The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1854-12-13
synopsis of the Keport OF the secretary
Of the Navy.


The annual report OF the Secretary of the
Navy recommends an additional but gradual
increase of the Navy; its reorganization and
the enactment of new regulations for the
discipline and Improvement of seamen.
The movements of the various squadrons
are reported in detail. The sloop. OF. war
Albany, last heard from at Aspinwall, on
tue 2Sth September. when she left for New
York. Painful anxiety is felt touching her
fate. The steamer Princeton was sent in
search Of her several days since.
Lieutenant Strain and party are compli.
meEted for enterprise and exhibition of
powers of endurance and generous devotion
to duty in the exploration Of the Darien
Ship Canal route.
The result Of the expedition is, according
TO Lieut.. Strains report, that the proposed
canal is totally impracticable; and this the
Secretary apprehends settles the question
forever.
The bombardment Of Greytown by the
sloop- CyaDe is narrated, and the Sec.
Rotary remarks that 'he could not reprove
Commander Hollins for his conduct. Hu-
manlity often lends her sympathy to the suf
ferer, however just the punishment; but pat
riotism raroly condemns The brave officer who
administers that brave punishment, from a
sense Of justice TO his countrymen, whose
property has been destroyed. and whose ma
tional flag has been insnited."
The increased Fay to enlisted men, induced
the enlistmen. Of 1908 men in October and
September last, against 800 men during the
corresponding months last year. The nun
Der OF recruits required for the ensuing year
will probably not be less than 5000. He
recomends the use of camels and drome daries
for military purposes again, and asks an ap-
preparation TO test their usefulness. An in.
creased pay for officers is urged as an act
oil justice and necessity. Additional legis.
lation is asked to place the widows and or.
phans of The officers and soldiers of the army
on an equality with the widows and orphans
OF the soldiers Of the navy. The necessity
of revision of our military Legislation in
some important particulars Is pointed out, in
order to prevent conf citing claims in regard
to rank and command, which now gives rise
TO much Inconvenience and trouble. One
great source of difficulty is the double rank
recognized by our laws; to remedy this it is
proposed to give effect to prevent rank only
when the President may see fit. and forbid
the exercise Of brevet commissions in the
regiment, troop, or company where officers
are musterd. Elaborate suggestions for re.
organizations Of the staff corps are presenter
and compared with European systems. l,
Is proposed that there be nine Brgadier.Gen.
erals; one for each Department.; one for
Quarters. H. aster- Genral; one for Adjutant-
General, and one for Inspector G eneraI;
being an addition of three to those who now
BY Brevet, or otherwise, have rank and com.
mand as Brigadier-Generals. Other marked
changes in staff appointments rank and duty
are proposed.
Reforms in the organizeation of regiments
are also suggested. The expedency Of gen.
eral promotions by seniority instead of merits
is doubted by the Secretary; and the es-
Enlistment OF a retired list again urged. Pro.
fessorshps Of Ethics and Of English studies
at the Military Academy are recommended.