The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1855-09-22

THE RETIEED NAVAL lsT.

Messrs Epiron In your iesue Of yesterday you pub
lshcd The summary OF the action Of the naval board which
had been convened in pursuance of the late law Of Congress
toform retired list for the navy which report has been APP
proved bJ the President after very full and careful in
sesngaon On his part without making any change hat
The following Is condensed statement Of The action Of
the board:
There have been dropped from the rolls Of the navy
Three captains
Six commanders,
Nineteen lieutenants,
Twelve passed nidshipinen and
Nine masters.
There have been placed the retired list furlough
Fifteen captains, at 81, $50 per annum.
Twelve commanders, $500 do
Forty lieutenants, AT $500 do
Two passed nidshpmen, at $500 do
Three masters al $500 do
There have been placed The retired list or eare-of
absence pay
Seventeen captains, at 81, 800 per annum.
Twenty-on commanders. at 81 800 do.
Eighteen lieutenanis, AT 81 zoe do.
ftieen masters, at $500 do.
The board Of officers who were selected y the President
to perform this duty composed Of five officers of each
OF The highest grades, and who gentlemen Of the
highest standing and character their respective grades
and there appears 10 have been but opinion both and
out OF the navythat competent and udcious
lection could not have been made all being hgh-mnded
honorable, and intelligent officers and who justly create
the conviction that they have discharged the duty assigned
to them TO the very best Of their unbiased dgment without
fear favor affection From the personal knowledge which
all OF them mus; have possessed OF every officer in
tie navy and from full ard free access which was az
forded them to all tho files and archives OF the Navy De-
parmen they had the very best opportunity and ability
TO form sound and correct judgment upon which base
their action.
These remarks made without particle Of personal
feeling in conneon with the subject as the writer is in
perfect ignorance and without IL suspicion
single that be found upon either OF the above
lists
Under the above circumstances the President after hav-
ing himself fully examined and studied Che report ana OBJ
tanned vi possible information and being convinced
doubt that there nothing obviously wrong
its conclusions has pursued the proper and indeed the
only udcous course by confirming the report Of the board
in fail, without making any change Ii is very possible
lie might in instances have thought differently from
the board either 10 extending, curtaling changing
the respective lists; but If such the fact he has
rendered his views in such casesprobably very few
IN numberto the better opportunities which the board
possessed Of forming cprrect Judgment and 10 their
extended knowledge of the personnel Of the navy.
That there may be complaints by Of the parties
their friends who have been affected BY the action the
board is TO be expected In ouch extended operation
Of the kind il would be strange if il otherwise but
the Of retired list which has always existed ia
every other service had become of necessity for the
future well-heiug Of the navy.
Congress had rgidy Limited the number Of officers Of
each grade, and promotion had Therefore $780, $50, !,
fill death-vacancies and n""~-i onol H., 80, 1 p , y
iuts nA Low and dshearenng process TO The Younger
aeuFe, ard enterprising officers The ,nidsh.pnan had
may more tedious years Il the eerage than was necessa-
~ ~ qualify ann as lieutenant tie latter had still
apaef term and aree portion q. ii in idleness and mac
viiy before he could hope for The eeparate co,nmand Of
shpi ana asiAs commission only attanable BY
commander when the head was Nhened and Tie glow
ana energy OF manhood rapidly on the decline or had
areaay departed Ambition, enterprise love Of The
VICE ana eff ~ corps were NIL checked destroyed and
macy OF the most ac'iye able, and en.erprsng junior Off
GERS were driven to resign their commissions In the hope
lessness OF future distinction of rank by continuing in The
service except after period OF time that would destroy
Tie zest OF tue acquisition and leave them but few years
for the enjoyment Of it, e~ tE
Ca the list numerous gallant and veteran officers
WHO had faithfully and honoatly served tfeir country
but whom declining Years AID physical inability rendered
nnaoe any longer 10 perform active duty and who be-
ing retained on the aore list prevented the advancement
OF those in the junior ranks who were fully qualified 10
take the place and render the same gallant and acccpa
bic service which their seniors had ably performed in
their younger years
For Officers thus situated all will agree with the senii-
men expressed in The excellent letter Of the secretary 10
the naval board, that be placed The retired list and
70 be thus honafaby relieved from duties which increas
ing years and infrms rendered ten unable longer
TO discharge with satisfaction to themselves so far
from being considered slight It reproach would be
justly viewed honorable ozark Of the regard OF their
conaT which tLaa makes for them liberal and gene
rols provision TAR more go than the retired list Of
any other country, not even excepting Great Britain so
celebrated for her lberulty in such inatters which
they can pass the remainder of their lives in comfort and
tranquility.
am pleased TO learn that snr IS the view taken Of
y come q ihe Nc. distinguished senior officers IN TIE
Service aud hope generally by all q tlip aad thai u
various they have themselves innaed their wish
to be PLACED upoa tbs retired list
All honor and respect this corps Of gallant and hon
orahio men, and may the memory Of their former servces
always serve stimulate like honorable actions those
who step forward 10 supply their places u s to be
observed that those of them who The third-named
above list win still receive the pay that they
have done except when they active service and by
the Of the law they still b. retained or bureau
duty and commanders OF naval stations on The full pay Of
active duty.
twill be by the preceding lists that in order TO
I'll up the vacancies in the active lists 10 the number
horized by law, ihrty6ye commanders will he promoted
10 be captains seventy-our lieutenants will lie promoted
TO be commanders, and hundred and sixty in
the line OF promotion and passed midshpmen will be made
lieutenants
This is The first fine Of The kind has been APP
piled 10 the navy but the army has been twice subjected
u more test under The plea Of redaconhe rs
time after the peace Of 1915 and again after ibe Mexican
dreds dropped from the rolls without The benefit TO
any Of them Of liberal retired list the present
with the navy.
The beralty Of the provision made by Congress for the
officers the retired list when compared with that Of
other nations is shown by the fact that captain in our
service by this law "tnrlough-pay" receives nearly
much o. 25o) and 4eaycpay' greatly S2,5ool
than retired fagofcer OF the British navy where The
retired pay Of admiral is only f3oo sterling Isl 5oo
per annum CiNiS-
PARTY AND sEcrarAN sTRIFE--Dr. Bryant Of Phadel-
pha one Of the noble volunteers Norfolk in letter
the Pennsylvania Inquirer after referring tbe
Of sorrow and distress caused by the epidemic, adds
Party strife is rampant through the land aud while
politicians Illuminating their anatlemas abroad here
In the city of pesence, Catholics and Proestsnts
Of the North and men OF the South peacefully and haro
all. 81.