Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-10-05
secretary Dobbln and the Navy.

secretary OODUAH "s'~ 49,
The man who would NEEDLE with ancient abuses
who would reform evils which have crept IN so graz
ally as to acquire the show OF legality and prescrpuVe
right must do with the full certainty OF encoun.
tering abuse and Misrepresentation from the inter
ested, and misconcepon from the comparatively IN
different He must also be aware that no thorough
reform can possibly be effected without working
some private Inconvenience or giving rise to much
personal vindicveness and heart-burnings. Nay,
from the imperfections of human reason, and the
ccplexty of human interests and feelings it is next
to impossible that injustice to individuals can in all
cases be avoided.
At the sacrifice of his own health, and with the
full knowledge of the herculean and ungratefnl Ia
Dor before him, Secretary Dobbn set himself to the
task of endeayoring 10 reform and increase the eth
cheney of the Navy That our Navy is too small to
keep pace with the expanding commerce OF the coun
try while at the same time, il is unduly expensive
somewhat old-Fogeysh, dreadfully arlstocFatlc and
encountered with inefecves, has been generally ad'
mitted-nay, complained of. The difficulty OF the
work of reform has deferred former secretaries, and
the thing has gone on. The most mertorlous othcers
outranked by those VIGOROUSLY most inefficient or In
subordinate, have fingered in the lowest positions OF
.
names of officers never at sea, and seldom on any duty
It is but by the operation of the late law, dropping
some and retiring others. full or on haf'pay, that
t Mr. Wilkes, the able commander OF the great u .
Exploring Expedition whose labors reflected so much
honor on the country has obtained his grade as Com
o mander. He had fingered until beyond middle life
in the subordinate position of Lieutenant This is
but one instance of several reform and re organ
deoooDded Those old
worthy officers whose deeds have thrown halo o
glory around the Naval service of the country-th'
heroes of the war of 1912, have nearly all arrived
at that period of life when the shades of honorable
retirement will be most suited TO their physica
strength and IN accordance with the feelings of age
e For these retired list upon full pay is proper an
e right, and gratitude and justice alike demand tina
s. thus Il life of labor should be crowned with an ag
10 of ease But the inefectives-the lazies can haV
If no such claims. The scale is graduated.
r, That some mistakes may have been made is prob
able That all could have been avoided, would hav
4, been clearly impossible. But that the complaints
in the disappointed or the dropped should be We've
as with great suspicion, is what all must admit Thos
~ lacking in deeds will always be found most protus
in complaints and protestations, and the aid of pc
~ tca rancor will be invoked to bolster up persona
u mbecility or mpugn the motives of the most consc
entious tribunal Time must elapse before JUS
OF Judgment can be formed by the public, and result
OF must vindcate the prudence of the measures no.
re upon trial Certain it is that of all the public me
e. in the country James C. Dobbn is about the last
ST sacrifice tangible practical good to visionary scheme
III or doubtful experiments. The prevailing character
OF stc of his mind is prudence, accompanied by sens
p of duty We feel assured that in taking the respor
S. sbility which he has, in entering upon the work
as reforming and rendering efficient the naval SCI
j" vice of the country, he took no step without coun
We ing the cost and calculating the result. To les
IN resoute and determined officer feeble health woul
~ have afforded convenient excuse for pursuing tn
10 beaten track of routine, and avoiding tho arduous
bors of the reformer with the obloquy and detra
ton inseparabe from the position. We can on
ol trust that the close attention to business which hi
-" already brought on illness, may not work rr
Ic parable injury to physical system too feeble #
ed the active mind of which it is the instrument.
full and fair trial rather than hasty censure or ca
ort tous ault-inding is due TO Mr. Dobbins sefsacri
ion cling discharge of onerous and unpleasant duties.