The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-22
Our Washington Correspondence.

WASHINGTON, Sept 20 1855.
The Retired Nardl List--S,rcoyy Doin Propoled--Wh
Let THE Ca, out Of Tie Bdg?-Why Dissatisfaction and
Surprise al The Action Of The g Boord"- Governor Of
Minnesota on hand-General Shietds in Tie Grass''--
Organization Of Tie Merit Congress-etrn Of Otcials-
Scene in the United States Pension Office DO de-, dc.
The efforts made by Secretary Dobbn to keep the
retired list of naval officers really amusing
ridiculous Not only were njunctons laid upon the EN-.
poy6s of the Navy Department but orders were even
sent to the Fourth Auditors branch Of the reasur--
that mum was the word y and that not syllable or A
letter to be seen by mortal man. except by those iii
rectly interested. Thus matters stood Monday when
applications being made at the depart
ment for Information. The clerks had suddenly become
''Know Nothings and friend Welsh was like hen upon
hot griddle lest by look wink something might
leak out The extra copies Of the Navy Register all sud
denly disappeared, having been carefully locked up lest
indeed they might betray the profound mystery TO which
the department seemed to cling fondy. But IL ali
would not do You may manufacture bars and bolts
and locks, but so long human hands must turn the
keys just long win the greatest secrets be unsafe
Just so with the secret list Of retired ocers for when
the Secretary congratulatng himself last evening
.pon thc complete success Of his precautions, copy OF
the NEW YORK HERALD placed in his hands with the
garng capitals staring him in the face .sOfcia List OF
Retired Officers Of the Navy Here was the ID TO nav
Who had LEI the cat out Of the bag2 Echo answered
Who, and Mr.. who was Immediately dismissed from
service as unworthy public confidence
But seriously speaking, find that the surprise and
dissatisfaction which exist among the officers rcsut
more from The classification adopted by the Board than
from their having been retired from active service Manv
fthose who have been placed sleave paw, should
have been fnroughed ana vice while many Of tho
ufloughed should have been dropped This Is the talk
among The officers themselves The greatest astonish
nen seems to be In relation 10 the case of Lieut. NJ r.
Manty OF the National Observatory Lieut. NJ Ia lame
and therefore, under the wording the law hound
10 be retired not being competent to discharge all hi-
duties both ashore and aoat but that he should
been reduced 70 urough pay 5000 per annum) Is
countable IL Is supposed he will Immediately decline
the stn'ed bounty and leave the navy which he has
highly adorned by his scientific discoveries.
Governor German OF Minnesota has been spending
some days in Washington and is looking remarkably
we'll He reports General James Shields having re-
portion Of Minnesota where foot the rcd mans
evor pressed the grass.
Tie organization OF tho next Congress Is becoming one
Of the exciting topics among politicians here Hon j. 4
Orr of South taroiina seems to he general avorite H.
pccvc Of party; while John Wilson Fso late al the
era Land Office is leading the 6ed Tor The Csrk hin
eif,fs pouring IN upon him from the mehors ear
" all parties, wishing him success and tcnderinr ali
end comfort
soteral OF The public officers who have boep a, The
wing for stc weeks have returned in fine health AMI
tifs Horaiio Ming, Esq the very efficient First A..
siaf Postmaster General j. again at his cogk an 4.
lisrt as Nay mctrirr. Col Nanyrcnnys sur 6frut
nftxicn asimliatss him 10 color 10 the dars triss
uh hem lie has tetn negotiating treaties for feves
n,nihs Iast, The shores o. Lake superior The ss