Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-01-27

heJOrne Of the Navy-lhe committee on Ma
val Affairs in the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatves of the United States. have the sub
iect before them of Reorganization of the Ma
". That reform has become essential for the
greater efficiency Of the service is generally adj
mittcd The number of officers III the grades Of
Captains, Commanders and Eeutenants, Is 4o2,
81 Of whom have been, it is sad practically
withdrawn from sea service, making the true
and active number only $685. The 9+ receive
not only pay, emohuncnts and honours, butpro-
motion by seniority, equally with those who
have undergone risks and hardships. This gross
,ly violates the princp ple Of equality. Those who
do only shore duty are in tie same line OF pro-
motion with the officers who have incurred not
only the hazards Of sea service, in Its ordinary
forms, but have been subjected to the insalubrty
Of climates the most adverse to health. Some
Of the first rank have not been at sea for twenty
years, several for ten years, and still larger
number from five to eight years, rcGvlA" from
$500 to $500 per annun. In the second and
third grades Of service, with the same exemption
fom active duty for periods varying from five
TO twenty wears. the compensation has been from
$500 to $2l00. These long exemptions ought
iOl ~ Dp vi IL si!!ONtN tH'iS
be a graduation Of pay corresponding to the
character Of the service when at sea or on shore.
This would diminish the induccment to remain
out Of active employment. Nero length Of sor-
vice should not be permitted to outweigh the
professional merits OF officers who uphold the
naval reputation Of the country on the score of
efficiency.
Another not less indispensable reform is the
formation ola retired Est Shore stations should
be reserved for those who have from length Of
actual service entitled themselves to this imdu!-
gencc, and when they are entirely disabled, they
should receive half pay. The prejudice III the
United States against the Pension system is nat
ural. But the abuse of that system should not
be confounded with its salutary uses. The Inc
should be drawn between Offices, civil and militia
ry which arc exposed to peculiar risks aud en-
haustion ofthe physical powers. \ twenty years
active service in the army or navy leaves the Off
Ger often without mind or body, of sufficient en-
ergy to obtain the ordinary comforts Of life
They enter both branches Of service il tn. y;.sor
and buoyancv Of youth. They are subjected to
hardships that prematurely wear out their CON
stitutions, and are at length dismissed to p,ury,
with no provision for their families lnlcpcnd-
emily Of til" cruelty Of this, its mpolicy is most
striking What motive is there to enter the rla-
W or the army with the prospect Of such final
neglect In all the liberal pro6ssins there is the
chance Of such remuneration, during the activity
Of youth, and the energy Of manhood, that the
perspective is ever before the aSpirlnt that his old
age may be crowned with comfort, if not aburl-
dancc. What prospect is in view Of the officer
who deyotcs the best Of his days to the public
sorvic" on salary that but just sufficcs to main
tain him in dcconcy' Shall the objections to Il
SYSTEM ofpc>ioning, including all who have served
the country in either civil or military capacity,
apply to men whocannot look beyond the horzon
of his profession emolument? who are crbbcd
and confined to ono uniform class ofdutes? Pol
icY as we'll as equality forJids it.