The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-08-05

The Unitsd States Navy-Its Abusss, Win
Dugsesaisns fer RsfNn.
10 THS xproR or TEE BWALp.
Az our Congressional representatives and the
people generally ere directing their attention {,
our Navy, permit NE to make few remarks in ~
ference to it. ez
The Navy, in number of vessels, IL bat as pigmy
compared to giant, when contracted with those Of
England, France, Russia, and even Spain. As to
efciency and material personnel the drst three pow
err are our superiors. There Is an esprit du corps
in their navies; discipline is rigidly maintained.
their men are well trained and practised ct their
guns. We lack all this. Our young officers, who
perform all the SEQ duty, seeing no prospect Of i'd
vancement, lose all energy and vitality
sfter they have been .passed nidshipmen .
few yeas; many entering upon their duties
a. heuteDants, are mere cyphers in knowledge
and energy, It having died eut in the bud, and ne
ceesity cempels them to remain in the navy for q
living; and they have no professional pride. This
feeling dinuses itself throughout the whole naval
lystem. There have been too many officers for the
number Of vessels. sE
We must have retired list. slight increase in
the number Of vessels, with . retired list, will
remedy the evil. ! win instance ono case, whore .
captain Of one Of our n0blest ships, when entering
upon bis duties - such, had only seen seven years
sea service - midshipman and from wheoce was tho
knowledge and experience obtained necessary for 30
important command. The register now gives this
ocer ten years sea service out Of forty-O1e years
IN the service: His leave Of absence pay is $500
per aDnum. There are many neutral drones and
anything more than they have ever done, and are
~ doing, pulling at the skirts and annoying our
political representatives. There are class that have
bean suffered to do this for years. and have received
the most encouraging rewards, whilst the honest
UPRIGHT officer has to perform their duty at sea.
Perhaps It would be Interesting TO those gentlemen
70 see their names and service published at large
in our public prints Yet do not know that IL would
touch their consciences, for they have no blush
Of shame, when they receive salary monthly from
the purfer. This class should be fuloughed on one
quarter of their sea pay until their health or CON
science is sufficiently restored to them.
The liquor ration should be abolished; then there
can be DO excuse for drunkenness. Officers shout |
mot be allowed to have or bring any liquor on board
ofa ship, and none to be used, only as medicine.
The surgeon not 70 be allowed to administer oil of
tbat kind Of medicine in the cabin and ward room.
Three hundred thOuf and dollars Il TO be spprcpr
ased for the increase in number and pay Of seamen.
Their pay should be-Petty officers, per month, $25;
ssame1, sls; ordinary seamen, SIS; landsmen, sl2;
But Of what utility will be this increase Of pay if
the Hon. Mr.. Sellers proposition should be agreed
tOtbat none hut native born citz5ns be enlisted in
the navy? Where are they to come from2 They are
not to be found IN mercantile marine. The evil,
II it be such, only BE- remedied by making prsc-
American youth, not under eighteen or over twenty
three years of age. Numbers are to be found who
are DESTROYS to enter the service under the present
system and good pay. Let the officers on board
those ships, and particularly those who are idling
away their hme, doing nothing, and imposing their
duty upon other gradss-let those exercise the
men, learn them to hand, reef and steer, and work
the guns. The rudments can be inculcated ON board
thnca ~, M fNL Mt and unk,
by usiDg the tons of old rigging which 10 annually
sold at auction.
By such practice the officers ideas will be re-
fresbed, and the American seamen can be OBJ
tanned. The pay Of 0fHcers-that Of the higher
gTades-is amply sufficient; but that Of the passed
Didshipmen and warranted officers should be in.
creased to 81 200 per annum when on duty ct sea;
other duty. 81 ,000 on leave Of absence or waiting
orders, 500; after five years sea service, $500.
The passed midshipmen, owing to the slowness OF
promotion, become quke advanced In years, and
have families to support. before they become lieu
tenants. Tho waTT sntsA officers ere all men Of
same relative position in - service that master
mechanic does on shore, aN performs those duties
ON the home station. They are not In the line Of
promotion: thereto their pay should be increased
which they render. They are not, as the commits
stoned oflcers, educated at the pubic expense-eR
teriDg as meIc b0ys-but are men Of mature years
whose service is efficient and at once rendere
HvouaUe. IDls Class Vi omC:IS uire5t SO lmmo
diglely al the Duties Of tie ship, and to great ex
texe iasbion ~ discipline thereof, tASir pay should
DO Increased, az It Is not at present more than a
journey man mechanic receives, and not sufficient ~
suIport the position which they should occupy as
master mechanics and officers.
In . ike manner the first assistant engineers
pay should be increased. The pay of yeoman and
aimOrer should be increased in the ratio that the
seamaD's Is.
Tn done, a ,etire! and furlough list created, we
NAV expect the service to become efficient and use
ful-a proper spirit infused that win awake the
drones and take some Of the superabund ant flesh OF
the bones of the lazy skulks. N.
AuOust q 165A