The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1853-10-15
Naval Reform.

An article in the Philadelphia North -Ame-
rican expresses the opinion that the Secretary
of the Navy is likely to inaugurate new
era in the branch of public service over
which he presides. The Baltimore Anaeri-
can, copying the article, says there is very
little doubt that if Congress will stand by
the Secretary in his contemplated changes,
the Navy will soon be placed on such foot
ing that it may be relied on by the country
as ready to act promptly and efficiently IN
any emergency.
Among other measures of reform, Is one
which it is hoped will more closely identity
the feelings and interests of the sailor with
the service. As means of accomplishing
this end, it is proposed to give JACK an non
orable discharge at the end OF each 1nfee
years cruise, with an agreement tha' II ne
will re-ship at the end of three months ne
shall be considered only to have been OH on
leave of absence, and shall De eh'i'ieu 10 LIS
pay during that absence. we nave 10 doopt
this would be good step, out d SUI more e.
fcient, and indeed an Indispensable measure
j. to raise the pay of searnen in the Navy
and mt It on something like an equality with
that which is received in the merchant SER
vice. By this means only can seamen be Sc
cured of the best qualifications and charac-
Tar and whose conduct will be such as to
avert the necessity of restoring the use of
the lash in the Navy. Another excellent sug-
pestiou is the establishment Of a retired list,
nv means of which, superannuated and in
efficient officers may be put upon the shelf;
and another is the enactment of declara-
tory law, recognising the propriety of pro
motions according to merit, instead of semi
ority, as is now the general custom. This
is most excellent proposition. 1t will give
noble incentive to courage and good con
duct, and stir up the laggsrds with a long
pole or drive them from the service
The opinion is also expressed that the Sec
rotary win urge very considerable increase
Of our naval fierce, and especially an addi
tion to our steam Navy. In view of our ra-
pidly growing commerce, and of the large
increase of steam force in the European ma
vies, we hope that Congress viii promptly
respond to any recommendations of this char
acter. 1t may be question whether steam
frigatcs will prove match in fight for sail
ing vessels of the same class, but their uses
in harassing the commerce of an enemy are
not to be overlooked. But, above all, it
should not be forgotten that the most impor.
tant use which has yet been made of steam
in naval vessels is that which has been SO
extensively adopted by the Governments of
England and France, whereby existing ships
ct the line and f1gates have been converted
INTO prope!lers, without in any way impairing
their Qualities as sailing vessels. BY this
most important improvement, English and
French ships, carrying ninety guns and a
thousand men, move along under steam at
the rate of nine miles an houri 1t is easy to
see the immense advantage which such ships
would possess in an action over sailing yes
sells OF the same class, and the facilities they
would offer for the transportation of troops
Our own Navy could be swept from the seas
in six months by half its numbers, composed
of this description Of chips, and our coast b.