The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-12-15
nded limits and frontier relations.

believed that four new regiments, two OF man
trv and two of mounted men, will be suthctnt
10 meet the present exigency. Ii 1t were ne
cessarv carefully to weigh the cost in case OF h
such urgency, il would be shown that the addl-
tiona expense would be comparatively light.
With the increase of the numerical force OF the
army should think, be combined certain measures
OF reform in It's organic arrangement ana
ton The present ganIzaton Is the result oi par
tial legislation often directed special oblects aud
interests; and the laws regulating rank ahd COM
nand having been adopted many yeais ago from 'ae
British CODE not always applicable 10 our seiVi
IL is not surprising therefore, that the system shouid
be deficient in the symmetry and simplicity esseht-
al 10 the harmonious working Of It's several parts
and require a careful revision
The present organization, By maintaining iase s'au
corDs or tlepaftments separates many oheers from
that close connection with troops aud those active
duties in .he field, which are deemed requisite 70
qualify them for The varied responsibilities OF ngh
command. Were the duties of the army stan MAIN
ly discharred by officers detached from their re@-
n,ents il is believed that the special service would
be equally well performed, and the discipline ana IN
struction OF the army be improved WINE oue re-
gard to the security of the rights OF officers, ana 10
the sense OF honor which should be cultivated among
| them would seem TO exact compliance with the es-
tablshed rale of promotion in ordinary cases. sun II
ran hardly be doubted that the range of promotion by
selectlon which is practically confined TO the
grade OF general officers. might he somewhat eXteha-
I ed with benefit 10 The public service
Observance of the ruie OF seniority sometimes lea"s,
especially time of peace 10 the promotion oil 9iA-
GERS who, after merlorious aad even distinguished
service may have rendered by age or lniirmily IN
capable Of performing active duty, aud whose au-
yanceDleut therefore, would tend 10 Impar the eI-
fciency OF the army. Suitable provision lot thls
class of officers, by the creation OF retired lls''
would remedy the evil, without woundIng the just
pride of the men who, by past services, have estao
ilshed claim 10 high consideration. In again COM
meuding this 10 the favorable consideration
of Congress, would suggest that the power o piac-
ing officers the retired list be limited 10 one year
The practical operation of the measure would mus
be tested and IT, after the lapse of years, there should
be occasion the provision, It can De repro
duced with any Improvements which experiences
NAV indicate. The present organization OF the atl-
lery into regiments is liable 10 obvious ooJectlons-
The service OF artillery Is that of batteries, and an
organization of batteries into corps OF artillery
would be Tnore consistent with the nature ol their
duties 4 large part OF the troops now called artll-
lery are, and have been, on duty as msah,r! 'ne
distinction between the two arms beng nearly noun
nal This nominal artillery service Is entire
i ~ disJropo1tonate the whole force and greater
= than the country demand. therefore commend the
f discontnuance of distinction, which has no tounda-
ton in either the used or The character OF tue
service expected tn be performed.
Z In connection with the proposition Tor increase OF
= the army, have presented these suggestion "t'l
regard to certain measures of reform, as the compile
uent of a system, which Wonld produce ihe happes'
results from a given expenditure and which | hope
may attract the attention, and be deemed worthy
r the approval, o! congress.
n The recommendation of the secretary OF the navy
| having reference ample provisions ioF lh'
dscipne and general Improvement in the characte
! of seamen, aud for the reorganization anu graoua
d increase OF the nav, | deem emineftly worthy o
is vour favorable consideration. The prime pes, "hci
o have controlled policy in relation TO The pernah
emf military force by sea and iand sound, con
sistent with theory o! system, and should BY
q no means be dlsregarded.
Bnt limiting the force to the objects particularly
"a set forth in the preceding part Of this message. W
i should overlook the present magnitude and pros
pective extension OF commercial marine, Ror laI
y 10 give due weight the tact that besides the tw
= thousand miles OF Atlantic seahoard we have now
Pacific coast stretching from Mexico to the britIs
oo possessions in the norh termlng with wealth an
: enterprise, and demanding the constant presence
: ships-of-war.
S, The augmentation of the navy has not kept pac
in with the duties properly and prohably assigned 10
r in time of peace and il is inadequate for the arg
field of its operations not merely III the present hu
IS still more in the progressively increasing exgencee
of the wealth and commerce OF the United STATES
cordially approve OF the proposed apprentice sy$tef
r for national vessels recommended ny the stcFe
a tary OF the navy.
4 The occurrence, during the last few months,
G. marine disasters OF the most tragic nature, lhVolN
I'd ing great loss of human life has produced lnets
of emotions of sympathy and sorrow throughout IN
country Ii NAV we'll be doubted whether all thes
- caIamitous events are wholly attributable 10 III
II necessary and inevitable dangers of the sea-. In
merchants mariners, and shiI-bnlders OF The Unite
d. States are is unsurpassed in far-reaching e
III eFprse skill, intelligence and courage, by any oil
ers in the world But, with the increasing amour
of our commercial tonnage in the aggregate, and u
Fy larger size and improved equipment OF the shps no
BY constructed deficiency in the supply OF relao
ye seamen begins to be very seriously felt
- The Inconvenience may, perhaps, be met, IN par
= by due regulation for the iHtroductlon INTO our me
a chant ships, OF ndentured apprentices; which WIN
M il would afford useful and eligible occupation TO nuf
an young men, would have tendency 10 raise u
,s character class And 1t IS deserviI
of serious reflection, whether II may not br desTaD
ne TO revise the existing laws for the maintenance
discipline sea, upon which the security OF iiie al
is property the must TO so great an extern
nc pend. Although much attention has already be
- given by Congress TO the proper construction and
aBeement steam vessels and all passenger shIT
W still it is believed that the achievements OF seien
led and mechanical skill III this direction nave noI De
pr exhausted No good reason exists for the marx
~ distinction which appears upon our statutes betwe
the laws for protecting life and property at sea-
ri those for protecting them land. In most o.
States penalties provided 10 punish conunctt
n Of trains engineers and others employed in the tran
;h portation OF persons by railway, by steamboats,
rivers.
Why should not the same principle be applied
re- acts OF iusubordinaion, cowdrce other mlscc
ted duct on the part of and Mariners produces
lI. injury or death passengers the high seas,
- yond he jurisdiction of any Of the States and whe
&c such delnquences be reached only by the po"
ate of Congess? The whole subject is earnestly reco
ur meuded 10 your consideration.
Tie report OF the Postmaster Genera TO VIII
- YOU are referred for many interesting details IN
Of the npbc service. shows that the expenditure
Se the year ending June 80 1851, including Sl331SI
i've balance due to foreign offices amounted TO SSH
of 907. The gross receipts during the same period
" mounted to S6,955,5 ,5S6: exhibiting an exPendit
and over income of 81 755 321. and a dimnution OF
nfi fcency as compared with the last year, OF S36