Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1854-12-21

The Secretary of the Navy recommends an
additional but gradual increase OF the navy; its
reorganization. and the enactment of new rrgu-
lation, for the discipline and Improvement OF sea-
men. The movements al the various squadrons
are reported in detail The sloop- war Albany
WAS last heard from at ASpinwal ON the 2Sth of
September. when she left for New York. Pain
fu anxiety is felt touching her fate. The steam
or Princeton sent IN search nj her several
days since. Lieut.. STRAIN an party are compl-
mrnted for enterprise, and exhibition of powers of
endurance aud generous devotion To dnty III the
exploration of the Dnrlan ship canal route. The
result arrived at is that the proposed cannl is
totally impruciicahc; and this, the Secretary
upprehendS, settles the question forever. The
homburdmcnt of Grcytnwn 10y the sloop Of war
Csnne Is narrated and indirectly approved
Commodore Perry is highly complimcnted for
his success il Japan.
The Secretary does not propose 10 increase
the number of officers materially enlarge the
squudrons, and thereby largely increase the cur
rent expenses nor have II navy of the immense
size and extent of some of the navics of European
powers, but to increase the material of our navy
as at least to approximate to n state of readi
ness for emergencies. which wise statesmen
strive t. avoid, but wiser statesmen prepare to
meet.
The Secretary rencws his recommendations of
Inst year for the reorgan cation of the navy; the
| creation of retired list for intirm officers; tho
discharge of the inefficient, and to have promo
tions regulated by capacity an@ merit IN some
degree, instead of by seniority OF commission and
pay 10 some extent controlled by sea service
So far as he has authority these views will guide
his action, even without lcgislation
The Secretary is far from recommending the
restoration of hogging. The experience of the
navy justtes Its ahrogation. There is, howcv-
CT, urgent necessity for some substitute, accom-
| panied with plan of reward we'll as punish
mcnt-a substitute which would be prompt and
sure-in order to restrain the offender aud deter
the ncon,ideratc; to reward, equally sure, the
generous TO encourage tidclty and promote res
/ probability. 1t snot the severity. but the GER
talnty and promptneSs of punishment. which pro-
mote discipline. He recommends that the com
mander of any vessel be authorized by law To or.
der n summary court martial for the trial of pet.
! ty officers and those below them; that they hive
power 10 punish 10y dishonorahlc discharge IN any
/ port, or by confinement CT reduced ratons, and
without pay, with extra labor and denial of
shore privileges.
Its the Secretary's purpose TO immediately
adopt in modified form, the apprentice system
and 10 encourage the enlistment of American
boys from IL until n wears of age; to train them
first on receiving ships, then on cruisers, in
/ practical Stewardship He is clearly of the opn-
/ ion also, that the number of men in the service
/ should be increased ut lca.t2 800. The number
| of the marine corps is deemed entirely too small
and an indefinitely stated increase is earnestly re-
commended. The corps would be improved and
elevated in character by adopting some system of
appointing officers OF military education and
| trimming.
Prof. Maury's achievements in developing hi .