The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-08
SECRETARY OF THE NAvY's REPORT.

SECRETARY OF THE NAvY'S REPORT.
perusa of this long and abyprepared report has at
orded ordinary qualification; and a qualification
we feel assured which will be shared in with u,
by the whole country Like every other public document
which has emanated from the pen OF Secretary Dobbi
is clear in exposition, convincing in argument and Is
marked by of purpose which cannot fail
exercise a wholesome influence.
The report with detailed account of The
movements of the various squadrons Anxiety is felt
touching the fate of the missing sloop Albany but the de-
partent still entertains the opinion that she is safe The
steamer Princeton has been sent in search of her.
The practcability Of inter-oceanic communication BY
the construction of shpcanal across the ishmus of Da
ren has been fully tested by Lieutenant Strain and party
who are highly compimented for their arduous and dan
gerous services According Lieut. SIS report the wo
is totally mpfactcable and this the Secretary thinks SET
ties the question forever
The bombardment of Greytown is treated at cousid.
cradle length and the conduct of Commander Holns fully
justified. .H
Commodore Perry is spoken of in terms of warm
mendaton for his indomtable perseverance and remar
BILE management in the negotiations which resulted ina
commercial treaty with the Emperor of Japan
The Secretary again presses upon Congress the urgent
necessity of still further increase Of the navy Congress
should not stop with ordering the construction of six
steam-gates He asks, compare the size OF our navy
not merely with that of the mighty nations with whom we
claim equal rank but with that of other nations whom
esteem be far far behind in the race of national great
ness Even with the addition of the six steamgates
dered force will not exceed fifty vessels in
dtion for service detenceess position invites aggression
and the history of the late in Europe furnishes
pete demonstration that system of conduct however
rect in principle protect neutral powers from injury
The only way to avoid is by being always prepared
and willing to meet it for just Every planter in
every section of the country truly protected by
the enclosure around his farm than by wooden walls
which float around our coast
The Secretary does not propose to enlarge materially the
squadrons in active service to increase the number
of officers He simply desires to increase the material
our navy, SO to be prepared for any emergency.
He dwells with peculiar stress upon the necessity of
organization of the navy He again recommends retired
list reduced pay for the faithful who have become In
firm the discharge of the inefficient who have no just
claim the bounty of the government Promotion to be
regulated by capacity and merit and not by seniority
of commission. Pay, to extent to be controlled by
service He cannot he says appreciate the justice
policy of promoting to higher grade officer who can
not perform its duties unless in exceptional cases.
complimentary reward for services rendered It is neither
less than eevating the incompetent and then
derng the unpromoted competent to do their work.
The discipline of seamen is next discussed The Secre
ary does not desire the restoration of oggngfor the
perence of the navy ustes its abrogationbut be believes
that substitute is needed accompanied with plan Of
ward as well as punishment. He recommends that the
commander of any vessel be authorized to order
mary court martial for the trial of petty officers and those
below them and that they have power to punish by d
honorable discharge in any port by confinement
duced ratons and without pay with extra labor and ade
NAL of shore privileges
The Secretary deems it indispensable that some plan
be adopted by which our seamen shall become dis.
tincy and permanently part of the navy and attached
the service and which in part be accomplished by
granting conditional leave Of absence at the end of cruise
and increased pay recnlistment With the view Of
raising the standard of character among seamen it is The
design of the Secretary Immediately to adopt in mod
fed FORM the apprentice system and encourage the
stment of American boys from fourteen until they
twenty-one years of age
An increase of the marine is strongly recommended
The Secretary satisfied that the corps could be improved
and elevated in character by adopting system of a
pointing officers Of military education and training.
large space in the report is devoted to the naval yards
and docks The government possesses eight navy
yards including the in rapid progress of compile
ton Mt Mare island, California.
The Naval Academy during the past year continued TO
present to the country practical evidence of the wisdom
and foresight of its protector It proposed to substitute
steamer for the sloop Preble used the practice
ship for the instruction of the students
The Naval Observatory is spoken Of in of unqua
fed approval 1t is estimated that the saving to American
by the of Lieutenant Maurys charts would
amount to several millions annually.
The department is advised that Robert L. Sevenss iron
war steamer shot and heproof is rapidly progressing
in its construction. Five hundred now engaged
ON the work and the boilers will be ready to be put
board in about three weeks
During the year ending June &c. 1854 the total expend
lures for all objects under the control the Navy Depart
ment Sl0s0 si5 o. but of this amount there
expended for special objects the sum of $3910Ol2 29i
which would leave the legitimate expenditures for the
support of the navy and marine corps Ss,s9l 1928 90
THE PAST AND PRESENT.
In his first annual address to Congress- President ash
ngton congratulated the Senate and House of Representa-
lives upon "the blessings which they had right expect
rom Free Efficient and equal government The popula-