The daily union., 1852-12-10

would represent the annual number of graduates.
Pgoyson, OF course, should be made Tor the gradual
| absorption OF all those acting mdshipmen who, under
the present system, are not Yet disposed Of Ina lew
years they must disappear, alter which The organization
| ol The cadets would be undisturbed.
In addition 10 this number OF sixtywo nominations 70
be made in each year, Congress and the President would
also have the appointment TO such vacancies IN the new
class might arise oul OF the failure o Tue hrst candi
dates pass the preliminary examinations required at
their admission. The vacancies occasioned by subse-
queui examinations and by the other operating
during the progress OF the classes through The term OF
the four years propose should not be hlled; but the
classes, alter their should advance 10 the
end ol The term OF study, subject 10 all The incidents OF
their career which may reduce their numbers Ihe pro-
pely OF this provision will be recognised when II OBJ
served that vacancy occurring any class alter II has
become advanced its studies could not be supplied, at
that ad yanced stage by new appointment TO the school
The class would still go in lis reduced sate whilst
the supply OF vacancy occurring II could only Ope
rate to the undue increase OF the lowest class OF begin
ners and would thus produce periodical and inconve-
nen increase OF graduates Tor whom allotment could
| be made In The navy. s. 5ssa.
| Assuming sixty-wo as the number which shall al
ways be supplied 10 the lowest class Os bsgnssrs 81 the
school, we have to believe from the data AFFORDED
by the experience OF West Point that the annual number of
graduates would not exceed some twenty-five or thirty
II being iound IN the general operation OF the SYSTEM
that the graduates do not bear greater average proper
ton to the omissions ban forty per Upon Ibis ba-
sis may he estimated that these twenty-five thirty
may be looked 10 as tue ordinary yearly resource Tor the
supply OF young officers 10 the navy.
propose in the next place, that the law should estab-
ded and fifty These should be recognised mdshipmen
only, and be subject all the understood and appropriate
duties of lha. class Of officers. They should Then be
consigned 10 service board OF shps-of and after
SIX months employment at sea- should, upon examlna-
lIon and approval by competent board be entitled to
the mdshipmans warrant bearing the date OF the grad
uaton the school and after three years service at
and another examination, they should be noted for pro-
motion 10 higher grade, which propose should be ce-
passed mdshpmen should be abolished as soon as the
gradual promotion OF the corps may allow II s an anom-
ay in the naval service presenting class q Officers TO
gendeing dlscoaent when the duties OF ordinary mid
shipmen required Of it, This class perform the
and The rank should be associated BY law. The change
would require increase OF pay, and would, have
doubt, be productive OF good effects. MI. 4f.i
The grade OF masters might be established at one hun
dred and might al once be filled by appointing 10 il that
number OF passed midshpmen. The ultimate result OF
shpmen shall have been absorbed in the regular
of promotion, two hundred and fifty midshpmen and
hundred masters TO occupy the space now hed by the
corps of four hundred and sixtylour oicers-a reduc-
on of one hundred and fourteen. This reduction. of
would Increase the ratio Of promotion 10 The corps
OF euenanis, and would leave sufficient complement
for all The demands OF the service estimated by The pres
ent size OF the navy. future increase OF the navy
wond suggest proporona,e increase OF officers OF ev-
cry grade ~ h,
corps-hat 10 say, OF two hundred and fifty midshp-
men and one hundred masters-woud supply about twen
y five yacanties year The present number OF higher
officers furnish something thus yearly average, and
there reason TO suppose that II Will be reduced In
future the active service OF The navy, even on the
present establishment rather increase IT, The school,
therefore, may be regarded subject 10 an annual de-
maBd for this number OF its graduates 10 be advanced
into The regular line oil tervlee Estimating the num-
ber OF graduates at twenty live, the whole 0f them
would thus nd position and employment an increase to
thirty would OF course give remainder OF five. which
may also be disposed of.
propose, in further organization OF this system, TO
scientific corps The navy, 10 be established
as the hy biographical corps this corps 10 be designed, IN
EK.tp h.uaa hall fax
thirty mssefs thirty leutenans fifteen commanders, and
hye captains making eighty IN all. II should be espe
cay educated Tor that sclenihc professional service ~
which some portion OF the navy IS constantly employed
ats chef duties should be connected with hydograph-
ca surveys, astronomical observations construction OF
charts preparation aud Improvement ot ordnance, the
supervision o naval architecture and machinery, and
the direction Of civil engineering the construction of
docks and other structures requiring scientific Wedge
and skill
The corps should be entirely separate from and inde-
pendent OF The regular naval service Its line Of promo
uon should be confined 10 ITS own organization, and rs
government should be under its own proper officers In
addition 10 the duties assigned 10 II on shore and IN h.
biographical surveys, portion oil II might be appro
prlaed to service at sea, and one more officers OF The
corps might be introduced INTO The compemenis OF squad
tons on lofegn or home service. An experienced Of
hcer OF this corps would find useful and active duty upon
every cruise. Ii should be eil TO the Navy Department
10 regulate the character and contingencies OF this
vice. and 70 make all the necessary rules and orders Tor
lis application.
THIS corps should be built up under the direction OF the
Secretary o tbe Navy from the material afforded by the
academy, with such additions 10 il, IN ts commence
neni, from The regular line OF naval service, in his
udg ent the qualifications OF the present officers might
enable him 10 make with advantage ft
With view TO the supply OF this corps from The academy
propose that upon the yearly examination OF the gradu-
aies the board OF examination shall be directed be-
slow close attention upon the class submitted to them
IN order ascertain the particular adaptation OF any OF
the graduates 10 this species OF service, and That they
shall report 10 the department the OF such they
may find qualified by study, talent, and requirement Tor
admission TO the and H. this report, The stu
dents designated shall consent 10 enter the corps they
many OF them the established complement OF the
hydog aphca corps may require shall be appropriated TO
that service; and, upon being appropriated, they shall
be returned TO the academy Tor additional of
in obtaining thorough kno wledge OF the higher branches
OF civil engineering, hydrosraphy, astronomy, mechsn-
ism, and gunneTy in conformity with the best system OF
instruction which the academy may be able 10 fasnish.
AT the eud OF this probation OF two years they shall be
subjected TO final examination, and upon recommend
alton TO that eject shall be admitted TO the rank of
ers in the hydrogaphca corps. Five years service in
this grade should enite them TO be promoted leuten-
ants as vacancies may happen, and the promotions
bencelorward should await the ordinary incidents OF the
corps which may supply the proper occasion.
II the department should be able to contribute any
member TO the corps IRON the present officers oil the
vice, think such appointments should not exceed TWEEN
~ 10 each grade of masters and eutenans and ten
manders and tina no captain be appointed until after five
years in the corps there may be found The proper
officers occupy the ~ this grade. II should
also be well understood that the Secretary OF the Navy,
in assigning present officers TO the corps shond be gov
erned alone in his selection By high qualification and