Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-10-17
A. B. LONGSTREET.

! NAVAL REFoRM.-Perhaps executive documents
| ever generally met public appreciation than
the able and thorough annual reports of the pre-
interchangeable secretary of the navy. Important
| action has followed His recommendation for the
building of six fiigates has been nearly carried into
effect by the construction of ships perfect as any
in the world. He also recommended retired list
on reduced pay, for the faithful officers who have
become inrm, and the discharge of the inefficient
who have no claim on the bounty OF the govern
ment.
In his last annual report, the secretary in repeat
ing his stated that, while the corps
full of chivail and gallant officers ready and
capable, yet, there many officers now in tue
navy who's, names 10 not adorn the register while
from time TO valuable officers resigned because
the path OF promotion was blocked up by the IN
competent The latter it Is we'll known have been
increasing for years. Much of this be traced
to a want OF early opportunity desideratum sup
piled for the future by the naval academy at An
napos, which, it is confidently believed, will be of
great service to the navy West Point Academy
has been the army. DisS patton has made others
nelhcent and others again have fairly -Werh out
in the service. Few officers dc and none resign
Thus the evil continued to grow 1t has long been
scotland depored, and at length congress devised
remedy.
At its last session, the recommendation of the
secretary substantially adopted. Our readers
need no further detail Of the act that passed
"to promote efficiency in the navy, than that a
board oil five captains, five commanders and live
lieutenants authorized to be created by the sec
rotary, TO report to the government list of such
officers not competent to perform their du-
ties aj0at and ashore, designating such as were
blameworthy: member of the board to be al
lowed to Sit i'll Judgment on officers above him in
rank. Such law may be said to have been de-
mandcd by the country. The secretary, in accor-
dance with this law, called together such board.
1t composed of gentlemen of great intelligence,
of high personal character and every way worthy
of public confidence. The selection regarded
as eminently iudicious and great confidence
avOr, :ptli he, inf ~ Of < decisions
The duties Of this board were peculiar, trying,
and were OF great delicacy They were equivalent
to the work required in most executive civil capa-
cities where the public service imperousy demands
change not so much from any special act of an in
cumbcnt, as from the general character capacity
of an incumbent, which prove that another with
greater ability conduct would better promote the
common good 1t is Just with the naval service.
Inefficicncy, from various causes, had impaired it's
usefulness. That which establishes reputation is
not done in corner, but before the world and
while the greater part of naval officers won the
reputation of being good officers, prompt, energetic,
intelligent and efficient number have the general
reputation of being passed., and some of being a dis
honor to the navy. AL this for years has been
talked of, and the good and the worn out officers
known to those in the service.
The members of the board became personally
conversaut of all this in the of their servce
and in addition, every means OF knowledge was laid
open to them, to be found in the archives of the
navy. With these advantages the board proceeded
to it's abors The investigation has been rigid and the
result is startling, it reveals the aooe of the evil
so strongly depicted in the secretary's reports. 1t
has resulted in list consisting of nearly third of
the whole number of officers in service This
ton was then revised by the President and secre-
tary of the navy, and then approved by the Presi-
dent.
1t is natural that change so great should awaken
sympathy and elicit comment The officers placed
the retired list-by no manner of means to be
regarded stigma-and the officers dropped
have their circles of friends and it is nothing
strange that from this source and from other sources
there should issue reflection in the press upon the
action of the board There indications that
congress will be petitioned to restore the dismissed
officers the plea of injustice and the low Cir
cumstances of gallant men, who have done good
SERVICE will be pathetically presented. There may
be some of unntentioned injustice in so large
list; but this is to be expected. The case, how
ever, is not one where sympathy should be allowed
The honor of the navy and the protection of our
national rights, is the great end and all admit
secretary after secretary of the navy has admit
ted-that the hand of reform necessary, it
hardly admits of doubt, but that the board have
discharged the difficult duty with boldness, fidelity
and patriotism.
We hope the action of the government will be
sustained and that by such a reform life and
spirit will be given to this favorte Of the nation
No other motive than the good Of the country has
operated sure, in making this change; and
every good citizen should give such firm perform
ance of duty his cordial support.