The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-02-06

not. They let the grade OF passed miishipmen
supply the DEFICIENCIES, Doth in this grade and lieu
| tenants, besides performing their own duties ana
that OF midshipmen How can this be called just that
one grade should share the duties of three others
he exigencies of the servi e do not call for THIS
But in order that the useless captains, commanders
and leuiensnts may hold their present positions,
| here we fluid passed miashipmen, who have bSea
fourteen years IN the service, aud in age thiryone
to thirty two performing duties OF leatenants, again
az masters, and agsiu as midshipmsn-the latter
what they did twelve years ago. Is TINS 70
| stimulate ambition and distinguish merit? No!
assuredy no. This being the case, what grade
in the navy calls louder for reforml When is the
country 10 have he services OF those gentlemen who
FORM with the lieutenanss, the flower OF the service
Are they both TO live and die 10 their respective
grades to keep imbeciity upon its presens footing
Naval officers are not only useful in command OF our
ships and fleets but they are called upon to compete
with the highest order OF professional talent IN tho
protection Of our commercial marine in all seas they
must have knowledge of the institutions, govern.
ment, and commercial systems OF the principal
powers Of the world, and a general acqu antance
with the laws OF nations. They are called upon GO
protect not only onr seamen and citizens abroad bat
our copsuls and public agents. Sometimes they act
as negotators Of treaties, not only warriors, but as
judges and pacifcatos, and upon their prudence and
ability not unffequenty depend the question OF peace
or war. To fight ship well Is far from being the
only duty Of an accomplished seaman. His countrys
honor and glory depend fully as much upon his ser,
vices in peace as in war. These reasons alone call
sadly in decay. Reform is called for, and must take
places and hereafter those who advanced towards
posts Of trust will be found worthy OF filing Them
The present Naval Academy, but lately established,
will yearly give to our navy number !Of young
men Of the first order OF talent. Already has this
acsde been placed upon footing with that Of
West Point, thanks to the encouragement Of the Sc
sretary Of the Navy and the young gentlemen who
give their country cause to regret its Nrng care.
We have now glanced rapidly at the sea officers,
which title is given to captains, commanders,
lieuteDants, masters, passed midshipmen, and mid
sbipuen. Now, we will glance at the civil officers
Why they are called 80 am sure no good reason
can be assigned. The surgeons number sixty-nine.
They have been in tho service from forty-eight to
fifteen years, and at Me time of their entry could
not have been less than twentyeight; 80 their ages
are now seventythree and forty-,hres Those at the
head Of this list should retire and be allowed to rest
for the balance Of their lives, which assuredy can,
not in course Of nature, be very long. The passed
assistant surgeons nu aber forty Their time in
vice, twenty-four to nine years; age at original
entry about twenty-four; hence they are now forty
officers Of this grade should be promoted now, and
at no very dis tant day the junior ones also. Die
assistant surgeons number thirty-seven. They are
upon probation. At the head Of this grade we find
one gentleman who has been fifteen years in the
service, and for some reason never promoted. He
fills the place of . supposed efficient officer. Here
then, is the rst call for retirement Looking at the
column Of the present duty Of the passed assistant
of duty, and the latter seven. The GLASS OF officers
that we are now considering form q most talented
corps, aud decidedly one Of the most useful that we
have. In every cline are they most exposed ts ma
gnant diseases, and in their hands the lives of hun
dreds must be placed. What corps should we then
most cherish? They must not be kept awaiting for
promotion until apathy takes posse.si OF their
energies and minds for each must be the case
where term of service has no influence. Let age be
the star d rd for retirement from active duty
The pursers number sixty three They have been in
age upon entry rom twentyeight to thirty, but say
twentyeigst; they are now respectively seventy and
Twenty-Five The duty Of this grade Of officers re-.
quires much caree in its multiplcities, and where
age enfeebles the mind it is selfevident that the
countrys interest, well thirty years Of service,
should demand retirement At three score years tbs
activity of the mind is impaired, and these servants
OF the government would most benefit it by giving
way for their juniors. The grades Of chaplain and
professors OF mathematics are twenty four
and twelve. Almost constantly are they upon duty,
and certainly need full consideration as to age,
time Of service and abilities, which their respective
grades require. The grades OF boatswans, gunners,
carpenters and sailmakers number forty four forty
six, forty nine, and fortyone. Those at tn head Of
these grades have been in service twenty four forty
four twenty six, and thirtyone years respectively.
They are all elderly men, and well adv anced towards
seventy years Of age. Here, then, we find age ap-
pealing for retired life, and these branches Of our
service are OF such nature that 1t wouli require
pages to specify their usefulness and diversity OF
duty. Mostly they are men Of family. and al 10
crease of pay to these branches would be IN st ia
dicousIy applied We should have not merely prac-
tca men in these grades, but educated ones. Their
prest mt pay Is much less than what any active
on shore could make. They have no promotion to
ook for; hence they should have every pecuniary
announcement. ltisto be hoped that the grades Of
wsrrant well commissioned officers will oe free
" considered in the reform which is looked for. The
grades Of engineers and the entire marine corps have
all causes for reform or the former too much in
their praise cannot be said, and they must not be
suffered
nent.
Rapidly have we now glanced over the Naval Re.
gster; and upon reference, we find that Of late years
many plans have ben formed for remoddling the
navy One says create new grades; sAnother, no,
but greatly increase the present ones. Now, to every
sensible and uDprejudced man, lis evident that the
former Is vision OF the q old school, greedily
seeking after new honors, and using long road to
accomplish short distance; the latter, additional ex-
peDse and uncaled tor increase. From all that /
can learn from those acquainted with the subjects
retire list Is the best basis upon which to reform the
present abuses. A certain age established when
every officer shall retire, is doubtless the best rule.
This with inability, owing TO diseases, will have the
desired effect Thus, ieutenants instead OF forty nine
and forty five, and no chance of promotion as now,
will find themselves captains commanders; pas ed
mdshpmen instead OF thirty four and twenty seven,
without further hope will be lieuenants masters
even before those ages; assistant aud passed assist
ant surgeons will be sur, cons, and by all this spirit
OF emulation will be established which now assured
y is fast dying in the breast of the junior portion of
the service. Now, in this great era of the world,
whas better time could be found for the nation to
establish such code for naval and military la VS. as
shallensure the gradual increase and development OF
the talents of its junior officers? Now before these
spirits crushed is the ii me to give encouragement
and II viii DO found that if Decaturs Hulls BAN
bridges and Porters wanted they will ne forth.
coming at the time Everywhere We find that when
firmness OF character has been required. and pre-
per appreciation of the sacred rights of tie American
citizen abroad those men who have displayed
it have been on thesulny side Of life They have
been untrammeled by any intermeddling in politics,
firm and immovable IN their convictions and ready
to dare every odds, as displayed at Smyrna within
the last year. Such men We want and must have at
the head of our navy. Reform Is called for-yes,
loudly called for aud to this admni tration and pre-
sent 1nRress does the nation look for its accom-.
prshment
Our Curacao Correspondence.
ISL md OF CURAcoA, Jan. 4, 1854.