The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1855-09-17
The Retired Naval List.
from the WASHINGTON Intelli0encer Sept Ia

connected government
conversan with the subject and well qualified to present
correct views respecting it, has favored us with the sub
convened under the provisions of the late law of Con-
gress, and whose report, stated in paper Of
yesterday, has been approved by the President. We
cheerfuly place his remarks before readers:-
Messrs EDroRs-ln your issue Of yesterday you pub
ished the summary Of the action Of the Naval Board
which had been convened in pursuance Of the late law of
Congress to form retired list for the navy which report
has been approved by the President after very full and
careful investigation on his part, without making any
change whatever.
The following condensed statement of the action of
the Board
Three capt aims,
Six commanders,
Nineteen ieutenans,
Twelve passed midshpmen, and
Nine masters
There have been placed the retired list, on fur
Tough pay"-
Fifteen captains, at 81, $50 per annum.
Twelve commanders ut 5000 do.
Forty -nine lieutenants, at $500 do.
Two passed midshipmen, at $500 do.
Three masters, at $500 do.
There have been placed the retired list leave OF
Seventeen captains, at g, 500 per "a, snnum'
Twentyone commanders, at 81, 800 do.
Eighteen lieutenants, at 81, zoo do.
Fifteen masters, at 5000 de.
The Board of Ohcers who selected by the Pres
Of each Of the highest grades and who gentlemen
of the highest standing and character in their respective
both in and out of the navythat competent and
udicous selection could not have been made all being
high minded, honorable intelgent Ohlcers
justly create the conviction that they have discharged
the duty assigned to them to the very best Of their
BIASED Judgment, without fear, favor, or affection.
From the personal knowledge which all of them
must have possessed Of every officer in the navy, aud
from full and free which afforded them to all
the files and archives Of the Navy Department they had
the very best opportunity and ability to form sound
and correct judgment upon which to base their action
these remarks are made without particle Of personal
perfect ignorance, and without suspicion to
single name that may be found upon either OF the above
Under the above circumstances the President, after
having himself fully examined and studied the report
and obtained all possible information, and being
WINGED, he doubt was that there nothing obv
ouy wrong in its conclusions has pursued the proper
and indeed It, the only 5 BY the
II Is very possible he might in instances have
thought differently from the Board either to extending
curaiing or changing the respective lists but II such
the fact he has surrendered his views in such
cases probably very few in number to the better oppor
tunes which the Board possessed of forming correct
judgment and to their extended knowledge OF the
That there may be complaints by some Of the parties
their friends who have been affected by the action OF
the Board is to be expected In such extended ope
ration of the kind it would be strange if it other
wise; but the measure OF retired list which has al
ways existed in every otherservice had become of
cessity for the future well being of the navy.
Congress had rigdiy limited the number Of officers OF
each grade and promotion had therefore ceased except
to fill death vacancies and occasional but vary
movas. This slow and disheartenng process TO
the younger active and enterprising officers The mid
shIman had many tedious years in the seerage
than necessary TO qualify him lieutenant; the
latter had sti longer term, and large portion Of
in ideness and inactivity before he could hope for the
separate command OF ship; and captains commission
was only attanabe by commander when the head wa
whened and the glow and energy Of manhood was
pidy on the decline or had already departed Ambition
enterpre love Of the service and esprit du corps
all checked destroyed and many Of the most active
able, and enterprsng junior officers driven to
sign their commissions in the hopeessnes Of future dis
ncton OF rank by continuing in the service except after
period of time that would destroy the rest Of the aclui
siton and leave them but few years for the enjoyment
it.
On the list numerous gallant and veteran officers
who had faithfully and honorably served their country
but whom declining years and inability rendered
unable any Ion ger to perform active duty and who BY
being retained on the active list prevented the advance
ment Of those In the Junior ranks who were fully qualified
to take the place and TO render the same gallant and
ceptabe service which their seniors had ably performed
For officers ihtM situated all will agree with the sen
meot expressed in the excellent letter OF the Secretary to
the Naval Board that be placed the retired list and
to be thus honorably relieved from duties which increas
ing and n0rmes rendered them unable any longer
TO discharge with satisfaction TO themselves so for
from being considered slight or reproach, would
be Justly viewed a. an honorable marx Of the regard
generous provision fsr more than the retired list Of
any other country not even excepting Great Britain, 20
celebrated for her hberalty in such msters on which
they pass the mander of their ive in comfort and
am pleased % learn that such the view taken OF
by Of the most distinguished senior officers in the
fervce and hope generally by all Of them and that In
yaIou. cases they have themselves intmated their wish
All honor and respect 70 this corps OF gallant and hon
orable men and the memory Of their former services
always serve stimulate n like honorable actions those
who now step forward TO supply their places 1t 1.
be observed that those Of them who are the third
named above list will still receive the same pay that the
have done except when they were in active service
end by the Of the law tn ey still be retained
bureau duty and commanders Of naval stations on the
l full pay of active duty.
viii be by the preceding lists that in order TO
f up the vacancies in the active lists the number
authorized by law, thirtyfv commanders will be pro-
NOTED to be captains, seventy four euenants will be
promoted to be commanders, and hundred and sixty
masters in the line Of promotion and passed midshp-
/ men will be made ieutenants.
This IL the first time Of the kind has been
applied to tie navy but the army has been twice sub
jected to test under the plea Of reduction
The first time after the peace Of 1915 and again after the
Mexican war, when, on the judgment Of the President
alone hundreds dropped from the rolls without the
bench, to any OF them Of liberal retired list in the
present case with the navy
The beraty Of the provision made BY Congress for the
officers the retired list, when pared with that
other nations, Is shown by the fact that captain
service by this Law on furough pay receives nearly
| much ~, 25o) and on leave pay" greatly more
(s2 50o) than retired Nag officer Of the British navy
where the retired pay Of rear admiral Is erly $500