The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-12-28
From the Boston Post, Dec. Sc.
Report OF the Secretary or the Navy.


From the Boston Pos, Dec. Sc.
Report OF the Secretary OF tho Navy.
We print to-day the report of the Secretary Of the
Navy, Hon. James c.. Dobbin. II is weIl-writen,
stamp rejecting credit alike his sagaciiy and patrio-
sa. Its details OF the operations OF squsdrons The
las. year will be found presented in interesting man.
and the varied service of the accomplished scientific
corps is fully stated But The main features OF this thor
ough report are the recommendations Tor material 10.
crease Of the navy. and for comprehensive reform in
the various branches Of the service. So well devised
and carefully matured are its views that competent
judges pronounce them entirely practicable and worthy
OF being adopted by Congress.
The proposition TO increase the navy is prehxed by
statement of its actual condition. Here 10 a plain ex
hibiton OF the state OF oar navy
The American navy consists OF about seventy ye,scs
embracing all. from tho theline to the small q
line gates steamers and sloops-or war are no, ony sr
a. for service; but am advised by tho bureau Of con
are NOT now ii he arc
which conld be brought into service in ninety days
roo but one OF TWO gnns in the Bfax ian sqnadron and
we have steamer OF more than guns The law only
men. which, with allowance of proper complement
for each vessel would fleet OF Any vessels with
paper, il VIII be found that IN point Of size least
navy muck less Than oneirh OF that Of several Of tho
grea,er powers OF Europe and whatever may be lie rea.
tive superiority and efficiency Is not larger than
Tain other powers OF Europe which Of tho first rank
Such is the American rarine tia, ia expected n main
tain rank among foreign powers. protect grow
ng commerce. and 10 assert American rxh,s. We refer
10 the Secrela's Argument, TO show its ihadequacy Ais
accommodation 10 TO build forthwith eix krs,-claas
s,eameis; 10 convert shp.of the-line, The Frankin
into one; and 10 fit on, two irgaes He urges eloaaen
~ and powerfully to Congress The necessity Of immediate
acon
The chief Of the report relates 10
the reorganization OF the navy On This point the Secre
ary, also, - frank. bold and democratic He exposes in
drntfu han H. 81
present system works serioua mischief ths branch of
the servre-a system in which sneither merit nor sea
ssrvice nor galantry, nor capacity but seniority OF
commission requisites promotion and pay" Alter line
Of argument that will commend itself TO every true Ame
can as sound, the Secretary thus states programme oil
reform
en,s,tain The opinion thai, retired list, reduced
pay, for the ailhtul who have become inhrm tho
chage of tho nstcent who no claim on tho bounty
Of ieir government for services rendered promotion reg
aiaed by capacity and merit and not by mere seniority OF
commission and pay controlled by sea ser
vce-sre reforms not only demanded by condition oi
the service, by consideration Of justice but absouey ne
csssary to the preservation Of efficiency and ussfunesi
Another capital feature in this report 10 that portion
which relates TO the seamen. with Z encourage
permanent enlistment and To elevate their cbsvacer by
system OF rewards rs web as pun'ahments Seldom Mas
the brave, generous se-sacrsfcng kslor bad q more
powerful advocacy Of his Seldom has his char.
acter been more accurately appreciated ard seldom has
better argument been presented for new measures.
This able State PAPER presents plan OF reform a. vital
in ia principle As is comprehensive in its scope and
contains evidence that intelligent and wacbful eye
has beea Directed to every branch OF The service. The
same enthusiasm for the hardy and merorious
seaman that there IL for the faithful and
ofhce And Why should not who sail the sh 10 and
work the guss be a. much integral part OF the navy
- the ofcsa who direct their movemepsa The object
oil the Secretary to devse methods whereby mesites
oss service whether in civil military grades. shall be
recognised BY the government and be rewarded Finely
does be- remark that ",hs pride OF rank and position il
the anmank element that mparts vgor 10 the
age to the heart buoyancy the rpris OF the faithful
ofhcer and 10 not in accordance with the American no.
ton OF the relation OF things, that instead Of this iua-
ting appreciation By the government there should be chill
ing neglect lie, The whaling service at,ss, how
Immensely this idea, that the sailor knew that his hazard
oua service was To meet with reward, impaired vigof
enterprise and exsr,lon. Nothing OF thss
seen, Ordinarily in The government ship As at present
ward Than the poorest The profgaie On the re.
torn TO port both alike turned adrf They boh
leave the chip and leave the servicetbe best 10 receive
maj eppfecialsng regard from merchan
which ia denied by their county. Secretary Dobba
presents corrective plan for this in,uatce II ia the
sams-wih the exceplioa Of not being turned adrIt--
win the ofhcers The faithful service of wears and
service at all fare alike MerIteveryihng-hssto yield
70 the IRON. sohd demand Of seniority This fixes the
pay ana regulates The promotion. As 10 this anomaly,
some'h'ng more than curiosity thai will watch the course
OF Congress a. 70 such comprehensive plan However
much an opposition may strive 10 enlbarras. action,
cannot DOUBT that the democratic majority 10 Congress
Will follow up The moderate and practical suggestions Of
The Secretary, and mature such measures "A will srepsh
en- this right arm OF defence and make il worthy Of
the country.
We commend this whole report 10 orr readers II
Will amply repay a study. Ii 10 high Toned through ou
and she ~ that the department has At ia head IN indie
pendent and working Secretary. who has kept pace with
the progress Of the age