The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-12-11

b content until he attains higher rank This
nss the : :sm
blocks up tn path to rank by imbecility or ncompe
eDey and thus dsprvss merit and hard service both Of
rank and pay am aware that 1t ID an easier task to
point out defects than to remedies evils
Of our system hardly be diminished BY tme and no
reform can b expected without effort.
entertain the opinion that retired list ON reduced
pay, for the faithful who have become n6rm; the dis
charge Of the who have no claim on the boun
~ Of their government for services promotions
regulated BY capacity, merit and not by mere ssnior
ty Of omissions pay 70 some extent controlled BY sea
Of the felvice by considerations of justice but absolute
ly to the Of efficiency and useful
There are officers whom the nfrInities Of age
the ravages of dissse, incident to the exposures of
rough seafarng s have rendered unfit for duty They
have been faithful public servants ever ,s.dy obey
ders and from their vocation provident for the future
On retiring such to secure the aid Of the vgor
and active, grateful country may well deal gene.
rously ard thus at the time, administer Kindness
to age and fidelity, and justice to the deserving be-
lsye this plan Of retired list can be so arranged
as to protect the Trssury from the heavy drains
all pay Reduce ths pay Of the retired stop the pay
OF the discharged-organize thus corps Of efficient OH
per guards and restrictions may be one rather OF
trenchu emit than extravaganza. To apply these prin-
srst seem inconvsnsnt and embarrassing But in com
mon with many who have bestowed much confederation
on this subject am persuaded that the difficulties are
board of officers Of various grades carefully selected
by the President be convened periodically to report
to hin the of those who in their judgment should
be made subjects Of the rules prescribed Their report
may be subject to the approval or reversal or modfea-
ton of the President To enable them to act ntegeuty
and mparty in this delicate task the Secretary Of the
Navy lay before them not merely the Navy Register
and the records of the Department. but may materially
offensive and delicate mode the opinions of the Off
themselves ouchdg the fitness of those of their OWE
grade and those below whom association and opportu
But forbear enlarge pom the details necessary to
give shape and eiectveIess to the proposed REFORM
ton convince me that there is radical error Although
pay sboul not be and is OF the chief incentive to acv
yet every COM de,at on just aes the policy and pro.
difference between leave Of absence and duty pay is
very all that it practically invites the officer to avoid
service and really makes it more profitable to be
idle than to labor sea service gave certain per cent
increased Fay under proper limitations and restrictions
just reward to diligence and would stimulate officers to
go to to swell their income for themselves and
fam es. recommend, therefore, modification Of our
present pay ysten In accordance with these Vows and
am satisfied it will promote desire for service, in
stead Of reluctant obedience to orders The pay of the
forward warrant officers also needs regulating These
The specifications however, of the various changes
which appear to III important in regard to rank pro-
molten and ray, would necessarily extend this report
and with the expression If hearty wils gness to
operate with Congress in arranging the details Of
coed to throw out few suggeations touching the mod
fcation Of system In regard to seamen with view
character by Plan of rewards - well as punshments
While the vigor ane reform incident to our happy
American institutions have been successfully injured
into almost every department. Of government pene
tated almost every fibre of the body potcthe neglect
cd sailcr we except the ger srOus munesnos Of asy
Ct the legislative hand, and has continued to toll on
under code Of discipline and laws but little modified
victim rom the hovel to the man. war.
With population approaching 10000 ooo full OF en-
oss to 81 TING @
not only attracting the attention Of the public, but
seriously Embarrassing the efforts of the departments to
maihtan the small naval force allowed BY law
Hundreds Of merchant vessels almost daily darling
forth from our busy marts readily filed with cheerful
seamen, counting danger upon the element on which
they love to rove while ships of lingering
manage by the aid Of the sxssts landlord o. the
Mstments.
Our cities towns and villages are hronged with ath
letc young men, struggling apxiouiy for employment in
petty offices and In every department Of labor and when
patton reduces to degradation and friends regard them
burdens to family and nuisances to society then and
often not till then do we hear the remark taat they
row only fit to become sailors In the Navy
Why sre the hborng young men OF our counsry 80 re-
iueant to sail :nd serve under their countrys nsg Is
find comparatively little difficulty in procuring sea-
menY Is it because they for themencourage
Them Mp, m,c1Te-Psy them better
pne-to tolerate insubordination-io hesitate at admin
hteripg punishment sure punishment, to correct the
form of our system to reward the mertorous-to
elevate ths character samento give respec
IL na % S
itselto pay them better-to encourage them to love
the flag under which they sail and when they walk the
their condition with the raors of other governments
feel some pride IL being American sailors under Amer
colors.
There much 10 the character of the sailor to excite
our admiration much to enlist sympathy. he is
brave generous self sacrificing and when, after long
Their beaten he treads Hpon the soil Of his country again.
discharged from the service mprovident and wassfu
soon beret Of his hard ca nngs surely it is but natural
that this wanderer should hook to his
for him and invite him to return to service for which
alone he lie atted and in which he is much relied upon
to protect the commerce. the rights the honor Of that
government without well disciplined contented and
efficient seamen to man our ships We may have officers
beautiful symmetry but the vital spirit will be wanting
It becomes, therefore matter Of grave inquiry, how
shall this branch OF the public service be modified
to the best and prevent expensive delays
in despatchng vessels whenever ready for commission
In tbs Hrst place, deem 1t indispensable that
plan be adopted by which shall become more
distinctly and permanently part of the Navy and at
tached TO the servcs Whenever ship OF
returns from her three years cruise the onicsrs
of three moIths, with leave Of absence pay but
the seamen are peremptorily discharged disconnected
IItm Inc serViCc III lAey nave o6en Dert0flOus pro-
pose that their etun they to granted honorable
discharge ito be considered leave Of absence pay
within certain time they choose to enlist in the
service This would possess two fold vittue-of fair
and generous treatment at partngan invitation to
tinue member Of family caring for them during tenn
porary absence. They will regard the hip-of
tLeir home they will feel that they part of the
navy Of their country they will compare their condition
with that of the seamen Of the mercantile marine apPre
ciate their advantage and cling to the service.
1t may be also well worthy of consider ton whether it
would not be wise, very gradually and beyond .
reasonable limit to increase the pay Of the seaman in
proportion to the nub of continuous cruises he Makes
thereby creating additional incentive TO remain in the
service. Is believed that by the officers in com nand
returning from cruise ding in the department .
certified list Of those who honorablJ discharged there
will be but Iii tic difficulty IN simplifying and executing
this plan, and systematzicg it by registration as to
duce the good results incident to making them regu
lar Of the Navy and thus touch their pride we'll
then hearts Many interesting suggestions this sub
ert commend to the consideration Of Congress- by
my inme dis te predecessor.
Another change indispensable to the present secure