Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-12-09

| range OF promotion by selection, which is now nro
ticaily confined to the grade of general offices me-;
be somewhat extended with benefit to the nnbI;
| vice. Observance of the rule of seniority somrt
/ leads, especially in time of peace to the promot
Of officers who, after meritorious and even d.;
gushed service, may have been rendered by AGO. ~
| intirmity incapable of performing active duty avn
| whose advancement therefore, would tend to i'm;
the efficiency of the army. Suitable provision 60
| this class of officers, by the creation of a r,,
| list, would remedy the evil, without woundn, f
Just pride of men who, by past services have sSI
! liShcd claim to high consideration. In again r
mending this measure to the favorable conSider,t
of Congress, would suggest that the power of ri
ing officers the retired list be limited to one ra
| The practical operation of the measure womb tI
be tested and it, after the lapse of years. there sboi
be occasion to renew the provision, it can be rcno
| duced with any improvements which eXpcrirrno.
NAV indicate. The present organization Of thu NC
tillery into regiments is liable to obvious olicc,;
The service of artillery is that of battcric: and
organization of batteries into corps If aItIe
would be more consistent with the nature of 49,;
duties A large part of the troops now called W.
tilery are, and have been, on duty as infantry t
distinction between the two arms being merely no
insl This nominal artillery in service is entin
ly dsproportionate to the whole force and oroat
than the wants of the country demand ! IT.
fore recommend the discOntinuance of a distipcti
which has foundation i'll either the arms nSad
or the character of the service expected to he ,,
formed.
In connection with the proposition for the incro.so
of the army, have presented these suggestions Will
regard to certain measures of reform as the connie
ment of system, which would produce the baini
est results from given expenditure and which T
hope may attract the early attention. and be deemed
worthy of the approval of Congress
The Recommendation of the Secretary Of the Nav,
having reference to more ample provisions for the
discipline and general improvement In the character
of seamen and for the reorganization and gradual
increase of the navy. l deem eminently WORTHY of
your favorable consideration. The principles which
have controlled policy in relation to the pcrna
l,ITSo loYoI
sstent with the theory of our system, and shouH
by no means be disregarded But limiting the forca
to the objects particularly set forth in the preceding
part of this message, should not overlook tb"
present magnitude and prospective extension of our
commercial marine, nor fail to give due weight to
the fact that besides the two Thousand miles of At
lantic seaboard, have Pacific coast stretch
ing from Mexico to the British possessions in the
north, teeming with wealth and enterprise and de-
manding the constant presence OF ships-of-war The
augmentation of the navy has not kept pace with
the duties properly and protitaby assigned to it in
time Of peace, and it is inadequate for the large field
of its operations not merely in the present but still
more i'll the progressively increasing exgencics of
the wealth and commerce OF the United States I
cordially approve Of the apprentice system for cur
national vessels, recommended by the Secretary of
the Navy.
The occurrence, during the last few months, Of
marine disasters OF the most tragic nature inyoiy-
ing great loss of human Ere has produced intense
emotions Of sympathy and sorrow throughout the
country. 1t may we'll be doubted whether all these
calamitous events wholly attributable to the ne
cessary and inevitable dangers of the sea- The n.cr
chants, marines, and ship builders of the United
States are, it is true, unsurpassed in far-reachin
enterprise, skill, intelligence and courage by any
others in the world. But, with the increasing a.
mount Of our commercial tonnage in the aggregate
and the larger size and improved equipment of the
ships constructed deficiency in the supply of
reliable seamen begins to be very seriously felt The
inconvenience may, perhaps, be met in part by due
regulation for the introduction, into our merchant
ships, of adcnted apprentices which, while it would
afford useful and eligible occupation to numerous
yoang men, would have tendency raise the
character of scamcn a>class. And it is deserving
of serious reflection, whether it may not be dcS IA
bic revise the existing laws for the maintenance
of discipline at sea, upon which the security of life
and property on the ocean must so great an cX-
tent depend. Although much attention mas already
been given by Congress to the proper construction
and arrangement of steam vessels and all passenger
ships, still it is believed that the achievements of
science and mechanical skill in this direction have
been exhausted. No good reason exists for the mark
ed distinction, which appears upon statutes be-
tween the laws for protecting life and property at
Sea- and those for protecting them on land. In most
of the States severe penalties provided to pun
ish conductors of trains, engineers and others
.p!oycd in the transportation of persons by railway,
or by steamboats, on rivers. Why should not the
principle be applied to acts of INSTRUMENTATION,
coward ce, Or other miScond uct the part of
tiers and marines, producing injury death to pas
sengers the high SEAS beyond the jurisdiction Of
any of the States, and where snch delinquences
can be reached only by the power of Congress The
whole subject is earnestly commended to your con-
sideration.
The report of the Postmaster General, to which
you referred for many interesting details in rca
ton to this important and rapidly extending branch
of the public service. shows that the expenditure OF
the year ending juno so, 1854, including one hun
dred and thirty-three thousand four hundred and
eighty dollars of balance due to foreign offices,
amounted TO eight million seven hundred and ten
thousand nine hundred and seven dollars. The gross
receipts during the same period amounted 10 six
million nine hundred and tfy-fve thousand five
hundred and eighty-six dollars; exhibiting an OK
penditure income of one million seven hundred
and fifty five thousand three hundred and twenty
one dollars and dimnution o. deficiency, COM
pared with the last year, of three hundred and six
ty-one thousand seven hundred and fty-sx dollars.
The increase of the of the department, for
the year ending June 80, 1854, the preceding
year was nse hundred and seventy thousand three
hundred and ninety mine dollars. No proportonate
increase however, can be anticipated for the current
year. in consequence of the act of Congress of June
20, 1854, providing for increased compensation to
all PostmasterS. From these statements it is APP
parent that the Post Office Department. instead oil
defraying its expenses, according to the design at
the time of its creation is now, and under existing
laws must continue to be, to no small extent,
charge upon the general treasury. The cost OF mail
Transportation, during the year ending June 30
1854 exceeds the cost of the preceding year by four
hundred and ninety-five thousand and seventy-tour
dollars again call your attention to the subject
of mail transportation by ocean steamers and COM
mend the suggestions of the Postmaster General to
your early attention.
During the last fiscal year eleven million seventy
thousand nine hundred and thIrty-five acres of the
public lands have been surveyed, and eight million
Al.