Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1853-12-21

! promote his conten tneat instead of nau1murs.
The sailor shore is reckless and wastefui; ahoat
he is remarkably avareious, and daily counts over
the balances due him, and estimates his rcckonings
of pleasures at the end of his cruise by the amounts
/ he hopes to realize
IF the good sailor does the work of the Indifferent
punish the aggard by forfeiture of pay, not to the
government but to the faithful sailor, and he will do
the additional labor with additional good will, and
without murmur.
If the deserter leaves his shipmates overtasked
with increased burdens by his desertion change the
present regulation-let the deserters pay be forfeit
ed to the faithful portion Of the e+etc, and not as
now to the government.
Instead of investing the commander OF the ship
with this responSibilty-in cases involving either
forfeiture of pay discharge from the service-let
commission of certain number OF officers OF the
ship be detailed and constituted a court whose de-
csions shall be subject to the approving of the com
handing officer. This would be very simple, would
break the force of captious cavilng at the single
Judgment of the commander, and would obvlate the
necessity, expense, delay, and demorazlng influence
of frequent courts martial composed at present,
of higher class of officers.
Let this minor court on every ship, with the 2p-
proving reversing or mitigating power of the Off
Ger in command, have plenary power to confine of
tenders, with a reduction of rations-wIth or With
out pay. Empower the commander, upon the re-
commentator of this commission, to d'scAGrge often
ders with forfeiture of pay Let the fund accrulng
from the forfeited pay of the imprisoned, the dis
charged, and the deserters constitute merit ttnd,
not to be distributed until the termination OF the
Judgment of this commission, based upon the con-
duct of the crew. to those who by them adjudged
on the homcward-bound passage to have been merl-
torious 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 to win share by fidelity to the
end. And the forfeiture of pay, with confinement
and reduction of rations, would diminish offences.
The establishment of this tribunal on each Ship
of-war on a cruise would tend much to secure ODE
dicnce from the crew to those in command, and
thus, instead of fogging and other degrading pun
iShments substitute close confinement, forfeiture OF
paw reduction of rations denial of liberty and shore
privileges. These would punish the offending. Let
the " honorable discharge" temporary leave-of-ab-
pay, the distribution of the merit fund, liberty
and shore privileges, be the reward of the mertori
and true.
The estimates for the support of the navy and the
marine crops for the year ending June 30th, 1855,
and for all objects coming under the control of this
department arc in the aggregate $11,730,515 10
From which deduct special OBJ
jectS, including transportation
of the mails in steamships 1878, 34 90
Leaves for the support of the navy
and marine corps 1881, III IS
The total amount drawn from the treasury during
the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1853, exhibited
by the statement of appropriations for the naval
vice, prepared by the Second Comptroller of the
Treasury was $1,000 ,120 81
From which deduct re-payments 1,11l,454 70 |
Gives $1O970,66 Oe
AS the total expenditures for all
objects under the control of tho
Navy Department; but of this
amount there was expended for
special objects the sum of 4,o39, 942 81 |
Leaving $69s9943 II |
as the legitimate expenditures for the support of the
navy and marine corps for the fiscal year ending |
June 30th 1853.
On the 3Oth June, 1858, the une1pcndcd balances |
of all appropriations coming under the cognzance of
the Navy Department was 50, 220,276 As. This a
mount will be required for the expenditures for the
current fiscal year. in addition to the appropriations
made for the fiscal year ending June 3Oth, 1854.
Attention is invited to the reports of the several
bureaus, embracing suggestions and estimates bear
ing on the portion of the public service belonging |
the propriety of concurring in many of the impor-
ant changes in the present contract system, partcu
arly presented in the report from the Bureau of
Provisions and Clothing.
Under the existing system contracts are taken too
often by SPECTATORS who, not being regular dealers
n the article they propose to supply merely embark
the business for the purposes of either selling the
contract, only complying with its terms If the
state of the market will admit of large profits being
made. Suits often brought on the bonds, but
successful recovery is far from being generally the
esult Of the trial | trust that the embarrassmcnts
which surround this subject may be relieved by
utary legislation.
In the present organization of the Navy Depart
nent there is degree of labor burdensome and en-
,arrassng to the Secretary of the Navy and
y dstracting his attention from important business,
which might, with great propriety and advantage, be
otherwise distributed. The establishment of Blu
eau of Personnel would merely add to the expens-
S of the government the difFerccce between the
rescnt pay of an officer and what Congress might
eem proper salary for one dischargng the duties
f such bureau. No additional clerks will be need
d. 1t is hardly possible that Secretary of the Ma
can be sufficiently familiar with the character fit
csS and service of the officers Of grades,
enable him to detail them satisfactorily for duty.
the hand of such bureau should bear the same
citation to the Navy Department that the AdJutant
ieneral does to the War, in would, in my opinion,
ontribute much to perfecting the organization of
his department.
have thus, sir, taken the liberty to present for
consideration many changes which, in my opinion,
ill promote organization, discipline, and economy.
here are practical reforms connected with this
ranch of the public service which need not be OBJ
-uded your attention in this report, but which
very effort will be made to effect.
l have the honor to be, with great respect, your
bedient servant j. Q. DOBBlN.
To the PRESIDENT of the United States.
SALES OF PROPERTY. The last standard con-
lined statement of the prices at which real prop
rty had recently changed hands in Raleigh, and the
riking effectthe Rail Roads and other improvements
re having upon the prosperity and growth OF the
aptal. In this Ias in the amount of business DONE
e far ahead of the beautiful "City of Oaks"