Daily evening star. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1852-1854, 1854-04-13
wAsHua1oH HIWs AID eossu.

WA1HUo1OH HEWS AID 0OssrP
An 0nslsught on the Postmaster General
In the House.-See report of to-day's proceed.
ings.
Reform In the Navy.-we understand that
the Chairman Of the House Naval Affairs Com
mittee is only awaiting the next scall'' of his
committee, to report his bill for the re-organi-
ration OF the personnel of the service, and we
are satisfied from what We have been able to
gather Of Congressional sentiment on the sub.
Jects, that it will soon pass both Houses with
out amendment touching any of its important
points or principles. Our impression is, that
it proposes to create two new grades of officers
in the service.
1st. Of Commodores or Commanders of squad
rons; the title to be recommended not having
yet been fully determined on. Of these it will
propose to make fifteen; leaving the aggregate
number Of commodores, captains and com.
manders rated as competent for the discharge
of full duty, and all descriptions of duty,
twenty-five less than the nominal aggregate
number of captains and commanders now on
the navy register as actually performing, or
competent to perform, full duty
I'd. The bill is to propose the creation of
thirty Lieutenants commanding, of course to be
be taken from the oldest leutenants on the
register, who are in all respects fit for duty.
The aggregate number of officers of all grades
proposed in the bill will be somewhat less than
the number now in the service. That is the
number who can, under any circumstances, be
entitled to full pay after the bill may become
law.
Among Its important features may be men
toned its provisions hereafter to prevent sail
ors (ofiicerD from playing soger"-from shirk
ing sea service. To this end it graduates leave
OF absence pay, and otherwise discourages the
granting "leave" to gentlemen ambitious of es
Gaping active service. It provides that at the
end Of six months ''leave'' on whatever pretext.
except on being transferred to the retired list,
the present ''leave" pay of an officer shall be
reduced; at the end of years 'sleave'' to be
reduced still further; again at the end of eigh-
teen months, still further; and, finally, at the
termination of two years without actual ser.
vice, the officer shall be placed on furlough
pay; or, in other words, On what is equivalent
almost to no pay. And to prevent gentlemen so
dispos ed from escaping the intent of this pro-
vision by procuring their assignment for a
brief period to nominal duty on shore, the new
law is to provide that if any officer obtains
leave of absence at any time after the expira-
ton of his first leave, prior to having again
served two years at sea, it shall be charged in
his 'ieave" account, so as to bring him under
the provision of the law requiring the deduc-
ton of his leave pay on account of extended
leave. a
The bill further provides for the appoint
ment Of board Of navy officers, who shall be
charged with the duty of examining into the
professional history, qualifications, fitness for
service, &C., of every officer of all grades in
TIE service, on whose report the Secretary i.
to retire such as, having served faithf uliy.
are now incompetent to the proper discharge
OF all the duties to be required of officers un-
der full pay, from age or disabilities resulting
in the faithful discharge of their obligations to
their country. Such as may be reported by the
board as unfit for the proper discharge of duty
on account of bad habits, or other incomre-
tency not resulting legitimately. are to be dis.
missed by him.
The bill contemplates good pay for full SER
vice, and fair pay for such as from sickness,
accident, or old age, must be "retired."
It also establishes by law the relative rank
OF the surgeons, pursers, &C., as settled in the
orders on that head originally emanating from
Secretaries Bancroft and Mason, without, how.
ever, giving the non-combatants command un-
der any circumstances.
The Committee have evidently been careful
to grind no " axes in their recommenda
lions; having resisted all applications to insert
provisions really designed for the particular
benefit of particular officers or classes of off.
GERS. Their main object has been to secure
first full and fair return in service for every
dollar paid to navy officers from the national
treasury. Next to provide that the promotion
Of the meritorious and efficient shall in no
case hereafter be interfered with by the posi-
ton of those who may lack either merit or
efficiency. And last, to prevent for all time.
and under any circumstances, the granting of
special favors in the way of preferred duty to
particular officers, under social or political per-
suasions
Movements Of Troops. -Interesting to TIE
Army.-General Scott has just issued the fol-
lowing general orders, viz:
GENERAL ORDERS, No. g.
HEAD QUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
NEW YORK, April 7th, 1854.
1.-The following movements of Troops are
ordered by the Secretary Of War, and will be
carried into effect in the manner hereinafter
directed:
l. Two Of the four companies of the 9th In
fantry now at Fort Riley, to proceed to Fort
Atkinson, at the crossing Of the Arkansas, and
establish temporary camp in the vicinity.
where they will remain till some time in Octo-
Der, and then return and take post at Fort
Leayenworth.
2. The two companies Of the I'd Infantry at
Jefferson Barracks, to replace the two com
panies Of the 9Th Infantry, ordered from Fort
Riley
3. The company of the 7th Infantry at Fort
Smith to take post at Fort Gibson; that at Fort
Towson, to join the garrison of ort Arbucl:e;
Fort Towson to be abandoned and turned over
to the Department of the Interior for Indian
purposes. - -
Assistant Surgeon Edwards, now at Fort
IoWson, to report in person to the Surgeon
General.