The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-20

PURGING THE NAvY--THE REPORT OF THE
EXAMINING BoARD.-The report of the Naval
Examining Board which lately convened at
Washington, is before the public. 1t has been
approved by the Executive, and is, therefore,
like the laws Of the Modes and Persians which
cannot be altered.
There can be no doubt that the action of the
Board was one much needed in the navy.
During sixty years Jack has had everything
his own way, without any overhauling, except
an occasional court martial, where he gene
rally managed to get off with a reprimand.
Jack has been o bad fellow, at times Jack
has shirked from his duty Jack has got
drunk Jack has injured the service by get
ting in debt and never paying and Jack has
steadily opposed all reforms, swearing very
stoutly that the service would so to the dogs"
if q patent capstan, a new rig, or q better
model was introduced. Jack has drawn
large salary all this time for doing nothing
except talking about our gallant navy, and
What be did long time ago, when he wac q
midshpman on board the Roarer. 1t is fine
thing for the service that j ack has been retired
on good pay--better than that given in any
other seryice--and that his Juniors, superior 10
him in every respect, will be allowed to fl
the position which he only occupied.
But, Notwithstanding all this, we think that
there is good ground for some of the com
plants made against the Board. They are
charged with some reason, with being
prcjudiced in their decisions in some cases,
and with having taken an opportunity to pay
off some scores which had been standing for
long time. This is the only reason that can be
discovered by those familiar with the service
for the action OF the Board in some cases; and
we regret that il proved to be the case,
It may be asked, why are the officers dissatis-
fed at being pensioned off for life? Any one
would think il very fine to have good salary
for doing nothing. We answer that the COM
plants generally come from lieutenants who
have served from twelve to fifteen years at
sea- only for the final reward of captains
commission. If they arc placed on the rctircd
list they arc cut off from future promotion and
consigned TO everlasting obscurity.
The examiners are not altogether to blame
III tDfS. nc law FORCES Inem TO retire" all
officers who are incompetent to discharge all
their duties, ashore and ailoat, and many yalu.
able officers have met with accidents which
have untitled them for ssea service. \ great
deal of surprise has been manifested at the de-
cision in the case of Lieut. NJ. +. Maury who
has been placed on the retired list on "leaye
of absence" pay. Lieut.. Maury has rendered
more real service TO science and navigation
than any other man living, and he has been
rewarded by being placed at the head of the
National Observatory at Washington on sa-
larry of three THOUSAND dollars per annum He
was retired because he was incompetent to
perform bis duties afloat. Several years since,
while travelling across the Allegheny noun
tans to report himself for duty at Washintou,
the stage coach was upset, the lieutenant's
thigh was fractured, and he was made life
long cripple.
The decisions of the Board have created no
little excitement and acrmony all over the
country, and we have been run down with
communications on the subject. We have Sc
veral letters evidently from officers but which
are anonymous. These we cannot publish. but
all those who send their real names shall have
4 hcer'up 'lh0uvh wc believe that Tho i