The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-26

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
There has been much said and written lately on
the subject Of naval reform and believe none will
deny its necessity, if intend keeping up navy at
ALL but the chief difficulty seems to be when to com,
mence. 1t Is said that the old foges stand in the
way of progress. That readily admit; but it is the
downward progress which they retard. Old fogies'
indeed Those gallant men whose skillful deeds of
daring, forty years ago. covered little navy with
immortal glory, the history of which swels the heart
of every true American with pride and exultation.
What the old fogies have done we know; what the
young fogies (or fogysm is Of particular age are
doing we also know. They figure in the polka at
balls in sundry ports OF the Mediterranean, sustain
the dignity of gilt buttons and q moustache, and
often sport a rattan with some degree Of elegance,
having an extravagant opinion Of their own great
ness and unconscious of any merit in others. That
such specimens Of Young America should despse the
warworn veterans of our navy is no matter Of sur
prise. A writer in one Of the New York papers
proves conclusively that have excess of officers
for our navy. Whence is this? A distinguished
officer admits that our navy is not more efficient than
it was twenty years ago. 1t then follows that the
appointments have been excessive and without pro-
per regard to the best interests of the service. This
believe is one of the principal reasons for the de-
cline of the personnel Of our navy. politician has
idle, worthless son to be provided for the young
gentleman has not one qualification Tor the service
no mattertte father has influence at court, the ap-
pointment is made, and the promising officer spends
his life, not in seeking service but In lodging it, and
actually gories in his own shame, by Boosting that
his friends have sufficient influence to prevent his
being detailed to any unpleasant service. This is no
fiction, but true picture. The evils resulting from
this system Of EepOtism are obvious and need no
comment retired list il strongly urged by
L tha Axyav <oUn IF offor1t nu
support to the worthless as well as the deserving,
but perhaps no better plan could be devised II it
would relieve the merchant service from the hungry
swarm If naval officers which presses like an incubus
on that branch Of our national prosperity, should
welcome it. These officers drawing pay from govcrn-
ment, in addition to the compensation allowed by the
ships to which they are attached, take the place OF
men trane for this their legitimate businessmen
who contribute to the support Of the navy-and
young men who are much needed to officer our mer-
chant ships, are thereby discouraged from entering
that service. The plea is urged that they are en-
ployed in carrying the mails. If this be necessary,
with equal propriety may officers OF the army be en-
poy ed in the transit of the land mails 1t is not 10
accordance with our republican institutions. The
British government which has employed the excess
of naval officers in that way, is now withdra wing
them even from the posts of mail agents which they
have occupied in ships not SO commanded. For many
years we have justly claimed great superiority tor
our merchant ships; and we differ in toto from
the writer, who thinks we require Cunard engines
in American models. The performance of the
Collins steamers, which intro duced a new era in
Ocean steaming, fully proves that we need not
90 abroad for engines for our war steamers
/ understand that the Office of chief engineer
is at present held by very able aud efficient
man, and if Congress make liberal appropria
tons, apd such mipisTatons Of office do not depend
political changes their ability to sustain them
selves on o certain platform, l think we may con-
struct engines equal to our models, which are &C,
knowledq ed to be superior to any in the world In
comparing the performance Of the Pacific with that
of the Mississippi gallant young oiiier remarked
that speed was Of no importance, as war ste ,mers
were intend to eight and not run. But speed may
avail to attack as well as avoid an enemy.
MASSACHUSETTS.