Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-01-17

Constructed. Yet experience teaches that
nothing but reorganization of the naval sys-
tenn can give that assurance; and nothing but
reformation of the personnel Of the navy can
work any valuable improvement in the mate
riel of the navy. We, wish to see the number
of our ships increased; but there is no use to
appropriate the public moneys in order to pro-
cure repetition OF the recent failures which
have mortified the nation, and fettered he ex-
ertions of the true friends of the navy.
AS the first step towards obtaining an eff
cient naval force, we would mention retired
hst-makinga liberal provision for those officers
who are no longer fit for active sea service-so
as to put the navy under the command of ac-
tive and efficient officers who have knowledge
Of the recent improvements in naval science
As the next STEP we would advocate total
destruction Of that impotent bureau system,
which has weighed like On incubus on this
branch of the public service; which has brought
forth as its proper and legitimate spawn, in
trigues and impure combinations for personal
ease, and high pay, and family advancement
When these things are properly cared for,
then some scheme must be devised by which
promotions can be made that will be beneficial
to the public service. We admit that the
right to promotion and the duty to promote
should be tested by merit. But unfortunately
there are no scales yet invented by which the
thing called merit, can be weighed and we fear
that merit in the naval service might be deter
mined on the same principles and fixed by the
same agencies, which we have seen many time
and oft direct political preferment The Sec
rotary of the Navy who, we believe is actuated
by patriotic desire to do his duty, for the sake
of doing his duty, has recommended process
by which promotions for merit shall be carried
ont ; and perhaps, if he could superintend the
working of the machinery he has devised, it
might accomplish some good.
But yet we distrust the future. The board OF
officers which the Secretary recommends, must
be changed often, and every selection of an of
6cer to sit on that board must be made with
single eye to the public service. But how can
the selections be made without reference to the
recommendations and certificates? Will there
not be those intrigues, and secret influences,
and corrupt combinations which are brought to
bear to obtain political preferment?
We do not throw out these suggestions in
any cavilling spirit. On the contrary it would
afford us much pleasure to be able to sustain
all of Mr.. Dobbins recommendations in their
fullest extent; for we believe that he has, as we
have, the interest of the Navy at heart. We
desire to bring up suggestions-to cause dis
cussion--so that we may be corrected where
our opinions are wrong, and the public mind
enlightened by sitting of the truth.
But there are two things about which we
entertain no doubt; and they are; first that
active sea service should never be overlooked in
granting prdmotion; and second, that lazy and
luxurious land service with full pay, should
always be considered in denying promotion
We have been most egregiously deceived if
there are not officers in the navy who regard the
navy as their manor to feed on. We know well
enough that there are many officers in the navy
who never intend to 60 to sea. They are content
to draw pay from the government; but when
ordered on duty, they come forward with some
frivolous excuse-whilst they have resolved to
resign if the excuse is not admitted 1t gives
US high appreciation of the patriotic pur-
poses Of the Secretary of the Navy, to learn
that he is resolutely determined to bring these
drones to the test, as rapidly as he cap, to
force them to work or to quit the hive.
But Hercules is dead, and the Augean filth
the aecretions of many years-cannot be
removed in day, nor in week, nor in
month. We do not, therefore, require that
Mr.. Dobbn shall at once give efficiency to the
navy; for without the aid of Congress, he can
not turn the purifying stream upon the stalls
and stables, in which the Augean cattle have
so long fed and fattened. We shall have
much more to say on this subject but we can
not say what we have to say now. Perhaps at
an early day we may review the Naval Register,
and in our review, state some facts most peril
nent to this issue. ~.
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