The Cedar County advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Iowa) 1853-1856, 1854-12-16

this measure to the tavora bic considera.
ton OF Congress, | would suggest that
the power OF placing officers on the re-
tired list be limited tc one year. The
practical operation OF the measure would
be thus tested, and if, after the lapse o.
years, there should be occasion to renew
the provisions, it can be reproduced with
any improvements which experience may
indicate. The present organization Of
the artillery into regime hts, is liable te
obvious objections. The service OF at.
tillery is that of batteries and an organi.
zation Of batteries into corps of artillery
would be more consistent with the nature
Of their duties. A large part of the
troops now called artillery are and have
been, on duty as infantry; the distinction
between the two arms being merely nom.
inal.
This nominal artillery in our service
is entirely disproportiona.e to the whole
force, and greater than the wants Of the
country demand. therefore recommend
discontinuance OF a distinction, which
has no foundation in either the arms used
or the character Of the service expected
to be performed.
In connection with the proposition for
the increase Of the army, have present.
ed these suggestions with regard to GER.
tain measures Of reform, as the compile
ment Of a system, which would produce
happiest results from a given expendi.
ture, and which l hope will attract the
early attention, and be deemed 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 improvement, in the character OF
seamen, and for the reorganization and
gradual increase Of the navy, l deem
eminently worthy Of your favorable con.
sideration. The principles which have
controlled our policy in relation to the
permanent. military force, by sea and
land, are sound, con,isten, with the the
DRY Of our system, and should by no
means be disregarded. But, limiting the
force to the objects set forth in the prece.
ding part OF this message. we should not
overlook the present magnitude and pros
pecslye extension Of our commercial ma
rlne, nor fail TO give due weight to the
fact that, besides the two thousand miles
OF Atlantic seacoast, We have now Pa
cihc coast, stretching from Mexico to the
IN
with wealth and enterprise, and demand
ing the constant presence OF ships Of war.
The augmentation OF the navy has not
kept pace with the duties properly and
profisabiy assigned to j, in time Of peace,
and 1t is inadequate for the large field OF
It's operations, not merel y in the presen,
but still more In the progressively in.
creaslng eIlgenc IS Of the wealth,and com
merce OF the United States. cordially
approve Of the proposed apprentice sys-
TEN iol our national vessels, recommend
ed by tie Secretary OF the Navy.
The occurrence during the last few
months OF marine disasters of the most
tragic nature, involving great loss of hu.
man HE, has produced intense emotions
OF Sympathy and sorrow throughout the
country. 1t will well be doubted wheth.
er I'll these ca!ami:ous events are wholly
attributable 10 tue necessary aad iaerita-
Die dangers OF the sea. Tie merchants
mariners and ship-bulldeEs Of The Uni
ted States are, II As true, unsurpassed in
iar-reaehlng enterprise, skill, inte llicence
and courage, BY any others In the world.
but with the increasing amount of our
commercial tonnage IN the aggregate,
aud the larger size aud improved equip
nent ot the ships now constructed, a de-
AGENCY In the supply OF reliable searnen
begins TO be severed felt. The incon-
venienee may perhaps be met, in part,
by due regulation or the introduction
into our merchant SHIPS Of indentured
apprentices; which, while II would afford
useful and eligible occupation to numer.
Gus young men, would nave a tendency
to raise the character OF seamen a. n
class and it Is deserving of serious re-.
reflection whether Il may not be desira-
Die 10 revise the existing laws for the
OF discipline at sea u,on
which The security of life and property
on the ocean must to 50 great an extent
depend.
Although much attention has already
been gwen by Congress to the proper
and arrangement, Of steam
vessels and all passenger ships, still
II Is believed that the achievements of
science and mechanical skill in this d.
rectlon have not been exhausted.
No good reason exists for the marked
distinction, which appears upon the STAT
utes between the laws for protecting life
and property on sea, and those fol pro.
tecting them on land. In mos, OF the
States severe penalties are provided To
punish conductors Of trans, engineers
and others employed in transportation of
persons by railway, or by steamboa, on
rivers. Why should not the same prin.
ciples be applied to acts Of insubordina.
ton, cowardice and other misconduct, ON
the part Of masters and mariners. pro.
ducing injury and death to passengers
on the high seas, beyond the iurlsdic-
'ion OF any Of the States, and where
such delinqaencies can be reached only
oy the power OF Congress. The whole
su0Ject Is earnestly commented to your
The report OF the Postmaster General,
TO winch you are referred for many in
seresting details IN relation to this impor.