The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-12-15
Report Of the secretary of the Navy


terest by the friends, Of our navy. 1t abounds
with interesting facts and important suggestions,
and displays commendabe zeal and energy on
the part OF its author. We hayc room only for
the following abstract:
The report recommends an additional but gra.
dual increase Of the navy; its reorganization and
The enactment for new regulations for The disci.
plIne and improvement Of seamen.
The movements Of the various squadrons are
reported IN detail. The sloop OF war Albany, last
heard from at AspnwaIl on 2s,h Sept, when she
left Tor New Yoek. Painful anxiety is let touch.
ing her fate. The steamer Princeton was sent in
search OF her several days since.
Lieut. Strain and party are complimented for
enterprise and exhibition Of powers of endurance
and generous devotion to duty in the exploration
of the Darien ship canal route
The result Of the expedition is, according TO
Lieut.. Strains report that the proposed canal is
totally impracticabe, and this the Secretary ap-
prehends settles the question forever.
The 6ombardment Of Greytown by the sloop of
war Cyane is narrated, and the Secretary remarks
that she could not reprove Commander Hollins
for his conduct. Humanity often lends her SYM
palhy TO the sufferer, however just the punish
ment; but patriotism rarely condemns the brave
officer who administers thar punishment from
sense Of justice TO his countrymen, whose proper.
has been insued."
Commodore Perry is highly complimehted for
his success in japan.
On the increase Of the Navy the Secretary says
he ''is far from the opinion that the enlarg ement
OF Navy should stop with The action of last
Congress. The protection of our commerce. the
guarding our extended coas, the preservation Of
our rank as nation, demand that we should not
be entirely stationary, and with inactive ndiffer.
lpnc hehold he of 9th in
strength. Eren with The additional unfinished
steam frIgates our naval force will not exceed fifty
vessels in condition Tor service. Weakness invites
aggression, and never inspires respect, while
knowledged strength and visible preparations com.
mand consideration and are the true safeguards of
peace" The necessity and .propriety OF an aug
mented Navy is eloquentIy argued at consldera.
bic length. and the objections :hereto answered.
The Secretary does not propose TO increase The
number Of officers materially enlarge the
squadrons, and thereby largely increase the
rent expenses, nor have a navy OF the immense
size and extent of some of the navies OF European
powers, but to increase the material OF our navy
al least TO approximate state Of readiness
Tor emergencies, which wise statesmen strive to
avoid, but wiser statesmen prepare 10 meet 1t
will be the Secretary's pleasure TO co-opprrare
with The Legislative department Of the government
in practically carrying out these
The Secretary renews his recommendations Of
last year for the reorganization OF the Navy the
creation Of retired list for infrm officers; the
discharge of The inefficient, and to have promo
iions regulated by capacity and merit in some de.
gree, instead of by seniority OF commission and
pay, some extent controlled by sea service.
So far he has authority, these views will
guide his action even without legislation. He
IL cannot recommend for promotion to
higher rank and pay officers who do not merit it,
from Incapacity, either moral or physical. do
not appreciate the Justice or policy of promoting
TO higher grade an officer who cannot perform
It's duties, unless IN rare exceptional cases, as
complimentary reward Tor services rendered.
Ii is neither more nor less than elevang The in.
competent and then ordering the ur promoted com.
petcnt 10 do their work..
The objections against the proposed reform are
ably considered. He says much is still to be done
TO give proper shape, origin, vigor, character and
success to a system of discipline in naval service
He is far from recomme nding the restoration Of
fogging. The experience oi the navy juslifes its
abrogation. There is, however, urgent necessity
for some substitute, accompanied with plan OF
ard well as pnnishment-8 substitute which
would be prompt and sure-in order 10 restrain
The offender and deter :he inconsderate; 10 re.
ward equally sure, The generous to encourage
fidelity and promote responsibility. 1t is not the
severity, but the certainty and promptness of pun
ishment which promote discipline. He recon-
mends that The commander of any vessel be au- |
rhorized by law TO order summary court martial
for The trial of petty officers and those below them;
that ;hey have power to punish by dishonorable |
discharge in any port, by confinement re.
duced rations, and without pay, with extra labor
and denial Of shore privileges.
He renews his recommendations OF last year OF
the plan TO induce seamen to become permanently |
attached to the Navy, by granting conditional
leave of absence al the end of cruise and in
creased pay re-enlistment. Ii is the Secretary's
purpose to Immediately adopt in modified form
the apprentice system, and encourage the enlist
ment Of American boys from fourteen until twen-
ty-one years OF age TO tram them first on re.
ceiving ship, then on cruisers, in practical seaman
ship. He is clearly OF the opinion, also, that the
number OF men in The service should be increased |
al least twenty five hundred. The number of the
marine corps is deemed entirely too small, and an
indefinitely stated increase is earnestly recon.
mended The corps would be improved and ele.
vated in character by adopting some system of ap.
pointing officers Of military education and train.
ing. ..--. --.-..
marine basin and railway at the San Fran
cisco navy-yard is recommended.
Prof. Maury's achevmenls in developing his
theory Of winds and currents and his preparation
OF charts are noticed most hateripgly. Ii is esii-
mated that The saving TO our commerce by the use
of his charts would amount TO several millions
per annum.