Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-11-01
s NAVY REFORM.

We extract from the Maysyille (Kentucky)
Express the following article, which seems to
have been suggested by something from our
pen, in relation to the subject of reform in the
navy. The views presented are very sensible,
and are evidently the results of reflection and
investigation. We are happy to believe that
the present distinguished and popular Secretary
of the Navy has long since seen the necessity
Of reform in the navy, and will adapt his action
to the demands aud exigencies Of the times.
The navy has, to certain extent, become ineffi-
Gent and has been injured in popular estima-
ton by wrong management. The navy should
not be held responsible and be made to suffer
for the mismanagement of those having control
Of it. Whatever is wrong about it should be
corrected, and we doubt not will be corrected so
far as the laws in force will allow, by the pres
ent admirable and popular secretary.
After copying an article from the Sentinel,
the Express says;
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 the country at heart. The
worthless and offensive rubbish to which the
Sentinel alludes will be found at the heads of
the several naval bureaus in the department ut
Washington. The law requires that these Off
GERS shall be selected from o certain rank in the
navy, instead of allowing the President to take
men of any grade who are competent to dis
charge 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 Anticipated notions and been the most
stubborn and persistent of all others in their
hostility to all progress in the navy. Belong
ing 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 reflex of the old fogie
characteristics of these subordinates, when he
should pursue more independent and enlight-
ened policy.
" The law should be altered The Secretary
should have power to select the heads of bu-
reaus from any rank in the navy. He should
be allowed to take the most enlightened, expe-
rienced, and competent men, no matter whether
found among passed midshipmen, lieutenants,
masters, or captains. There is genius and tai
emit enough in the navy for any purpose but
unwise legislation denies the government the
benefit ofthem, 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 fearfully manifest
to all, have been urged with great zeal and
ability in Congress for the last six or eight
years. 1t has never occurred that any new
measure of interest to the navy, not stamped
with the sanction Of the Bureau Of Construction
and Equipment, or of Ordnance, or Of Yards
and Docks, no matter how wise or important,
has not been resisted by them. They find will
ing instruments in Congress to carry out their
behests. Let the old fogies of the Navy De-
partment only signify their opposition to any
measure in relation to the navy, and the old
fogies OF the House are ready in an instant to
execute their will.
Under the demagogical plea Of economy,
measures are voted down by class Of men in
Congress who have no sensible idea Of what
economy really means. II is so with naval re-
form, and the usual excuse for opposition to
improvement in the navy is, that 1t costs money,
where in truth an efficient navy is the best
economy the government could practice. Bet
ter had the government blow up every hulk it
now owns, thans keep them afoat with an an
nual waste Of $l0,000,000 as it is now doing.
We spend $2,000,000 per year in repairing
these old huIks, and S2,000,O00 for improve,
ment and repairs Of yards and stations, where
most of the vessels lay rotting and unfit for ser
vice half the timo.
All these facts are well known to the edi-
tors Of the Sentinel and we are glad to see that
the friends Of progress and reform will have
its efficient aid in bringing about better state
OF things. The law must be altered SO far as
to enable the secretary to dismiss the. worm
eaten rubbish from the bureaus, and Congress
must revolutionize the navy in all other re-
spects, The present Secretary of the Navy is
man Of progress, and he must be sustained. I