The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-08

still It can hardly be doubted that the range
Of promotion by selection, which Is now
practically confined to the grade OF general
officers. might be somewhat extended with
benefit to the public service. Observance
of the rule of seniority sometimes leads, es-
necnlly in time Of peace, to the promotion
Of officers who, after meritorious and even
distinguished service, may have been rem
derod by age or in6rmity incapable Of per-
forming active duty, and whose adaance-
ment, therefore, would tend to impair the
efficiency Of the army. Suitable provision
for this class Of officers, by the creation Of
4 retired list, would remedy the evil, with
out wounding the just pride Of men who, by
past services, have established claim to
high consideration. In again commencing
this measure to the favorable consideration
of congress, would suggest that the power
Of placing officers on the retired list be lin
tied to one year. The practical operation
Of the measure would thus be tested, and il,
after the lapse OF years, there should be &C.
easion to renew the provision, II can be re-
produced with any improvements which ex-
periencc may Indicate. The present Or
ganization Of the artillery into regiments is
liable to obvious objections. The service
Of artillery Is that Of batteries, and an or
ganizatioa Of batteries into corps Of artil-
teSy would be more consistent with the ma
tsre. Of their duties. A large part Of the
troops now called artillery are, and have
been, on duty as infantry; the distinction
between the two arms being merely nomi.
nal. This nominal artillery in our service
il entirely disproportionate to the whole
Ecre and greater than the wants Of the
country demand. therefore commend the
iisccntinuance Of distinction which has
no foundation in either the arms used or the
character of the service expected to be per-
formed.
In connection with the proposition for the
increase Of the army, have presented these
suggestions with regard to certain meas
ures Of reform, as the complement Of sys-
TEN which would produce the happiest re-
suits from given expenditure, and which
hope may attract the early attention, and be
deemed worthy Of the approval, Of congress.
The Recommendation Of the secretary OF
The navy, having reference TO more ample
provisions for the discipline and general im-
proyement in the character Of seamen, and
Tor the reorganization and gradual increase
of the navy, deem eminently worthy Of
your favorable consideration. The princi-
pies which have controlled our policy in re-
iation to the permanent military force by
sea and land, are sound, consistent with the
theory of our system, and should by no
means be disregarded. But, limiting the
force to the objects particularly set forth in
the preceding part Of this message, we
should not overlook the present magnitude
and prospective extension Of our commercial
marine, nor fail to give due weight to the
fact that, besides the two thousand miles Of
Atlantic scaboard, we have now Pacific
coast, stretching from Mexico to the British
possessions in the north, teeming with
wealth and enterprise, and demanding the
constant presence Of ships-of-war. The
augmentation Of the navy has no, kept pace
with the duties properly and pro6tably as
signed to il in time Of peace, and it is mad
eQuaie Tor the large field Of its operations,
not merely in the present but still more IN
che progressively increasing exigencles OF
che wealth and commerce of the United
States. cordially approve Of the proposed
apprentice system for our national vessels,
recommended by the secretary Of the navy.
The occurrence, during the last few
months, Of marine disasters Of the most
tragic nature, involving great loss OF human
life, has produced intense emotions OF sym
patty and sorrow throughout the country.
Il may well be doubted whether all these
calamitous events are wholly attributable to
the necessary and inevitable dangers OF the
sea. The merchants, mariners and ship
builders Of the United States are, It Is true,
unsurpassed in far-reaching enterprise, skill,
intelligence and courage by any others IN
the world. But. with the increasing amount
Of our commercial tonnage in the aggregate,
and the larger size and improved equipment
of the ships now constructed, deficiency
in the supply Of reliable seamen begins to
be very seriously felt. The inconvenience
may, perhaps, be met, in part, by due regu-
lation for the introduction, into our merch-
ant ships, Of indented apprentices; which,
while il would afford useful and eligible
occupation to numerous young men, would
have a tendency to raise the character of
scamen rs class. And 1t is deserving OF
serious reflection whether il may not be de-
sirable to revise the existing laws for the
maintenance Of discipline at sea, upon which
the security Of life and property on the
ocean must to 80 great an extent depend
Although much attention has already been
given by congress to the proper construc.
ton aud arrangement OF steam vessels and
all passenger ships, still it is believed tina,
the achievements Of science and mechanic
cal skill in this direction have not been ex-
hsustcd. No good reason exists tor the
aarked distinction, which appears upon our
statutes between the laws for protecting
life and property at sea, and those for pro-
tectins them on land. In most Of the states
severe penalties are provided to punish con-
ductors Of trains, engineers and others EN-
ployed in the transportation OF persons by
railway, or by steamboats, on rivers. Why
should not the same principle be applied to
acts Of INSTRUMENTATION, cowardice, or other
misconduct on the part Of masters and mari
ners, producing injury or death to passen
gers on the high seas, beyond the jurisdic-
ton Of any Of the states, and where such
delinquencies can be reached only by the
power Of congress? The whole subject is
earnestly commended to your consideration.
The report Of the postmaster general, to
which you are referred for many interesting
details in relation to this important and rap
idly extending branch Of the public service,
shows that the expenditure Of the year end.
ing June 30, 1854, including one hundred
and thirty three thousand four hundred and
sishty- three dollars of balance due to for
eigp Offices, amounted to eight million sew.
On hundred and ten thousand nine hundred
and seven dollars. The gross receipts dur
ing the same period amounted to six million
nine hundred and fihy-fvc thousand five
hundred and eighty six dollars: exhibiting
an expenditure over income Of one million