Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-11-09
Naval Reform.

A reformation IN our Navy has been
long and loudly demanded by the whole
American people, and now, if accounts
of Mr.. Dobbins are correct, this desirable
end is at last likely to be attained, that
is, if practical plan and strong recon-
mendation can open the eyes of Congress
to the real wants of the nation, and with
draw the attention of its members for one
moment from their own political fortunes.
The navy wants thorough re-organiza-
ton. Some system must be devised by
which vessels will not cost three prices
expended in nonsensical experiments. re-
quiring enough money for repairs and
remodellings, to build new one, and
then be found totally worthless. The
old fogey feature of making promotions
according to the date of commissions,
without regard to qualifications. must be
stricken out, and the more democratic
principle of rewarding merit. adopted
And, to obtain an efficient navy. the wa
ees of seamen must be increased. We
want the best men that tread deck, to
man our national vessels, and these can
only be obtained by good treatment. good
wages, and chance of promotion for gal
liant and meritorious services. With
these Improvements, our navy would I'M
media,ely re assume the high position
enjoyed by it al the close of the war of
1919, before the canker of superanuated
men and ideas had eaten out its heart.
and inflicted upon it the disgraceful Sc
ries of plumbers and failures during the
late Mexican war. Our attention has
been directed to this matter by the fol-
lowing article from the Maysville (Ky.)
Express, in allusion to one published in
the Washington Sentinel. on the same
subject:
The above from the Washington
Sentinel, is every word true, and should
command the attention Of every member
of Congress having the real interest of
his country at heart. The worthless
and offensive rubbish" TO which the Sen
tinel alludes, will be found at the heads
of the several naval bureaus in the de-
partment at Washington. The law re-
quires that these officers shall be selected
from certain rank in the navy, instead
of allowing the President to take men of
any grade who are competent to discharge
the duties. The result is. that there are
at the head of the several bureaus in the
Navy Department. set of superanuated
old fogieS, who, heretofore have infected
the secretaries with their antiquated no
tons, and been the most stubborn and
persistent of all others, in their hostility
to all progress in the navy. Belonging to
the service, and being men of experience,
the secretaries are too apt to rely upon
them in all important matters. In nine
cases out of ten he becomes the mere re-
hex of the old fogey characteristics of
these suburdinates. when he should pur-
sue more independent and enlightened
policy.
" The law should be altered, the Sec
rotary should have power to. select the
heads of bureaus from any rank in the
navy. He should be allowed to take the
most enlightened. experienced and COM
petent men, no matter whether found
among passed midshipmen, lieutenants,
masters or captains. There is genius
and talent enough in the navy for any
purpose but unwise legislation denies
the government the benefit of them, and
will continue to do so while old fogyism
rules in Congress.
THE very improvements in our navy,
the necessity for which is now so fearful
ly manifest to all. have been urged with
great zeal and ability in Congress for the
last six or eight years. 1t has never &C.
CURED that any new measure of interest
to the navy. not stamped with the sane
ton of the bureau of Construction and
Equipment. or of Ordnance, or of Yards
and Docks, no matter how wise or impor-
tant. has not been resisted by them
They find willing instruments in Con-
gress to carry out their behests. Let the
old fogies of the Navy Department only
signify their opposition to any measure in
relation to the navy. and the old fogies OF
the House are ready in an instant 10 exc
cute their will.
under the demagogical plea of eco
nomy. measurers are voted down by a
class of men in Congress, who have no
sensible idea of what economy really
means. 1t is SO with naval reform. and
the usual excuse for opposition to i'm
Prorement in the navy is, that it costs
money, when in truth an efficient navy
Is the best economy the government could
practice. Better had the government
blow up every hulk it owns. than keep
them atioat with an annual waste of So
OOO. 900. as it Is now doing. We spend
2.O00, 600 per year in repairing these
old hulks. and 100000 for improve
ment and repairs OF yards and stations,
where most of the vessels lay rotting and
unfit for service half the time