The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1854-12-15
VOL. VINO. 325.

urgency it would be shown that the addi-
tional expense would be comparatively light.
With the increase of the numerical force Of
the army should. | think, be combined GER
tain measures of reform in its organic ar
rangement and administration. The present
organization is the result of partial legisla-
tion often directed to special objects and in
terests; and the laws regulating rank and
command having been adopted many years
ago, from the British code, are not always
applicable to our service. ltis 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 careful revision.
The present organization, by maintaining
large staff corps or departments, sepa.
rates many officers from that close con-
nection with troops and those active duties
in the field, which are deemed requisite to
qualify them for the varied responsibilities Of
high command. Were the duties of the army
staff mainly discharged by officers detached
from their regiments, il is believed that the
| special service would be equally well per-
formed, and the discipline and instruction of
the army be improved While due regared
to the security of the rights of officers, and
to the nice sense of honor which should be
cultivated among them, would seem to eS-
act compliance with the established rule OF
promotion in ordinary cases. still 1t can hard
ly be doubted that the range of promotion by
selection, which is now practically confined
to the grade of general officers, might be
somewhat extended with benefit to the pub
lie service. Observance of the rule of senori
ty sometimes leads, especially in time Of
peace, to the promotion of officers who, after
meritorious and even distinguished service
may have been rendered by age or infirmity
incapable of performing active duty, and
whose Advancement therefore, would tend to
impair the efficiency of the army. Suitable
provisions for this class of officers, by the
creation of retired list would remedy the
evil, without wounding the just pride Of men.
who, by past services, have established a
claim to high consideration. In again COM
mending this measure TO the favorable consid-
Grafton of Congress, would suggest that the
power of placing officers on the retired list
be limited to one year.
| The practical operation Of the measure
would thus be tested, and if after the lapse
Of years, there should be occasion to renew
the provision, il can be Reproduced with any
improvements which experience may indicate.
! The present organization of the artillery into
regiments is liable to obvious objections. Tho
service of artillery is that of batteries, and
an organization of batteries into corps Of
nature of their duties A large part of tho
troops now called artillery, are, and have been,
on duty as infantry; the distinction between
the two arms being merely nominal. This
nominal artillery in our service il entirely dis
proportionate to the whole force, and greater
than the wants of the country demand. l
distinction, which has no foundation in either
h.. ad tl,ss h atsFn
expected to be performed.
In connection with the proposition for the
increase of the army, have presented these
suggestions with regard to certain measures
of reform MS the compliment of system,
which would produce the happiest results
from a given expenditure, and which hope
may attract the early attention, and be deem
ed worthy of the approval of Congress.
The recommendation of the Secretary Of
the Navy, having reference to more ample
provisions for The discipline and general i'm
provement in the character of seamen and for
the re organization and gradual increase of
the navy, deem eminently worthy of your
favorable consideration. The principles,
which have controlled our policy in relation to
the permanent military force, by sea, and land,
are sound. consistent with the theory of our
svstem,an should by no means be edisregarded.
But, limiting the force to the objects particu.
larly set forth in the preceding part Of this
message, we should not overlook the present
magnitude and prospective extension Of our
commercial marine, nor fail to give due weight
to the fact that, beside the two thousand
miles of Atlantic seaboard, we have now n
Pacific coast, stretching from Mexico to the
British possessions in the north, teeming with
hR
constant presence of ships.of-wur. The aug
mentation of the navy has not kept pace with
the duties properly and profitably assigned to
il in time of peace, and it is inadequate for
the large field of its operations, not merely
in the present but still more in the progress
siyely Increasing exigencies of the wealth and
commerce of the United States | cordially
approve Of the proposed apprentice system
for our national vessels, recommended by the
Secretary of the Navy.
The occurrence, during the last few months,
of maine disasters of the most tragic nature,
involving great loss of human life, has pro-
duced intense emotions of sympathy and sor-
row throughout the country. II may well be
doubted whether all these calamitous events
are wholly attributable to the necessary and
inevitable dangers Of the sea.
The merchants, ,marinesand ship-buiders of p
the United States are, it is true, unsurpassed
in far-reachng enterprise, skill, intelligence
and courage, by any Others in the world. But,
with the increasing amount of our CONNER
cial tonnage in the aggregate, and the larger
size and improved equipment of the ships
now constructed, deficiency in the supply
OF reliable seamen begins to be very serious
ly felt. The Inconvenience may, perhaps, be
met, in part, by due regulation for tho intro
duction, into our merchant ships, OF indenied
pprentices;which,whil it would afford useful
and eligible occupation to numerous young
men, would have tendencyto raise the charac-
ter of seamen as class. And 1t is deserving
of serious reflection, whether IL may not DO
desirable to revise the existing laws for tho
maintenance Of discipline Mt sen, upon which
the security of life and property on the ocean
must 10 so great an extent depend.
Although much attention has been, given
BY Congress to the proper construction and
arrangement of steam vessels, and all pnssen-
ger ships, still lis believed that the achieve
ments of science and mechanical skill in this
direction have not been exhausted. No good
reason exists for the marked distinction,
which appears upon our statutes, between the
laws for protecting life and property at sea,
and those for protecting them on land. III
most of the States severe penalties are pro-
yided TO punish conductors OF trains, engI-
neers and Others employed in the transporta-
ton of persons by railway or by STEAMBOATS,
on rivers. why should not the same princl-
pie be applied to acts Of lnsuooro'nnuon.