Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1854-12-14

II
improved. While due regard 10 the security
| of ne rights of officers, and to the nice sense
OF honor which should be cultivated among
them, would seem to exact compliance with
the established rule Of promotion in ordinary
cases, still i can hardly be doubted that the
range OF promotion by selection, which is now
practically confined to the grade Of general
OIacers, might be somewhat extended with
benefit TO the public service. Observance Of
the rule OF seniority sometimes leads. esDec-
tally IN time of peace, 10 the promotion of
officers, who, alter mcritOriuns, and even dis
tinguished service, may have been rendered by
age end inhrmity incapable of performing ac-
tive duty, and whose advancement, therefore,
would tend 10 impair the efficiency Of the ar
my. Suitable provision Tor this class of Off
GERS, by the creation of a retired list, would
remedy the evil, without woundng the Just
"pride Of men who, by past services. have es-
'ablished claim to high consideration,
In again commencing this measure 10 the
favorable consideration of Congress, would
suggest that the power Of placing officers on
the retired list be limited 10 one year. The
practical operation Of the measure would thus
be tested, and If after the lapse of years, there
should be occasion 10 renew the provision, it
can be reproduced with any improvements
which experience may Indicate The present
organization Of The artillery into regiments, il
liable TO obvious objections The service Of
artillery is that Of batteries, and an organiza-
tlon Of batteries into a corps Of artillery would
he more consistent with. the nature Of their du-
lies \ large part Of the troops now called
artillery, are and have been, on duty as in
tantry; the distinction between the two arms
being merely nominal. This nominal artil-
lery in our service is entirely dsproportionate
10 the whole force, and greater than the wants
of the country demand. | therefore commend
the dlscontinuance Of distinction, which has
no foundation in either the arms used Or the
character ofthe services expected to be per-
formed.
In connection with the proposition for the
increase of the army, have presented these
suggestions with regard 10 certain measures
Of reform, as the complement Of system
which would produce the happiest results
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 inn
prOvement In the character of seamen, and for
the reorganization and gradu Il increase Of the
navy, deem eminently worthy Of your Ia
vorabl, consideration. The principles, which
have controlled our policy in relation TO the
permanent military force, BY sea and laud, are
sound, consistent with the theory Of our sys-
TEN. and should by no means be disregarded,
But limiting The force 10 the objects pariic-
ularly 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 10 give due weight
10 the fact that. hesidos The 2Oo0 miles Of At
lantic seabOard, we have now Pacific coast,
stretching from Mexico to the British possess
slons ~ the north, teelnlng with wealth and
enterprise, and demanding the constant pres
ence OF ships Of war. The augmentation Of
the navy has not kept pace with the duties
properly and profitably assigned to il in time
0t peace, and II IS inadequate for the large
held OF lis operation, not merely in the present
but still more IN the progressively increasing
eXlgencles Ot the wealth and commerce Of the
United States. | cordially approve Of the
proposed apprentice system of unr 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 pro-
duced Intense emotions of sympathy and sor-
row throughout the country. 1t may well be-
doubted whether all these calamitouS events
inevitable dangers Of the sea- The merchants,
mariners, and ship-builderS Of the United
States, are. il is true, unsurpassed in far
reaching enterprise, skill, intelligence and
! courage, by any other 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 con-
structed, deficiency in the supply Of reliable
seamen begins to be very seriously felt. Tho
inconvenience may, perhaps, be met in part,
by due regulation for the introduction, into
our merchant Slips Of ndented apprentices
which, while it would afford useful and eligi-
ble occupation to numerous young men, would
have tendency to raise the character Of sea,
men as a class.
And il is deserving Of serious reflection
whether it may not be desirable to revise the
existing laws for the maintenance of disci-
pllne At sea, upon which the security Of life
and property on the ocean must to 50 great an
extent depend. Although much attention has
already been given by Congress to the proper
construction and arrangement Of steam vessels,
and all passenger ships, still it is believed
that the achievements Of science and mechan-
cal skill in this direction have not been ex-
hausted. No good reason exists for the
marked distinction, which appears uton our
statutes between the laws for protecting life
and property at sea, and those for protecting
them on land
In most Of the States, severe penalties are
provided TO punish conductors Of trains, en-
gineers, and others employed in the transpor-
taton of persons by railway, or by steam
boats on rivers. Why should not the same
principle be applied tc acts % INSTRUMENTATION,
cowardice, or misconduct on the part Of mas
ters and mariners, producing injury or death
TO passengers on the high seas, beyond the
jurisdiction 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 rapid
" extending branch Of the public service,
shows that the expenditure of the wear ending
June 80, 1854, including Sl33 ,4a3 of balance
due to foreign Offices, amounted to $S, ,710, ,907,
The gross receipts during the same period,
amounted 10 Sc, ,S55 ,5S6 exhibiting an ex-
pendture over income of 81, 1855, ,32l, and
diminution Of deficiency, as compared with
the last year, Of 1851 1856 The increase Of
the revenue Of the department, for the year
ending June 80, 1854. over the preceding year,
was 800, ,309.
No proportiOnate increase, however, can be
aDtlclDated for The current wear IN consav