The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-05

adequate aeaehens of troops have undertaken furnish
the needed AID Without increase of the military force
these scenes will be repeated is TO be feared on larger
scale, and with disastrous consequences Congress-
am sure, viii perceive that the panest duties and re-
sp0nsibtes OF government involved in this question:
and doubt not that prompt action may be confidently
tepated when delay be attended by such fearful haz
ards.
The bill of the last session. providing for an increase of
the pay OF the rank and file of the army has had beneficial
results not only in facilitating enisments but in OBJ
vous improvement in the class of men who enter the
vice regret that corresponding consideration not
bestowed on the officers, Who in view of their character
and services and the expenses TO which they
ry subject receive at present what is In my Judgment in
adequate compensation.
The valuable services constantly rendered by the army
aud its nesnabe Importance the nucleus around which
the volunteer forces OF the nation promptly gather in
the hour of danger sufficiently attest the wisdom of main
tanning military peace establishment but the theory of
our system and the wise practice under it, require that any
proposed augmentation IN time of peace, be only common
surate with extended limits and frontier relations
While scrupulousy adherng to this principle, find in
existing circumstances, necessity for increase of mil
aIy force and it is believed that four regiments
of infantry and two of mounted men, will be sufficient to
meet the present exigency If necessary carefully
10 weigh the cost in of such urgency it would be
shown that the additional expense would be comparatively
light
With the increase of the numerical force of the army
should think, be combined certain of reform in
its organic arrangement and administration The present
organization is the result of partial legislation often directed
To special objects and interests and the laws regulating
rank and command having been adopted many years ago
from the British CODE always applicable
vice, 1t is not surprising therefore, that the system
should be deficient in the symmetry and simplicity essential
TO the harmonious working of its several parts and require
a careful revision.
The present organization by maintaining large staff corps
or departments separates many officers from that close
connexon with troops and those active duties in the field
which are deemed requisite qualify them for the varied
responsibilities of high command Were the duties of the
army staff mainly discharged by officers detached from their
regiments it is believed that the special service would be
equally well performed and the discipline and instruction of
the army be improved While due regard to the security
of the rights of officers and the nice of honor
which should be cultivated among hem would exact
compliance with the established rule of promotion in ordi
nary cases. still it hardly be doubted that he range of
promotion by selection, which is practically confined
to the grade of general officers might be somewhat
tended with benefit to the public service Observance of
the rule OF seniority sometimes leads especially in time OF
peace to the promotion of officers who after meroro and
even distinguished service may have been renderedby
nty incapable of performing active duty and whose
advancement therefore, would tend impair the efficiency
OF the army Suitable provision for this class of officers
by the creation OF retired list would remedy the evil
without woundDg the just pride of who by past ser
vices, have established claim to high consideration In
again commenting this the favorable considera
ton of Congress- would suggest that the power of placing
officers on the retired list be limited to year The
practical operation of the would thus be tested
and IT, after the lapse of years. there should be occasion
renew the provision it BIO reproduced with any i'm
organization of the artillery into regiments is liable to OBJ
vious objections The service of artillery is that of bait
res and an organization of batteries into corps of art
ery would be consistent with the of their d
ties large part OF the troops called artillery
and have BEEN duty infantry; the distinction between
the two arms being merely nominal This nominal artil
ery in our service is disproporonate to the whole force
and greater than the wants of the country demand
therefore commend the discontinuance of distinction
which has no foundation in either the used the
character of the service expected TO be performed
In connexon with the proposition for the increase of the
army, have presented these suggestions with regard to
certain measures OF REFORM the complement of system
which would produce the happies results from given
pendtrc, and which hope may attract the early attention.
and be deemed worthy of the approval, of Congress-
The recommendation of the Secretary of the Navy
having reference to ample provisions for the discipline
and improvement the character of eamen and for
reorganization and gradual increase of the navy deem emf
nenty worthy of your favorable consideration The prin
cipes which have controlled policy in relation TO the
permanent military force, by and land, sound
sstent with the theory of system, and should by no
means be disegarded But limiting the force to the objects
particularly set forth the preceding part of this
we should not overlook the present magnitude and pros
pective extension of commercial marine nor fail
give due weight to the fact that besides the thousand
miles OF Atlantic seaboard have Pacific coast |
stretching from Mexico to the British possessions in the
NORTH teemng with wealth and enterprise and demanding
the constant presence of shpsofWar The augmentation
of the navy has not kept pace with the duties properly and
prohaby assigned to it in time of peace, and is made
present but still more in the progressively increasing ext
gencies of the of the United States cordially
approve of the proposed apprentice system for national
vessels, recommended by the Secretary of the Navy.
The occurrence, during the last few months of marine
disasters of the most tragic nature involving great loss of
human e has produced intense emotions of sympathy and
sorrow throughout the country. 1t may well be doubted
whether all these calaous wholly attributable
to the and inevitable dangers of the sea- The
mariners and hpbudes of the United States
il is true, unsurpassed in arreacing enterprise skill
intelligence and courage, by any others in the world But
with the increasing amount of commercial tonnage in
Of the ships constructed deficiency in the supply of
reliable seaien begins to be very seriously felt The in
convenience may perhaps be in part by due regula-
on Tor the ntroducon into merchant ships, of in
Tented apprentices which, while it would afford useful and
'glbe occupation to numerous young men, would have
endency to raise the character Of seaen class And
t "a deserving OF serious reflection whether it be
desirable TO revise the existing laws for the maintenance of
discipline at upon which the security of life and prop
'rty on the must to great depend Al
hough much attention has already been given by Congress
the proper construction and arrangement of steam
es and all passenger ships still il is believed that the
esources OF science and mechanical skill in this drec
ion have not been exhausted No good reason exists for
he marked distinction which appears upon our statutes
between the laws for protecting life and property at sea
nd those for protecting them land In most of the
states severe penalties provided to punish conductors
TRAINS engineers and others employed in the transporta
ion OF persons by railway, by steamboats, on rivers
should not the principle be applied to acts of
subordnaton cowardcc other misconduct on the part
masters aud mariners, producing injury death to pas
engers on the high beyond the Jurisdiction of any of
he States and where such delnquences can reached
My by the power OF Congress The whole subject is !