Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1855-09-26
From the Washington Union. 2lst. ]
The Retired Naval I,ist.

From Tie Washington Union, 2lSt.
The Retired Naval List.
We have been permitted, upon application at
the Navy Department, TO make public The follow
ing papers, which constitute u part Of the record,
not yet published, upon the interesting subject Of
the action Of the naval board recently convened
under the provisions Of the late law of Congress.
The general orders IN execution OF the "fndIng"
Uf the board set firth in their report, as approx
ell by the President of The United states, will SION
be issued:
Navy DEPARrMENr, Sept. 5, 1856
Sir: BY the PROVISIONS OF the "sct 10 promote
the efficiency uf the navy" approved February
2S. 1854. it became the duty Of the board OF naval
officers assembled in pursuance thereof 10 re,urL
to The Secretary of the Navy the result of thelr
proceedings.
The order notifying them of their appointment
was issued June s. 1855. They assembled on The
10th June, and concluded their lab0rs on the 18th
July last. Their report 10 the Secretary, in accur-
dance with The requirements OF the law and the
regulations prescribed having been made, is here
with submitted To you for your approval or disup-
pIova.
You have, however, informed me that you de
sire my views cn this important and delicate sub
iecl and shall therefore, present them as briefly
possible. with much Difference yet with fran kness
You will. no doubt, TecGllect that III my two
annual reports urged the Importance of some
measure of reform, by which inefficient officers
could he relieved and the efficient be promoted;
aud suggested the lnteIp 'Slom OF board Of naval
officers, with a view 10 reaching more Suiely n
correct and Just result.
The great end Sough: to be attained by Con-
gress was 'to promote the efficiency of the navy
by removing IRON 'the active service list all oll-
Gers found incompetent to do their whole duty
efficiently and promptly, both ashore and ailou;
aud by dropping entirely from the rolls such as nre
10 blame themselves for their incOmpetrncy-
SOME mode, then, was 10 be adupled, and some
persons selected 10 EXAMINE and make finding
OF not only the incompetent, but also of those
who had become so from causes for which they are
to blame The law on this point speaks dis
tlnCtly. 1t does not impose this task upon oil en-
trust this delicate duty 10, the Secretary OF the
Navy, or even the President. Ii does, however,
provide that the perS0'i$ who are to perform this
work shall be fifteen naval Officers 10 consist Of
five captains, i've commanders, aud FIVE lieuten-
ants, ordered by the President. Alter thus select
ing tue persons who are TO execute this work, 1t
then provides hOso II is 20 be done. This board of
fifteen naval officers 'Sh1H make a careful cram
InGtiOn into the efficiency Of the o6icerS of the
grades specified. After this careful exaunna
uOn,' what does the law Eext require? Its terms
are again paIII. They shall report 10 the Secre-
tary of the NavV-Rot argument 10 sustain their
ConclusionS--nOt the facts, the evidence, nor The
copies OF records by which they formed the iuCg
menl, but simply the names and rank of all officers
OF the said grades who, III the Indignant of said
board, shall be incapable, &C., &C., and recon-
mend those 'tU be stricken altogether from the
rolls whenever sqid bOard shall beLere their in
competency has arisen from causes Implying suC-
fiCient blame.
ltmay not be undressing to call your attention
10 the TACT that this mode of proceeding is by no
means novel, and OF occasions when Congress d.
rrced the reduction of the army, by which mauy
officers were necessarily drope.l IRON the service
the delicate task was performed in a somew 1t SIM
liar manner by the Presidents appointing a board
who, after examination reported the n0meS Of such
nS IN thelr opinion should be retained without
assigning M fact vh : LsT,
to prefer some and exclude others. have before
me the report OF the board on the reduction of the
army under the act Of 1915. They report names,
and give merely the result of their examination,
without facts or reasons, and their report was
adopted by the President.
This inding-''this Judgement Of the board
is not, however, permitted TO go into execution,
without the sanction of the President who IS very
wisely authorized 10 diSapprove Of their action. by
which means safeguard is provided to protect the
public service from any fragrant abuse of power.
AT your suggestion have examined carefully
their reports.
The peculiar fitness Of the officers selected lor
this delicate and ardmous dnty has been conceded
with remarkable unanImIly by both officers aud
CInzeHS. They were in session many weeks; they
applied for and had possession Of the records of
the department; there were among them men OF
age and experience whose achievements form n
part OF the history of their country, and Young men
oil pride, intelligence, observation, aud exalted
character.
And while should ne uncandil were to say
that should have formed the same judgement
aud the same classification in regard 10 each ia
dividual precisely as they have done, without a
single Variation; yet, so clear is my conviction,
from my cwn official knowledge, OF the correct
ness ftheir opinion in Large humber Of the
cases, aud such Is my Difference to the judgment
Of the board, and their superior know ledge OF what
renders an officer inefficient, and what constitutes
real efficiency, that cannot Withhold from their
report nay approval, advise you 10 do so, unless
your better judgment shall make suggestions which
shall have escaped me. l have reflected much,
SIR on this important proceeding, under proper
appreciation OF the trying task Levoved on the
board, and with feelings far from indifference OF
lnsensIbility to the inconvenience and pam to
which many may be subjected.
/ transmit herewith copy of the regulations
prescribed by the department for the board under
The law.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedieRt setvent, j. C. ponuIN.
TOthe PRESIDENT.
EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, Sept Is, 1855.
SlR.-Having carefully examined and deliberate
ly considered the report Of the board of officers
convened under the act TO promote the efficiency
ofthe navy approved February IS, 1855, and also
your communication ofIhe 5ih instant. l here by
express my approval Of the finding ofthe boarl
us set forth in their report Proper orders will ac-