The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-15

Nn " oo%ge pfuanlsd ny Mall prunptly answered..
UNION AND JOURNAL OTTieE. L. o. COwAN.
~ increase tho current expenses, nor have
navy OF the immense sixe and extent OF
the navies Of European powers, but TO in.
crease the material Of our navy, 90 NJ nj
least to approximate to q state of readiness
for emergencies, which wise statesmen n
strive 10 avoid, but wiser statesmen prepare
10 meet The Secretary renews his recon.
mendations oi last year for the reorganiza.
lion Of the navy; the creation of o retired
list for inlirm officers (; tho discharge Of the
inefficient, and to have promotions regulated
by capacity and merit in some degree, in
stead OF by seniority Of commission, and
pay to some extent controlled by sea service.
SO far as he has authority, these views will
guide his action, even without legislation.
The Secretary Is far from recommending tho
restoration Of aogging. Tho experience Of
the navy justifes its abrogation. There Is,
however, urgent necessity for some substi.
tute, accompanied with plan of reward AZ
well as punishment-a substitute which will
be prompt and sure-in order to restrain the
offender and deter the inconsiderate to no.
ward, equally sure, the generous to en-
courage fidelity and promote rcspectability.
1t is not the severity, but the certainty and
prompness OF punishment, which promote
discipline. lie recommends th,t the CON-
mander Of any vessel DO authorized by law
to order o summary couri.martial for the tri.
al of petty officers and those below them
that they have power 10 punish by dishon-
orablc discharge In any port, or by conGno-
ment on reduced raiions, and without nav.
with extra labor and denial OF shore privi.
leges. II is the Secretary's purpose to i'm.
mediately adopt, in modified form, aise sp-
prentice system, and to encourage tho on.
lislment Of American boys from IA until 2l
years of age; to train them frat on 70.
ceiving ship, then on cruisers, IN practical
seamanship. lie is clearly OF the opinion,
also, that the number Of men in tho service
should DO increased Mt least % 900. The
number Of the marino corps Is deemed -en.
,ircly too small, and an indefinitely stated
increase is earnestly recommended. The
corps would be improved and elevated in
character by adopting sono system Of up.
pointing officers Of military education and
training. Prof. Maury's achievements in
developing his theory Of winds and currc mis-,
and his preparation OF charts. are no ticod
most Attterinsly. 1t is estimated that the
saving to our commerce by tho uso OF his
charts would amount to several millions per
annum. Robert l.. Stevens iron war sirnm.
er, shot and shell proof, for harbor defence,
is rapidly pro crossing. The boilers will bs
ready to put on board in about three weeks
REPORT or THE PENSION orricI.
The Whole number OF pensioners, Juno
80, 1853, was II ,SG7. Annual amount payG
bic TO them, Sl,070,070. Same, June 80,
1854, 14,065, md annual amount payable
10 them, 81 ,l72 ,65l 63. Number OF Reyo.
lulonary soldiers on The roll, June 30, 1855,
1895: number OF Revolutionary soldiers
on the roll, June 30, 1854, 1869. There
have been taken from The rolls uf tho Army
Pensioners during Tho year ending June 30,
1854, by death, Gi3; by transfer 10 the
Treasury Department, as unclaimed peu.
sions, 8S3-total, 1926. Oflhe Navy Pen.
sioners for The year ending September 30.
1851, % are reported dead, aud 38 iransfet-
cal TO the Treasury Department ns unclaitn-
ed pensions. OF those transferred 10 tho
Treasury Department but few arc again
restored 10 the roll.
REPORT OF THE PATENT oPPieE.
According 10 the Report o tho Commits
sioner ol Patents, the arrearages in business
in business in that Office have been well
pushed forward by increasing The number
OF examiners. Since the Isl Of January
600 patents have been issued, and tho
whole number for the year will reach 300.
or double that Of 1853. Tho principal
recommendations Of Mr.. Mason are that The
exam lining force be permanently augment
ed. that better provision DO made for taking
Testimony in cases Of appeal, and new
rate OF fees established. ......
REPORT on COMMERCE AND NAVIGATION.
From this repon il iappears that there have
been built within the prrsen, year 26i ships
and 6arks, CD briys, d35 smaller ves,els,
aud lel steamboats,, registering an aggIe.
gate, OF over 3i0, 900 ions. There were built
IN the New York district, 40 ships and
6a'ks, 7 6rigs, 1885 smaller vessels, aud 30
sleamboais-63, 400 ions. The total regis
tered tonnage Of the United States, on the
3Olh OF June, was 5,G6i,4iG; Of which
2,333,si9 was employed in foreign trade
2,622,li4 in coasting; 1869 in co,lfsh-
ing; lsi,90l in whaling, and CIT, ,Gi3 In
steam navigation. ,,. a' g
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