Washington sentinel., 1853-12-09

tasked with increased burdens by his desertion,
change the present regulation--let the desert
ers pay be forfeited to the faithful portion Of
the cre,c, and not, as now, to the government
Instead of investing the commander of the
ship with this responsibility-in cases involy-
ing either forfeiture of pay or discharge from
the service-let commission Of certain
number of officers of the ship be detailed and
constituted court whose decisions shall be
subject to the approving power of the COM
manding officer. This would be very simple,
would break the force Of captious cavilling at
the single judgment of the commander, and
would obviate the necessity, expenses delay,
and demoralizing influence of frequent courts
martial, composed, as at present, of higher
class of officers.
Let this minor court on every ship, with the
approving, reversing, or mitigating power of
the officer in command, have plenary power to
con6ne offenders, with a reduction of rations-
with or withoutpay. Empower the commander,
upon the recommendation Of this commission,
to discharge offenders with forfeiture of pay.
Let the fund accruing from the forfeited pay
of the imprisoned, the discharged, and the de-
serters, constitute merit fund, not to be dis,
tributed until the termination of the cruise
and then to be distributed according to the
Judgment of this commission, based upon the
conduct of the crew, to those who are by them
adjudged on the homeward- bound passage to
to have been meritorious and faithful, and
loyal to their flag. The fund thus accruing
from various sources, at the end of long
cruise, would constitute prize sufficient to
stimulate the crew to win share by fidelity to
the end. And the forfeiture of pay, with con-
finement and reduction of rations, would di-
minish offences.
4 e IL = Il
ship-of-war on a cruise, would tend much to
secure obedience from the crew to those in
command, and thus, instead of fogging and
other degrading punishments substitute close
confinement, forfeiture of pay, reduction Of ra-
tons, denying of liberty and shore privileges.
These would punish the offending. Let the
honorable discharged" temporary leave-of.
absence pay, the distribution of the merit fund,
liberty and shore privileges, be the reward of
the meritorious and true.
The estimates for the support of the navy and
the marine corps for the year ending June 80,
1855, and for all objects coming under the con-
troll of this department, are in
the aggregate .$ll,73O,5l5 10
From which deduct special OBJ
jects, including transportation
of the mails in steamships 3,379,344 90
Leaves for the support of the
navy and marine corps 8,35l,l7l 80
The total amount drawn from the treasury
during the fiscal year ending June 80, 1853, as
exhibited by the statement of appropriations
for the naval service, prepared by the Second
Comptroller of the Treasury
was. .sl2,Osl,l2 81
From which deduct repayments l,lll,454 70
G;vaa cIo o1o Gee no
As the total expenditures for all
objects under the control of the
Navy Department; but of this
amount there was expended for
special objects the sum of 4,039,942 81 |
Leaving S6,939,723 II |
as the legitimate expenditures for the support |
of the navy and marine corps for the fiscal year |
ending June 30 1853.
On the Both June, 1853, the unexpended |
balances of all appropriations coming under |
the cognizance of the Navy Department was
$2,220,276 As. This amount will be required |
for the expenditures for the current fiscal year,
in addition to the appropriations made for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1854.
Attention is invited to the reports Of the
several bureaus, embracing suggestions and
estimates bearing on the portion of the public
service belonging to each respectively. Expe-
rience confirms me in the propriety of concur
ring in many of the important changes in the
present contract system, particularly presented
in the report from the Bureau of Provision and
Clothing.
Under the existing system contracts are taken
too often by spectators, who, not being regular
dealers in the article they propose to supply,
merely embark in the business for the purposes Of
either selling the contract, or only complying
with its terms if the state of the market will ad
init of large profits being made. Suits are often
brought on the bonds, but successful recove-
ry is far from being generally the result of the
trial. i trust that the embarrassments which
surround this subject may be relieved by salu-
tary Legislation.
In the present organization of the Navy De-
partment there is degree of labor, burden
some and embarrassing to the Secretary of the |
Navy, and severely distracting his attention
from important business, which might, with |
great propriety and advantage, be otherwise
distributed. The establishment of Bureau of |
Personnel would merely add to the expenses of
the government the difference between the pre-
sent pay of an officer and what Congress might
deem proper salary for one discharging the
duties of such bureau. No additional clerks
will be needed. 1t is hardly possible that
oeSic'aiy VI lhc navy Cati NC SulHClently Ia
miliar with the character, fitness, and service of
the officers of the several grades, to enable him
to detail them satisfactorily for duty. If the
head of such bureau should bear the same re-
lation to the Navy Department that the Adju-
tant General does to the War, it would, in my
opinion, contribute much to perfecting the or
ganization of this department.
have thus, sir, taken the liberty to present
for consideration many changes which, in my
opinion, will promote organization, discipline,
and economy. There are practical reforms
connected with this branch of the public SER
vice which need not be obtruded on your at.
tention in this report, but which every effort
will be made to effect.
| have the honor to be, with great respect,
your obedient servant,
J. c. DOBBIN.
To the President Of the United States.
CAMEL CoAL.-The discovery Of this valua-
bic mineral in our neighborhood in immense
uua ntities has heen rpndarad oarta;, -, .o.....