The daily union., 1852-01-17

men recently received from and recruited in New Orleans
better than the recruits in the naval service previous
TO the adjustment of hoggng.
80 The effect upon discipline mink very lamentable
commanded the steam fgaie Saranac before and after
the abolshmen and It's baneiu influence was too papa
Bile 20 permit OF doubt Occasionally as many twenty
men were in confinement at one time, their work being
thrown on the good men OF the ship More crimes, and
some OF them very serious, were commilted wIhm SIX
months after the passage OF the law than had witnessed
10 many years OF my previous service. AT one time
for ve days al sea, the ships deck was Ia charge OF
midshpman all the lieutenans and myself being employ
ed on courls-martal The Saranac was Nag 'shlp,
which gave me prompt action by courts. Inaral-an adj
vantage which the other ships OF the squadron absent
from The lag' did not possess but or his, which en-
abed alter trial 10 return the greater portion oil The
prisoners TO duty, the efficiency of the ship would have
been even seriously affected
"3 The crew Of the Saranac the only ship have
commanded since the abolishmen OF logging, evinced in
inilely less alacrity and think cheerulness, than for
mey The best men appeared TO have been dshearten-
ed by the additional duty imposed on them by The new
system.
I'd am unable 10 suggest substitute for the old law
that might with equal prompude and efficiency, check
The badly disposed ,
60 In my opinion the vessels Of The navy generally
are infinitely less efficient since the adjustment OF Hog
ging."
Commander Kelly thus replies from on board the Uni
ted States ship Plymouth Funchal Roads, Madeira, Sep
tember "a 1851
First What has been the effect upon the recruiting
service Is il found that better class OF persons IS
now INDUCED to enter the naval service?
81 reply that many of our best men-l mean those who
have been brought up and feel an interest in the service
decline rs entering, giving as reason hst All The work
sorry 10 subscribe to the fact We have, in all ships
crews, some insubordinac spirits that cannot be held in
check bh by very severe measures ii is this potion OF
the crew that formerly sweled list OF punshments
have rarely seen agood man reported tor Improper con-
duct; and when il has happened i has generally been
,taee4o The irritating and a,soFdeIy conduct & oi one o
$40 The second question: What has been the elect
upol the discipline and subordnaon among the persons
composing ships companies
answer, very injurious and as proof oil The iact
all of the good men OF the complain bitterly ol the
change, and the absence OF all means 10 restrain the in
subordinate will relate circumstance which occurred
short time since board this ship. had occasion to
punish quartemasle by disrailng him, Tor highly in
subordinate conduct to the commanding officer OF his
division Upon returning to his quarters, he positively
refused 10 do his duty captain OF the gun and upon
my ordering hm to be confined in double irons, he told
he was 10 be psnished he would take care that it
should be for something, adding that he would not be i'm
posed upon by me or any other man The next morning
lie said in the presence OF several OF the that he
did not damn Tor the captain any other officer
that he had now broke out and he wouli let them know
it, Had not this known that could not punish him
except by confinement do not think 1t would have
Cured. | must now keep him confined until fall in
with senior officer, who has authority TO order
court-martal. This may be two or three months; and
all this lime not only lose his services, but have 10 de-
tail marine 10 take charge OF him. and one OF his mess
supply him with food, carry his hammock up
and down, and TO wash his clothes, besides other
one Of the having TO perform his duty"
= To the third question: Do the crews OF men, fwar
evnce less alacriiy and cheerfulness Are the
orders OF the officers more or less promptly obeyed
To The first part Of this question answer, with much
less alacrlty and cheefuness And 10 the second part
far my observation has gone the orders OF The 9th
ces are obeyed IN slow and sullen manner In fact,
ships longer war so lar prompt and
quick action is required"
by which The badly disposed persons on board can
be restrained =
." know OF none so eectua as the cal and that should
follow close the heels of the offences, giving full time
for thorough investigation OF the. 1t is only the
certainty OF punishment Immediately following The crime
that restrain men OF bad character.
Io The mn question: Are the vessels of the navy
or less efficient since the abolshmenl Of oggng in
the navy ?
~ reply that, in my opinion, they much less So"
Commodore L. A. f. 1avalee, commanding the Afri.
squadron from on board the United States flag ship
Germantown, Porto Praya, November ~ 1851 thus
plies
90. What has been The effect upon discipline and
suboFdnailon among the persons comprising ships COM
panes
:. In The early part OF cruise observed marked
difference in the bearing and conduct OF The their
officers, when compared with the experience OF former
times. There indifference and want OF prompti-
tude in obeying an order, much noise and confusion in
The performance OF duty and in instance outbreak
occurred which had nearly terminated in serious conse.
quences the circumstances OF which the proceedings OF
the court MARTIAL forwarded al this time, will inform
you
-. DO crews OF vesSes-ofwar evlnce more or less
alacrity and cheerfuness' Are the orders of officers
more or less promptly obeyedr
The natural consequences Of inability 10 inhict a
summary and dreaded punishment upon the indolent
Will inevitably prevent the necessary quckness in work
ing ship, with the watch, especially at night. when the
men so easily escape the notice OF the officer in charge
OF the watch The result is also 10 dissatsy the better
class oil seamen and petty officers whose labor II in.
ceases, and who repine at the existing state OF things
and refer with satisfaction 10 former times when the
power TO punish the skulker obliged every TO per-
form his share of duty Since the occurrence alluded 10,
when the offenders tried by rtmartia there has
been much Improvement in the conduct OF the Of
this ship; there Is more alacrty IN the movements oil the
men, and much respect shown 10 the officers and
altogether, am much pleased with the conduct OF the
men.
The fifth and last question iB, Are the vessels OF the
navy less efficient since the adjustment OF fog
ging in the navy y
1" The vessels OF the navy are less efficient since the
adjustment OF fogging IN the navy, The adjustment
OF logging in the navy not only deprived the captain
but court-maral, OF the most ordinary means of
OF punishment, except putting IN irons or confinement
which deprves the ship OF the services of the deln.
quent, who during bad weather, is IN much better
diton than his fellows, who obliged 10 perform his
duties, while he is IN receipt OF full pay and ralions
which the law does not allow the captain 10 check
cual and, again, in the event OF any general dssats
faction, men might unite and acy resist authority, by
being putin irons in such numbers TO completely disable
the ship An immediate punishment which may inspire
dread in the minds of the men, appears 10 be absolutely
necessary Tor the well.belng and efficiency OF any milf
ary establishment, aud is especially in the navy, and
should be OF such severity 10 prevent the ndoen from
enduring it, in preference 10 performing any arduous duty
which may be required of them, and TO prevent the evil
disposed from disabling the ship, by uniting and submt
ting 10 confinement in irons"