The daily union., 1852-12-10

Arctic sea, andl intent upon the organization of
new expedition under the auspices OF countrymen
Mr. Henry Grnnell. and Mr. George Peabody, OF Lon
doa: Their endeayor will be directed TO an exploration
OF the upper coast OF Greenland by land as well as sea-
and will furnish occasion for valuable scientific obserya-
ton tending TO the ascerainment of the magnetic poles
and the intensity and dip Of The needle aud interesting
also 10 geological questions connected with the supposed
existence OF open polar sea, and other subjects of
much Importance IN The natural history OF our globe
Apart therefore, from its main object there is much in
the projected expedition TO excite high degree OF
est IN its results both in Europe and America
Inc distinguished lady whose sorrows have inspired
this zeal oil adventure, and whose energy have given it
an intelligent and hopeful direction, has done
than justice TO meritoous young officer of our navy
Passed Assistant Surgeon Kane in asking his co-opera
lion N this hazardous exploit Dr. KaneIhas already
hgh praise from his counrymen by his intrepid pese
veance IN facing the extraordinary dangers OF the last
expsditlon on the same eTand 10 the Arctic sea- and still
more by he diligence which, guided by scientific
plishment, has enabled him TO contribute valuable fund
towards the illustration of subject that now sngrosses
an unusual share OF learned investigation
Ihe request OF Lady franklin 10 enlist DIR. Kane in the
new expedition has been communicated to me- and have
not delayed 10 give him the necessary and 10
confer upon him all the benefit he may derive from his
posion IN the navy, by order which puts him upon
special service II il should become requisite in The field
OF Operations to which he is destined to provide him with
means Tor the prosecution OF scientific discovery beyond
those which may be afforded by the department and the
lberaity OF the distinguished gentlemen who have as
sumed the charge Of this expedition, would commend il
10 the enlightened regard OF Congress, with the
oi this necessity with prompt appreciation and enerous
support OF an undertaking SO honorable humanity and
SO useful TO the enlargement OF liberal science.
THE NAVAL ACADEMY
The Naval Academy at Annapolis presents 10 the re-
gard OF Congress an institution worthy of the highest en-
couragement.
Under judicious and energetic administration il has
now reached stage in IFS progress which may enable
the government 10 form satisfactory estimate Of it's in
igence IN promoting and sustaining the future efficiency
OF the navy.
Tho ,chool h,s xro,,n - =. n, ...-... , i,
progressive expansion and Improvement of design
which, in its origin, forbade the adoption of compre
hensve and permanent system OF naval education. It
was at hrst contrved to supply nothing than the
opportunity OF prosecuting few useful studies 10 class
OF occasional students, who subject all the inter-
rupuens OF details for service al and who were there
lore not In condition 10 conform the requirements
necessary 10 regular of professional instruction
The obvious insuticency Of this mode of study sug
gesed the necessity Tor more methodca arrangement
plan was accordingly devised in $780, to take effect
the commencement OF the next term of October 1851 by
which all The acting mdshipmen of the date of that and
subsequent years should be induced into the school
It's lowest class and proceed in due order through pre-
scrbed course OF naval educatioE which is specifically
adapted to term OF four years The series OF studies
appropriate 10 each year was Defined The practice OF gun
merry and seamanshp established and the whole organi-
zalon as now exists completed The classes so
conTved also, as TO receive, according 10 an appointed
succession the acting midshpmen of dates prior 10 1851
VINO oy ths provision will in the space OF the three
years have had the opportunity OF graduating in the
school.
ne ADMISSIONS OF acung mldshpmen 10 the navy, and
consequently TO The academy, have been regulated and
limited by several laws, of which the combined import
COW is TO give to each Stale and Territory its relative
proportion OF appointments determined by the ratio OF
representation In Congress- and lis relation to The whole
number OF acting and passed mdshipmen allowed TO the
navy To this determination Of the quota OF appoint
menis appropriated to each Stale and Territory there has
been added an allotment OF fractional share each
congressional district and the nomination for each dis
tret has been conferred upon the member represent.
ing il.
The whole number of mdshipmen, including passed
midshpmen, allowed 10 the navy is four hundred and
sixty -our The number of representatives and delegates
according 70 The last census IS two hundred and thirty
nine Each representative, therefore, is entitled by the
existing law 10 the nomination OF one candidate and
fraction equal 10 225-239.
No provision has been made for the disposition of these
fractions, and have therefore thought myself bound in
the absence OF any other regulations consult the wishes
OF at least majority OF the representatives entitled 10 the
fractional pari in receiving nomination 10 supply The
vacancy.
As the school does not contain more than fourth OF
The midshipmen belonging 10 the nav, aud as the va
cances ~ The number OF students dependent alto
geher upon The promotions 10 the grade OF lieuienans
aho upon The designations, dismissals and deaths in
each year 10 the corps OF mdshpmen the annual nomi-
NATIONS 70 he school must when the entire complement
oil midshlpmen IS regularly filled be comparatively but
lew IN number The present condition OF the service
supplies but small ratio OF promotions; and il IL were
not Tor the operation OF the designations disussas and
leaths " Is manifest that the yearly recruits be added
10 the school would be uconsderahle in numbers as
TO iofbd any hope OF extensive usefulness; whilst the
huSuabs Chaiactf OF these CAUSES which produce the
vacancies tends TO a result scarcely less Injurious
IL ls indeed the most obvious defect in the present or
ganzaon OF the academy that It's supply of students il
liable TO these contingencies for while The classes are
advancing by regular Steps, through the course of four
years study, 10 the term at which they must leave The
school and enter into the field OF service the vacan
cies which they create dependent upon such a limit
ed und OF supply must ultimately reduce the number
OF pupils below the quota which is essential 10 the ad
mlnisiralion OF the system.
That this defect has not already been visible in The
career OF The academy to be ascrbed only TO the fact
That up 10 The present time the members OF the nsu
ton have been recruited from the grade oil midshpmen
who have been employed at previous 10 the new ar.
rangements, adopted and commenced with the class OF
1881 The classes heretofore have been furnished ont o
this corps, IN addition to the annual nominations When
ms resource IS exhausted and the school is dependent on
ine yearly nominations alone, the defect to which have
referred will be fully and felt, II win then be man
iest that The whole number the school cannot exceed
AZ any time The number OF promotions added TO the occa
siona vacancies occurring in the corps OF midshpmen
and passed mldshipmen IN four years.
IL s TO remedy this defect, and give the school an in
herent power necessary TO its perpetuaton and to
vigorous and healthfu institution, completely adapted to
the useful ends for which II ordaned that propose
with your APPRECIATION, to submit to Congress the follow
ing change IN It's fundamental structure
Inc academy should be composed excluively OF cadets
or young men who are received candidates for adm
sos 70 The navy Us design should be that OF prepara
tory school 10 qualify these candidates for appointments
and they should only be in condition be selected for
midshipmen when they had successfully passed through
this probation.
II this principle be adopted "a The groundwork OF
The plan, then the whole number OF cadets TO be
nominated for the school may be established by law
FOR The present, ! suggest that this number may be