The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-01-01
From lns Boston Pos,,
8 I'D Fogyfsm I'm tho navy


who exhibits picture OF inefheiency and neapaeiy
~ higher grades OF the naval service utleryr erugnsnt
10 the notions generally entertained OF what is perhaps
ironically termed the right arm OF The nations defence =
yet the author appears TO speak by the book and is
entitled TO belief.
II is be regretted that the author OF the article aid
not fulfil his purpose TO point out name by name from
hat list OF captains those unworthy whose weight
hangs like an incubus upon the spirit OF the navy"
The public, whose money Is annually awarded in
liberal measure Tor the support Of this branch OF the
ona defence have right exact an account OF the
stewardship; but have submitted in silence 10
what these officers have been accustomed TO say of
themselves il is not 10 be expected that there will be
any departure from the beaten track of self gorifcaton
and mutual praise The author, too. had designed TO ex
pose what snailke command guses their characters
and conduct and to exhibit them Qhe capains) they
are IN reality Mr. Cartier has recently done this
purpose in speech delivered in the late session OF Con-
gess on the navy BILL wherein be details the services
performed by OF the most expensive and inefficient
squadrons ever employed in the Mediterranean.
The conduct OF the commander OF that squadron, as
exposed by Mr. Cartier, is most Ieprehensible
and thorough useessness for public objects seem TO be
the only features of that fleet; the OF money squan-
dered to feed the vanity and arrogance of most ncapa
BILE officer is as nothing compared with the debasing in
fuence which command so conducted must exercise
upon the whole service We who know but little of
naval officers apt 10 regard the person late
mand Of the Mediterranean squadron OF the best
representatives of his class for il upon this SUPPOSE
ton alone that find reason for his appointment to
honorable position. Yet if what Mr.. Cartier says OF
his conduct be true, the Navy Department has proved
aihless the trust con6ded TO it by the people in per-
hitting him for years 10 prostitute his position 10 his
private qualifications and comforts. The Secretary Of
the Navy il to the country. and particularly TO the
service which he Directs to take notice OF the charges
addressed against this officer by member of Congress-
protect him if the allegations unfounded, TO dismiss
him from the navy he has dsgraced If they proven
be true. Mr.. Cartier, if remember states that the
commodore of the late Mediterranean squadron al
most constantly absent from his ships, living with
his family on shore, and often remote from his place of
duty; that he rarely visited the ships for inspection or
exercise; and that he did not fire gun for practice but
in three years from the Independence instruct the
crew, and that he was not more than two three
months at during his long command that station
And yet Mr. Cartier remarks he is credited for
vice, and paid "a 900 per No notice has been
taken OF this officers conduct that we Of 1t
may be that shore station, with large salary elegantly
furnished house, and numberIeas privileges. may be
awarded to him for public acts which, in opinion
would properly forfeit his commission, when such men
judged by their conduct and not what their polt-
cal friends say for them. The Review throws little
light upon the immunity accorded these officers Il
them in the Navy Department. their brother captains the
chiefs OF the several bureaus, exert all their influence
seven in successfully, have them pass over
unnotced, although often involving the most fragrant
oHences; and when subjected to the formula of
court martial. the Review continues, "there are some
whom the records Of cours-mar,al will show 10 be ut
srly unworthy OF the position they occupyconviced of
offences which would have dsgraced any one and driven
him from The society OF all honorable men--they are
CAPTAINS in the navy still /"
Now, this is very humiliating exhibition Of service
which certainly contributed nobly to build up our
national renoNn, and 10 give US enviabIe character
throughout the world. The men who carried our flag
with heroic courage into the first doubtful conflicts with
English ships, and whose skill, knowledge and energy
paed the star OF Britain on an element she had anced
peculiarly her own, have, with solitary exception the
Review says, passed away and "cowds of mbeces ut
tery un, for the service have for years been baskng
in The glory and honor OF the navy. living upon the rep
uta,on which better men made for II.
To illustrate tins point the Review states here are 6s
captains the navy whose average length Of time in the
navy about 40 years; of these has been untm-
pioyed for 80 years. for 30 years, for 81 years.
for IS years. for "a years. three for 90 years. &c
Again, there "a captains whose whole service
bu, about years each One captain has served years
al years. years, two years, years.
&c. Many OF these officers 10 be found among the
junior captains, where some sort OF fitness might have
been expected. The Review continues '' These are
the experienced captains who carry the banner OF
this mighty republic in triumph the seas And
why is il that these have been suffered hss dly 10
the bread OF the people Because in time OF
peace they not deemed capable OF commanding
ship-of-war. They could not be trusted. The cursed
system OF seniority placed them there and there is no
of retiring and getting rid OF them. they have
chung like many slohs the branches OF the oak OF
the navy, until every green and living leaf has been
destroyed by them AS corrective OF this dscredable
state Of affairs, the Review suggests retired list 20
into operation at Forty OF the sixty EIGHT captains
should be retired Tor ncapacity, other If there
is any doubt who The forty are, we will undertake to
nominate them" Then he recommends promotion by
merit within certain limitations which strike us as rea.
sonabe and just, the next senior commander shall moi
be made captain but they shall 20 down the list unit,
they come TO one who will make good captain There
s not a commander who has not been in the navy over
thirty years. and whose character Is not perfectly under
stood; and it is jus, as easy TO make good captain
bad one
Spacious objections, drawn from political consid-
erations, may be raised against this plan; but the
good il will effect. and the good men il will ad.
vance. sufficient for the government. The "s-
tired lisi" should not be made a penslonsd place
for those mbeciles utterly unHt for the service.
who have been long idly eating the bread OF the
people !" il should inclsde only those whose character
conduct, and services ente them 10 the gratitude and
consideration OF the governments should be made hon.
orabe to those who have reflected credit and glory upon
tho navy and the county, but who longer aje
quate duties OF active life by OF age nfrmy,
or disability AS preliminary TO retired list,