Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-02

ards.
The bill of the last session. providing for increase Of
the pay of the rank and file of the has had beneficial
results, only in facilitating enlistments but 10 OBJ
ous improvement in the class of men Who enter the
vice regret that corresponding consideration not
bestowed the officers who in view of their character
and services and the expenses which they
ry subject receive at present what is in my Judgment in
adequate compensation
The valuable services constantly rendered by the army
and its nestmabe Importance asthe neucus around which
the volunteer forces of the nation promptly gather in
the hour of danger sufficiently attest the wisdom of main
tanning military peace establishment but the theory of
system and wise practice under it, require that
proposed augmentation in time OF peace be only common
surate with our extended limits and frontier relations
While scrupuousy adhering to this principle, find, in
existing circumstances necessity for increase of mil
ary force and is believed that four regiments two
of infantry and two of mounted men, will be sufficient to
meet the present exgency were necessary carefully
to weigh the cost 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
it's organic arrangement and administration The present
organization 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 British cOde not always applicable to our
vice. 1t s surprising, therefore, that the system
should be deficient in the symmetry and simplicity essential
to the working of its several parts and require
careful revision
or departments separates many officers from that close
cOexiOn with troops and those active duties in the held
which are deemed requisite to 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 to the nice of honor
which should be cultivated among Them would
compliance with the established rule of promotion in Ord
nary still hardly be doubted that the of
promotion by selection which il practically confined
to the grade of general officers might be somewhat
tended with benefit the public service Observance of
the rule of seniority sometimes leads especially in time of
peace to promotion of officers who, after meroous and
distinguished service may have been rendered age
or nrmy incapable of performing active duty, and whose
advancement therefore, would tend to 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 who by past
vices, have established claim to high consideration In
again commenting this the favorable consder
ton of Congress- would suggest that the power of placing
officers the retired list be limited to one year. The
practical operation of the would thus be tested
and it, after the lapse of years. there should be occasion to
renew the provision, it be reproduced with any inn
prOveents which experience Indicate The present
organization of the artillery into regiments liable to OBJ
viOns objections The service of artillery is that of bate
ries and organization of batteries into corps of art
ery would be more consistent with the of their du
ties large part of the troops called artillery are
and have BEEN duty infantry; the distinction between
the two arms being merely nominal This nominal artil
ery in service entirely dsprOporonate to the whole
force and greater than the of the country demand
therefore commend the discontnuance of distinction
which has no foundation u either the used the
character of the service expected to be performed.
In c0nne1on with the proposition for the increase of the
army have presented these suggestions with regard
certain measures of REFORM the complement of system
which would produce the happiest results from given
penditure and which hope may the early attention.
and be deemed worthy of the approval of Congress.
M the SQcra of Tho Napv
having reference to ample provisions for the discipline
and general mprovent in character and the
organization and gradual increase of the navy deem emf
nenty worthy of your favorable consideration. The prn
cpes which have controlled our policy in relation to the
permanent military force by and land sound con-
sstent with the theory of our system and should by
means be dsregarded But limiting the force the objects
particularly set forth In the preceding part of this
should not overlook the magnitude and pros
pectve extension OF commercial marine, fail
give due weight to the fact that besides the thousand
miles OF Atlantic seaboard, have Pacific coast
stretching from Mexico to the British possessions in the
NORTH teeming with wealth and enterprise and demanding
the constant presence of shps-owar The augmentation
of the navy has not kept pace with the duties properly and
prOtably assigned to it in time of peace and it made
quate for the large field of its operations not merely in the
present but still more in the progressively increasing ext
gences of the wealth and commerce of the United States
cordially approve of the proposed apprentice system for
our national vessels recommended by the Secretary of
Navy.
The occurrence during the last few months of marine
disasters OF the most tragic nature involving great loss
human life has produced intense emotions of sympathy and
sorrow throughout the country 1t may well be doubted
whether all these calamtous wholly attributable
the necessary and inevitable dangers of the sea- The
merchants Mariners and of the United States
s true unsurpassed in farreachng enterprise skill
and courage by any others in the world But
with the increasing amount of commercial tonnage in
the aggregate and the larger size and improved equipment
of the ships now constructed deficiency in the supply
reliable seamen begins to be very seriously felt The in
convenience may perhaps be met in part by due reguI
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 as class And
it deserving of serious reflection whether it may not
desirable to revise the existing laws for the maintenance of
discipline at sea, upon which the security of life and prop
ery on the ocean must to great depend AL
though much attention has already bren given BY Congress
to the proper construction and arrangement of
sells and all passenger ships, still it is believed that the
achievements of science and mechanical skill n this drec
ton have not been exhausted No good exists
the marked distinction which appears upon statutes
between the laws for protecting life and property sea-
and those for protecting them land In most of the
States penalties provided to punish conductors
of trains engineers and others employed in the ranspora
ton of persons by railway by steamboats, rivers
Why should not the principle be applied to acts of
cOwardce other misconduct on the part
of masters and Mariners producing injury death to
sengers the high seas beyond the Jurisdiction of any
ILL.,