The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-07-02

3D. That class Of officers who are inefficient from long
inactivity who preferrng the comforts ofhome to the rgor
of the rarely take To il that prayers put up in
all the churches for their safe when they do go 1t
almost incredible To believe that of this class there
several to be found Tin searching the Navy Regster
Of the highest rank who during period OF years
in service have seyeraly only nne eight seven six
and of three years service enjoying during every
unemployed year Of that time "eavs-ofabsence pay
such a. would be assigned 10 officer after long cruise
This is imposition upon the country and is an evidence
Of its long orbearance and OF its sense
past services that such abuse should have been
permitted We feel that this fact has brought profess
sion into dsrput and broadcast the seeds OF our
unpopuarty 1t has done il has engendered feel
ing OF disgust and dissatisfaction among that prompt
and cheerful obedience orders which separate us for
from homes and country acquires for US no con-
sideraon whatever at the department where 1t Is reief
spared the of these gentlemen declining
ORDERS seeking by improper influence to be excused rom
them.
4th and lastly @Young Amerca'-those ambitious,
dashng young fellows who regarding the old landmarks
and observing how their seniors have toied through NE
time of subordinate service into the higher ranks, when
the vgor of manhood Slapped to the satisfied
with nothing which will not vault Them by single bound
into the fat berths and old boots of fogysmwho are
unreasonable in their demands.
The plans Of reform, If We rightly informed are
prospective in their character II considered and weighed
by their results through given number OF years to come
say tuenyhey will be found to have improved incalc
aby the condition and prospects OF this very class OF ON
GERS beyond what is possible under the present system
in no other respect than pushing out of their host
Of halt lame and blind which now block IT up Iney
will impose premium upon service and create vide
distinction between worth and worthessness. Az all
events we should all be ready to acccde to bill based
upou the positive necessities of the country We are told
that the committees have framed their bills with strict
reference to that calculations that they have been guided
by what they conceive to be the wants OF the couny ana
that whilst endeavOrpg TO infuse wholesome reform INTO
every department they have earnestly abored to promote
the interests every class OF deserving officers as lar as
they could consistently with their duty to the country
us not oppose this attempt at REFORM and let us beware
how we provoke the dspeasure OF representatives IN
Congress by suen and settled opposition to their meas
uresespeciay when these measures OF reform are ne T
sult of patent by the able and patriotic head
Of the Navy Department and the two committees IN Con-
oress Who with their distinguished Chiefs have devoted SO
much time and attention to this important subject we
shoud remember the history of the cato mine tails the
adjustment of which, and the effort to reform its ABUSES
SO opposition among that Congress
last in utter despair at beng ae 70 our abs com
nropration BILL the whole power without solitary sub
stutc to this day We had better be cautious how we
disrain too largely upon their pauence. we may nave
occasion to regret it.
The navy belongs to the country and was not created
for our conyenience; the footing upon which IT IS 70 oe
maintained should decided by rulers and
with single eye to the dignity glory, ana security OF as
nation No "reform biP that could be proposed would
give entire and universal satisfaction any objections
are started by officers they should be charged ~ln primo
c, nroo Of the sure effect Of such and such provisions 70
impair the efficiency of the service and not because uno
unaey they do quadrate with our plans ana hopes OF
advancement
Another class of officers told, reject any measure
of reform which does to them certain assmia-
ted position of rank Wesay to these gentlemen Jay asue
such considerations such time when there Is such
necessity for giving vitality to the navy IN the armhg OF
every powerful nation Of the world IN Europe
at this moment how far or hon soon rc may be
no one can say ho is only question OF time we
think From the China to the Atlantic masses OF
hosts marching upon each oher ana even upon
our borders threatened with an unavoidaDe
appeal arms maintain the integrity OF our flag NOT
that you should abandon your purpose or relax your e.
forts to obtain proper rank but let II stahd upon is
own merits Take your bill into Congress and II 1t IS
based upon aud right hope it VIII pass but DO
not make inseparabe from measure OF reform when
involves far mighter nereseven those or me safety ana
honor of country.
On the subject of promotion speak eelingly we
have clanbered along snails pace towards the next
century, cheerless discouraged sometimes asgusea we
have little expect persOnaly but our earliest assocla-
ons and closest ties cluster around and attach us TO- the
glory of the navy and desire 10 new life given to
ito it again the pride and ornament OF our country
possessing its confidence and Communications ut every
pense public private let be rcmOdellcd and renovated
The of the celebrity prompude power ana oespatch
which characterize the movements OF the navles OF Great
Britain and France is the nvarabe purpose OF those gov
ernments the plans presented by the Board or
Admiralty and Marine Bureau Their conncs are not a,s
racted by thousand and schemes OF irresponsible
and visionary officers of all grades So it should be with
us the best sources of information accessible to
Secretary that information is derived FROM and his opi
ions formed UPON facts obtained from the safest and most
reliable authorities his official report made up OF the re-
suits Of this hborous inquiry it's shaped into bill ma
ed by the committees of both houses and presented to
Congress for their legislative action proper rebuke
should be administered to any officer who resume In his
cOncct and WISDOM to defeat TINS actl0n nateVer
this hill may be- when fairly laid before Congress we hope
it will be sustained, and that members OF Congress
will turn deaf to these gentry from whatever class
they come. The Secretary is placed in his chair to
admnistratc for the navy his acts are otical-hs re-
sponsiby grave The committees are the organs by which
he communicates with legislative halls; we claim
for him that respect and consideration which due his
high position He is practical intelligent sound man,
evidently earnest in his purposes OF reforming the navy,
thoroughly acquainted with its present condition. and
tremely soctous to reorganize the navy upon basis
which will receive the support of the respectable and mer
torious officers of all grades We willing to abide by
his plans Of REFORM coc que coue five must be sacr-
feed for the good the public service be 1t So We appre-
bend no such result any grade oocers We tired of
navy agtaton-of this eternal twaddle about navy
form. Give somcthingt matters not MUCH whaso far
promotion goes We cannot he much worsted We are
the highest round of the ladder in one sense, and on
the lowest in another. BY spasmodc twitch Of our
rheumatic limbs could almost spring in among those
veterans above but should carry with us all the
mournfu vestges of another ageobsolete old ogyism
in its worst forsan incurable skeptcsm in thing
progressive and with these the avages of longevityan
old hulk collapsed by time and tropical evers and rdded
and distorted by every disease from the Group IN the cradle
to the govt cruches but spirit is unbroken. If
the country their terms let us by
the board We not willing to be considered the de-
PENDANTS of elcemosynar subsistence to be retained
suerance FLOR the good Of the public service certain
Of reform to be introduced Mt our expense we
must meet il manfully, bear it best can "kiss the
hand that smites u.s. and haul off into quiet TO
repair damages Almost any bill which provided "re-
tired list" would transform the navy into new establish
ment would compel officers to active sea-servce obige
them complete their cruises without coming home
every idle pretex and make at honorable and prof
liable share with their brother officers irly the tolls
and trials OF service afOat. asf .l tut
Too much praise cannot be given to the honorable Sec