Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-12-06

cpated when delay must be attended By such fearful
e ards.
The bin Of the last session. providing for increase
the pay the rank and file of the army has had beneca
results only in facilitating enlistments, but ia oh
vou improvement in the class of men who enter the
vice regret that corresponding consideration was moi
bestowed ON the officers Who in view of their character
and services and the expenses to which they are
ry subject receive present what is IN my Judgment IN
: adequate compensation
The valuable services constantly rendered by the army
aud m nesmable Importance asthe neuclus around which
the volunteer forces Of the nation promptly gather in
the hour of danger sufficiently attest the wisdom of main
tanning military peace establishments but the theory OF
system and the wise practice under h require that any
proposed augmentation in time of peace, be only common
surate with extended limits and frontier relations
While scrupulousy adherng to this principle, find in
existing circumstances necessity for increase of mil
tary force and believed that four new regiments, two
of infantry and two of mounted will be sufficient to
meet the present exigency II IL were necessary carefully
n TO weigh the in Of such urgency it would be
shown that the additional expense would be comparatively
/ light.
With the increase of the numerical force of the army
should think be combined certain measures Of reform in
its organic arrangement and administration The present
organzatonis the result of partial legislation often directed
to special objects and interests and the laws regulating
rank and command having been adopted many years ago
from the Brtsh code not always applicable
vice. IL is not surprising, therefore that the system
should be deficient in the symmetry and simplicity essential
20 the harmonious working its several parts and require
a careful revision.
The present organization by maintaining large staff corps
or departments separates many officers from that close
connexOn with and those active duties in the field
which are deemed requisite qualify them for the varied
responsibilities of high command Were the duties of the
army staff mainly discharged by officers detached from their
Regiments it is believed that the special service would be
equally well performed and the discipline and instruction of
the army be improved While due regard TO the security
of the rights of officers, and the nice of honor
which should be cultivated among hem would seem to exact
compliance with the established rule Of promotion IN ord
still hardly be doubted that the
promotion by selection, which ia practically confined
TO the grade of general officers might be somewhat
tended with benefit to the public service Observance Of
the rule OF seniority sometimes leads especially IN time OF
to the promotion of officers Who after merorous and
distinguished service may have been by
or nnnty incapable of performing active duty and whose
advancement therefore, would tend impair the efficiency
of the army Suitable provision for this class of officers
by the creation of retired list would remedy the evil
without woundng the just pride of men who by past
vices, have established claim TO high consideration In
again commenting this measure to the favorable consder
ton of Congress- would suggest that the power Of placing
officers on the retired list be limited to year. The
practical operation of the would thus be tested
and it, after the lapse of years. there should be occasion to
the provision il be reproduced with any inn
proyemens which experience may Indicate. The present
organization of the artillery into regiments is liable TO OBJ
vons objections The service of artillery is that of bate
RES and organization of batteries into corps of art
ery would be consistent with the nature of their d
ties. large part of the troops called artillery are,
and have been duty inantry the distinction between
the two arms being merely nominal This nominal arl-
ery IN service entirely dspr0porOnate to the whole
force, and greater than the of the country demand
therefore commend the discOntnuance of distinction,
which has foundation in either the used the
character of the service expected to be performed.
In connexon with the proposition for the increase Of the
army have presented these suggestions with regard to
certain measures of reform the complement of system
which would produce the happest results from given ex
pendture and which hope may the early attention.
and be deemed worthy the approval, OF Congress.
The recommendation OF the Secretary of the Navy,
having reference to ample provisions for the discipline
and mpoven in character seamen aud the for
Reorganization and gradual increase of the navy deem emf
nenty worthy of your favorable consideration The prn
cpes which have controlled policy in relation to the
permanent military force by and land sound CON
sisteDt with the theory of system and should by no
be dsregarded But limiting the force the objects
particularly forth in the preceding part of this message
we should not overlook the present magnitude and pros
pecve extension of commercial marine nor fail to
give due weight the fact that besides the two thousand
miles of Atlantic seaboard have Pacific coast
stretching from Mexico TO the British possessions in the
north teening with wealth and enterprise, and demanding
the presence of shpsofwar The augmentation
the navy has kept pace with the duties properly and
protab assigned 70 in time of peace, and il is made
quae for the large field of its operations merely 10 the
present but still in the progressively increasing ext
gences of the wealth and commerce of the United States
cordially approve of the proposed apprentice system for
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 sympathy and
sorrow throughout the country 1t may well be doubted
whether all these calantous wholly attributable
the necessary and inevitable dangers of the The
merchants mariners and of the United States
are is true unsurpassed in arreaching enterprise skill
intelligence and courage by any Others In the world hut
with the increasing of commercial tonnage In
the aggregate and the larger size and improved equipment
of the ships constructed, deficiency IN the supply OF
reliable begins 10 be very seriously felt. The in
convenience may perhaps be met part by due regua
ton for the introduction into merchant ships OF in
denied apprentices which, while would afford useful and
eligible occupation TO numerous young men, would have
tendency raise the character of class And
is deserving of serious reflection whether it may be
desirable revise the existing laws for the maintenance OF
discipline sea, upon which the security OF life and prop
erty the must great extent depend. AL
though much attention has already bren given by Congress
the proper construction and arrangement OF steam
sells and all passenger ships still it is believed that the
achievements of science and mechanical skill in this direc
ton have been exhausted No good exists for
the marked distinction which appears upon statutes,
between the laws for protecting life and property at sea,
and those for protecting them land In most OF the
States penalties provided to punish conductors
trains engineers and others employed In the transporta
ton of persons by railway by steamboats, on rivers
Why should the principle be applied TO acts OF
nsubordnaon cowardce other misconduct the part
of and mariners producing injury death TO pas
sengers the high seas beyond the Jurisdiction of any OF
States and where such denquences can be reached
only by the power OF Congress The whole subject
earnestly commended TO your consideration,
The report of the Postmaster General to which are
referred for many interesting details In relation TO this Inn
porant and rapidly extending branch of the public service
shows that the expenditure of the year ending June 30
1854 including hundred and hirtythree thousand four
hundred and eighty three dollars of balance due 10 foreign
Offices amounted eight million hundred and ten