Washington sentinel., 1853-10-14
NAVAL REFORM.

NAVAL REFORM.
Telegraphc dispatches from Norfolk state
that the United States steamship Allegheny,
which had lately undergone extensive altera-
tions and repairs, returned from her trial trip
in disabled condition, and was pronounced BY
her engineer wholly unfit for service. Before
she was disabled she only made fveand.a-half
knots an hour, with the aid of her sails. The
Norfolk Arg1s confirms the substance of the
tive force of the Alleghany's engines were not
sufficient to prevent her from drifting ashore in
Elizabeth river, and her sails had to be used TO
prevent such catastrophe.
This mortfying and disgracefnl failure re-
minds us of a subject that we have long con
sidered of vital importance to the country--one
which we have already alluded to in our journal
and which we always intended TO discuss at an
early day, as fully and as thoroughly as our in
formation and ability would permit. We mean
the subject of naval reform.
There is vast amount ofantiquated ideas, of
cumbrous and useless machinery, and of worth
less and offensive rubbish in and about the gov
ernment which no executive, however honest
and jealous, can remove without the aid of
Congressional action. And in no branch of
the public service is progress, improvement and
reform more needed than in our naval system,
by means of which an onerous tax is levied on
the people in order to purchase modification
and disgrace.
We have full confidence that the Secretary of
the Navy earnestly desires to sweep away exist
ing abuses, and will do all he can to mpart vigor
and efficiency to our natioral marine. But he
Isl to great extent, fettered and manacled by
the requirements Of worn out, effete, and
rotten system that he cannot remove without
the aid of Congress. Yet Mr.. Dobbn may do
much. There is field-a wide field--for his
exertion, in' which he can win the applause of
the country, and deserve its gratitude as a pub
lie benefactor. He can correct many bad Gus
toms and evil practices but above all, he can
disregard the specious plausibiities of those
who are interested in preserving the existing
order of things; he can listen to those who
have the honor of the navy at heart; and he
can lay open 10 the view of Congress and the
country the true condition Of that branch of
the public service over which he presides, and
point out remedies for the leprous and CON
suming disorders that are proving upon it,
and eating out its pith and substance.
The whole world is astonished at the rapid
progress of our merchant marine, and the vast
improvements which the talent and enterprise
of our citizens have accomplished in mari
time architecture. Yet our national marine
stands where it stood forty years ago; scorning
every improvement, and deriding all progress.
Even the application of steam, which has
wrought such wonders, has been practically
worthless to our navy, notwithstanding the vast
sums the government has squandered in futile
attempts to avail itself of the genius Of Fulton.
The failure Of the Allegheny is but one in an
almost unbroken series of failures. 1t is not
exception; but harmonizes and accords in
all its essential features with an entire brood
the offspring of worthless system, and an
impotent organization. Yet the same genius
and talent, which private enterprise calls into
service with such wonderful results. are ready to
serve the government, and stand prepared to
meet its summons. The government has ample
means and abundant resources, yet it cannot
utter that summons. This seems strange, vet
1T is true, nevertheless and suggests the in.
qniry: Why is it that the government cannot
avail itself Of the genius and talent of the coun.
try, and keep pace with the improvements Of
the age, as well as private individuals and
associations?
The answer TO this question: when fully made.
viii set forth the many evils Of that worn on,
system which is fast discrediting the navy in
public estimation, and which, if not speedily re
formed-radically and thoroughly reformed
will inevitable ALLEVIATE many ofits warnest ant
truest friends. The limits of single articl,
do not permit the examination OF details; bu
we shall constantly renew this subject, and us,
every effort in our limited power to sustain an,
uphold the navy by aiding in pointing ont thos
evils under which it labors, and by sustainin,
all who desire to make it worthy Of the ma
ton. We know that the task Of a reformer is
difficult one, and calls down the denunciation
of those who are the honest slaves Of ancien
prejudces as well as Of the mercenary GREY
that always cluster around and batten on abuses
The first great step is, and must be- to reform
the personnel of the navy, and provide defnit
and distinct rules for its government. Whel
that IS done, and not until that is done, we ma,
reasonably expect progress and improvement
IN our naval architecture. Experience is gained
in youth and vigorous manhood. Age cling,
to its prejudices, and binds itself to the dead
corpse Of the past-distrusting everything new
as impracticable, rash, and reckless. The men
who fill the high places in our present naval