Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-09-22
From the Union ofyesierday.
The Retired Naval List.

From the Union ofyesierday.
The Retired Naval List.
We have been permitted, upon application at
the Navy Department, To make public the follow
ing papers, which constitute 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 ''hnding"
OF the board as set forth in th9r report approx
ed by the President of the United States will
soon be issued
NAVY DEPARTMENT, September 5, 1855.
SIR: by the provisions of the ''act to promote
the efficiency OF the navy" approved February
rs 1855, it became the duty of the board of naval
ofhcers assembled in pursuance thereof TO report
to the Secretary of the Navy the result of their
proceedings.
The order notifying them of their appointment
was issued June 5, 1855 They assembled on the
goth OF June, and concluded their abors the
goth July last. Their report to the Secretary,
IN accordance with the requirements of the law
and the regulations prescribed, having been
made, is herewith submitted to you for your APP
proval or disapproval.
You have, however, informed me that you
desire my views on this important and delicate
subject, and | shall, therefore, present them
briefly as possible, with much Difference, yet with
trankness.
You will, no doubt, recolect that in my two
annual reports | urged the Importance of some
measure of reform by which inefficient officers
could be relieved and the efficient be promoted;
and suggested the interposition of board Of
naval officers, with view to ching more surely
a correct and just result
The great end sought to be attained by Con-
gress was, 'to promote the efficiency of the
navy by removing from s'the active-servce list''
all officers found incompetent to do their whole
duty efficiently and promptly, both ashore and
atoat, and by dropping entirely from the rolls
| such as are to blame themselves for their incom-
potency. Some mode, then, was to be adopted,
and some persons selected to Examine" and
| make finding" of not only the incompetent,
| but also of those who had become so from causes
| for which they We're to 'sblame" The law on
this point speaks plainly and distinctly. 1t does
not impose this task upon, or intrust this delicate
| duty to, the Secretary of the Navy, or even the
| President. 1t does, however, provide that the
persons who are to perform this work shall be ff-
teen naval officers, to consist of five captains,
| five commanders, and five lieutenants, ordered by
the President. After thus selecting the persons
| who are to execute this work, it then provides
ho,r it is to be done. This board of fifteen naval
officers shaH make careful examinations into the
| efficiency Of The officers Of the grades" specified.
! After this .caretul examination - what does the
law next requre' Its terms are again plain
They ''shall report to the Secretary of the Navy"
hot an argument to sustain their conclusions
not the facts, the evidence, the copies of re-
cords by which they formed their Judgment, but
slfhpiy names ana RANK OF all officers OF the
SAID grades who in the Judgment of said board
| shall be incapable, !" &C., &c., and recommend
those 'to be stricken altogether from the rolls
whenever said board shall believe their incom-
potency has arisen from causes implying sufficient
| blame.
! 1t may not be uninteresting to call your atten-
ton TO the fact that this mode of proceeding is by
| no means novel, and on occasions when Congress
| directed the reduction of the army, by which
many officers were necessarily dropped from the
| service, the delicate task was performed in
somewhat similar manner by the Presidents APP
pointing board, who, after examination, report
ed the names OF such as in their opinion should be
retained, without assigning any reasons or facts
which caused them to prefer some and exclude
others. ] have before me the report of the board
on the reduction of the army under the act of
1873 They report names, and give merely the
result OF their examination, without facts or rea
sons, and their report was adopted by the Presi-
dent.
The fnding-"this Judgment of the board
| IS not, however, permitted TO 90 into execution
without the sanction Of the President, who is
very wisely authorized to disapprove of their ac-
ton; by which means safeguard is provided to
/ protect the public service from any fragrant abuse
of power.
At your suggestions have examined carefully
their report.
The peculiar fitness of the officers selected for
this delicate and arduous duty has been conceded
4 "'Nii uidAiiiuilJ Wy Doli OHlCtIs
citizens. They were in session many weeks;
they applied for, and had possession of, the re-
l cords of the department.; there were among
them men Of age and experience whose achieve
ments form part of the history of the country,
and young men of pride, intelligence, observa-
ton, and exalted character.
And while should be uncandid were 10 saw
| that | should have formed the same Judgment
and the same classification in regard TO each in
dividual precisely they have done, without
| single variation; yet, clear is my conviction,
from my own official knowledge Of the correct
ness OF their opinion in a large number Of the
cases, and such is my Difference to the Judgment
of the board, and their superior knowledge of
what renders an officer inefficient, and what con-
sttntes real efficiency, that | cannot withhold
| from their report my approval, nor advise you TO
do so, unless your better judgment shall make
suggestions which may have escaped me. |
have reflected much, sir, on this important pro-
ceedng, under proper appreciation Of the trying
task devoved on the board, and with feelings far
from indifference or insensibility TO the nconve-
nience and pain TO which many may be sub
| jected.
| transmit herewith copy Of the regulations
prescribed by the department for the board under
| the law.
| have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedent servant, j. G. DOBBIN.
To the PRESIDENT.