Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-09-28
From the Washington Union, Sept. q

From the Washington Union Sent .,
The Retired Naval List.
We have been permitted, upon application at tho
Navy Department, to make public the following IA.
pers which constitutes part OF the record not VET
published upon the interesting subject of the action
of the Naval Board, recently convened under the
provisions of the late law of Congress- The pens
eral orders in execution of the finding" of the Board
as set forth in their report as approved by the Pres
dent of the United States, will soon be issued;
Navy DEPARTMENT, Sept. S, 1856
Sir: RY the provisions of the " act to promote the
efficiency of the navy" approved February %, 1855
it became the duty of the Board of Naval Officers
assembled in pursuance thereof to report to the Sec
rotary of the Navy the result of their proceedings,
The order notifying them of their appointment was
issued June S, 1855. They assembled on the Goth
of June. and concluded their labors on the 26h Of
July last Their report to the Secretary in accordance
with the requirements of the law and lie regulations
prescribed, having been made, is herewith submitted
to you Tor your approval or dsapproval
You have, however informed me that YOU desire
my views on this important and delicate subject, and
shall, therefore, present them briefly a, possible
with much Difference, yet with frankness
You will. no doubt, recollect that in my two Annu
al Reports urged the Importance of some measure
Of reform by which inefficient officers could be re.
leved and the efficient be promoted and suggested
the i'terpoStlon of board of naval officers with
view TO reaching more surely correct and just re.
suit
The great end sought to he attained by Congress
was, 10 promote the efficiency of the navy by re.
moving from " the active service list all officers
found incompetent to do their whole duty efficiently
and promptly, both ashore and ahoat, and by DROP.
ping entirely from the rolls such as are 10 blame
themselves for their incompetency. Some mode them
was to be adopted. and some persons selected TO eek
anime }" and make a FINDING" of not only the in.
competent, but also OF those who had become
from causes for which they were TO g. blame" The
law on this point speaks plainly and distinctly. II
does not impose this task upon, or intrust this deli
cate duty to- the Secretary of the Navy or even the
President. II Goes, however, provide that the per-
sons who are to perform this work shall be fifteen
" naval officers" to consist of FIVE captains five conf
manders, and five ieutenans, ordered by the Presi-
dent.
After thus selecting the persons who are to exc.
cute this work, ii then provides hoV it is to be done
This board of fifteen naval officers " shall make q
careful examination INTO the efficiency of the officers
of the grades specified" After this careful exsm
naton," what does the law next require Its terms
| are again plain. They shall report 10 the Secre-
tary of the Navy mot argument sustain
their conclusions-not the facts the evidence nor
the copies OF records by which they formed their
Judgment. but simply" the names and rank of all
officers of the said grades who in the judgment Of
SAID board shall be incapable" &C., Sc, and recon.
mend those " TO be stricken altogether from the
rolls" whenever said board shall believe their ncom
petercy has arisen from causes implying sufficient
blame.
1t may not be uninteresting to call your attention
to the fact that this mode of proceeding is by no
means novel, and occasions when Congress d.
rected the reduction of the army, by which many
officers were necessarily dropped from the service,
the delicate task performed in a somewhat sim
liar manner by the Presidents appointing board,
who, after examination reported the names of such
as in their opinion should be retained, without as.
signing any reasons or facts which caused them to
prefer some and exclude others. I have before me
! fho rfnFft al
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 finding" this judgment" of the boards
not however, permitted to 60 into execution without
the sanction of the President, who is very wisely
authorized to 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 report
The peculiar fitness of the officers selected for this
delicate and arduous duty has been conceded with
remarkable unanimity by both officers and citizens
lhey 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 a part of the history OF
| the country. and young men of pride intelligence
! observation, and exalted character
And while should be uncandid were to say that
! ehouiu nave iormed the same Judgment and the
same casslncatlon in regard to each individual pre-
clseiy as they have done, without single variation
yet' 80 clear is my conviction from nv own official
knowledge OF the correctness of their opinion 10
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 constitutes real efficiency, that cannot with
nod from their report my approval, nor advise you
TO 90 so, unless your better judgment shall make
suggestions which may have escaped me. have re-
hected much. sir, this mporlan, proceeding, under
proper appreciation of the trying task devolved on
The board and with feelings far from indifference OF
nsensibiliiy to the inconvenience and pain to which
many may be subjected.
transmit herewith a copy of the regulations pre-
scrbed by the department for the Board under the
law.
have the honor to be, very respectfully, your
obedieni servant ]. c. DoBBIN'
, the President
!, EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Washington, September II.
: SIR:-Having carefully examined and deliberately
considered the report of the Board of Officers CO..
vened under the 'act to promote the efficiency OF ".
Navy" approved February %, 1885, and also you.
communication of the Sch inst, hereby express M
approval of the '.fnding of the Board set toF
in their report Proper orders will accordingly W
issued in accordance with the provisions OF the iS"
i FRANKLIN PIERCE
Hon ]. G.. Dobbin, Secretary of the Navy