Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-10

pay) if within certain time they choose to re-enlst
IN the service. This would possess twofold urtueof
fair and generous treatment at parting and an invitation
to continue member of family caring for them during
temporary absence. They win regard the ship-of
their home they will feel that they part of
the navy OF their country they will compare their condi
ton with that Of the seamen of the mercantile marine,
appreciate their advantage and cling to the service
1t may be also well worthy Of consideration whether it
would not be wise very gradually and never beyond
reasonable limit, to increase the pay Of the in
proportion to the number of continuous cruises he makes
thereby creating additional incentive to remain in the
service II is believed that by the officers in command
returning from cruise, filing in the Department a
certified list of those who honoraby discharged there
will be but little difficulty in simplifying and executing
this plan and 80 systematzng by registration to
produce the good results incident TO making them regu
lar part OF the navy and thus touch their pride well
their hearts Many interesting suggestions this sub
ect commended TO the consideration Of Congress by
my immediate predecessor
Another change indispensable to the prompt securement
of the services of first class is to pay them at least
much their sk experience and character a0N command
IN the merchant seruice 1t is the effort of the Depart
ment to regulate the pay Of the hundreds of mechanics
and aborers in the various navy yards 80 to
spond with the pay Of similar employees in private estab
lishments outside of the yards Such however, is not
the case in regard to seamen. The appropriation will
not permit it, Ii is that necessity has recently
driven the Department paying bounty which will be
suspended so soon as the vessels indispensable to the
vice manned
Busy enterprise is dotting every ocean, and sea- and
river with vessels The demand for is proper
tionaly increased. The wages range from fifteen to
twenty dollars per month"; whereas in the navy the best
seamen paid but twelve dollars Can expect there
FORE command readily any seamen much less the BEST
under this of things My opinion therefore, that
the pay should be increased.
But perhaps the practical and important reform
promote efficiency in the corps of mariners is the blend
ing together system of rewards and pushmet, to
courage The meriorious and TO subdle the disorderly.
The abolition of punishment by foggng, without le-
CALLING substitute therefor has already occupied
the attention of Congress and the country and severely
tested the orbearance and ingenuity of officers and the
character of our This subject has engaged my
earnest and anxious inquiry, and have hesitation in
expressing opinion against its restoration Having
Gently visited OF the ships in commission conversed
with the veteran Sailors and listened to the narratives
of officers who have had the command of large
since the law of 1885, my decided conviction concurred
in too by many officers who originally opposed its abo
ton is that its restoration would create discomfort and
deserton and prove positively preudical to the ecien
cy Of that branch of the public service But at the
time cannot too seriously urge the policy of gdkzg
some substitute therefor
1t is said that the confinement of the dsorderly and
fractory seamen is but little punishment to them, but
rather burdensome and oppressive to the faithful, whose
increased abors make them the sufferers, and create
uctance the part of good sailors to remain in the
vice. This suggestion merits consideration. propose
remedy by which the punishment Of the ndoent and
deserter will increase the pay of the faithful and thereby
tend to promote his contenaen instead Of murmurs.
The sailor shore is reckless and wasteful afoat he
is remarkably avarcious, and daily counts the ba
ances due him. and estimates his reckonngs of pleasures
the end Of his cruise by the he hopes
aze If the good sailor does the work of the Indifferent
punish the aggard by forfeiture of pay not to the Coz
ernnaen but to the faithful sailor and he will do the ad
ditional labor with additional good will and without
If the desrer leaves his shipmates overtasked
with increased burdens by his deserton change the pre-
regulation let the deserters pay be forfeited to the
faithful portion Of the crep, and not, now to the Gov
eminent
Instead of ;nvestin0 tho commander NJ the shin with
this responsibility involving either forfeiture
of pay discharge from the servce-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 commanding officer This
would be very simple would break the force of captous
cavlng at the single judgment of the commander and
would obvate the necessity expense delay and demora
lining influence of frequent courtsmartia composed as
at present, of higher class of officers
Let this minor court every ship with the approving
reversng or mitigating power Of the officer in command
Of ratisns, with without pay Empower the COM
mander upon the recommendation of this commission to
discharge offenders with forfeiture of pay Let the fund
accrung from the forfeited pay of the imprisoned the
discharged and the deserters constitute merit fund
be distributed until the termination of the cruise
and then to be distributed according to the Judgment Of
this commission based upon the conduct of the
those who BY them adudged the homeward bound
passage to have been merorous and faithful and loyal
to their flag. The fund thus accrung from various
sources at the end Of long cruise would constitute
prize sufficient to stimulate the crew to win share by
fidelity the end and the forfeiture of pay, with
fnement and reduction of rations, would diminish
offences.
The establishment of this tribunal each shipofwar
cruise would tend much to obedience from
the to those in command and thus instead of fog
GIG and other degrading punshments substitute close
confinement forfeiture of pay reduction of rations de-
NAL liberty and shore privileges These would punish
the offending. Let the honorable discharge, Temporal
ry pay, the distribution of the merit
fund.- liberty and shore privileges, be the reward Of the
meritorious and true.
EXPENSES OF THE NAVY.
The estimates for the support of the navy and the
corps for the year ending June 3d. 1885, and for all
objects coming under the control of this Department
in the aggregate Sll IoO,ol6 l9
From which deduct special objects, in
Guiding transportation of the mails in
steamships. 3379 344 90
Leaves for the support of the navy and
marine S,36l,lI IL
The total amount drawn from the Treasury during the
fiscal year ending June 3d. 1853, exhibited by the
statement of appropriations for the naval service pre-
pared by the Second Comptroller Of the Treasury
was. 81, O9l, lZU 81
From which deduct repayments....... ILL., 54 70
-
80 s79, $3.50 0s
As the total expenditures for all objects
under the control Of the Navy Depart
80 ~