiiy forced upon my atten-
ton, as the effect Of the recent change, that it be
comes the gravest Of my duties at this time to lay
the subject once more before Cong reese, and TO ask
its attention to the consideration Of such a correc-
tive to the present condition Of the service rs am
confdcn, il must find TO be indispensable to the
proper government Of the navy. We have evidence
furnished to this Department, in the history Of al
most every cruise of acts of that not
only impair the usclulncss of Ships but which
tend also to the gradual development of babits
amongst the seamen To threaten to lead to
extensive and uncomfortable mutnes The
multiplication Of courts martial, and all the
consequences of an increase OF disorder and crime
are amongst the least of the apparent and growing
evils OF the new system. The decentralization OF
both men and officers lie yet more observable
consequence. The absence prohibition Of the
usual punishmen's known TO seamcn has led to the
invention OF new penalties of the most revolving
kind, in the application Of which full scope has
been given and the strongest provocations admin.
stercd to that exhibition Of temper and passion |
q hich, however natural it may be TO men OF hasty
and excitable natures, is seldom ndulged without |
eading to crueities that must disgrace those who |
practice them; and. what 10 more to be feared, |
-stc sentiment in the public mind hostile to the
navy itsef. The seaman, believing himself cx.
mpt from the speedy penalty Of disobedieuce or |
neglect of duty, and looking with Indifference TO