New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-12-11

We have on seyeTal occasions opened our cUlum
to arguments or appeals in behalf Of the gentle-
men withdrawn from the Naval service by the late
Retiring Board, not because we agreed with taeir
condemnation Of the Board, but because some of
the sufferers seemed to have right to discuss their
cases st the bar Of the public, aud We were willing
to afford them the opportunity of being heard. In
that discussion We have not hitherto felt ourselves
called to take any part but as We learn that
sire nuous effort is TO made in Congress to set aside
the action of the Board, it becomes duty to ex.
press our judgment in the matter.
No reasonable man can call in question the pro
priety of stringent oyerhauling of the Naval List
When the measure was first adopted by Congress,
scarcely voice but was raised in its approval
Everybody felt that the public service of the Uni
ted States should not be made the refuge of idle,
incompetent or superannuated officers. A sound
public opinion decided that the Navy was no place
for men of whose uniform the buttons had not
been tarnished BY sslt water for long series of
years. Their epaulettes it was thought would
make drawer show on the quarter deck than in
corn fields or pota.oe patches, though their wear
ers, turned into gentlemen farmers, aud living at
hone at ease" preferred the smell Of the barn
yard to that Of the ocean.
The Board was established for the specific pur.
pose of meeting this difficulty. Its mem
bers were instructed to report the caps.
bility of each officer On the list to dis
charge all the duties OF his commission, whether
ahoat or ashore Their function was limited to
this service Hard names have been freely applied
TO them since the announcement OF their report,
but universal satisfaction was expressed with their
original appointment. 1t is said that they CON-
posed a secret tribunal with the grim, irresponsi.
sible authority of Star Chamber or the Icqusi-
tien. Bot whatever they were, they were the
creation of Congress. They assumed no power
which was not conferred by the act which con.
stituttd them. As to the evidence on which their
decisions were grounded, it was no part of their
instructions to give it publicity. No doubt it will
be forthcoming, whenever the time shall arrive for
it's production. We would not advise all the victims
of their proceedings, as they are affection tely
called, to be too urgent in demanding the publica
tion of this evidence.
We believe that the action Of the Board ha.
been in perfect accordance with both the spirit
and the letter of their commission, and the inter
ests Of the naval service. 1t has opened the
way for the promotion of faithful and exc client
officers, who in the ordinary course of things
might have waited till doomsday for advancement.
No one certainly can maintain that those gallant,
high spirited and efficient men should be lett hang
irg on the lower rounds Of the ladder in order to
accommodate set Of disabled, imbecile, or worth.
less occupants of office, whose connection with the
NAVY was in some instances sham, in others a
disgrace. and in all q bar to the Advancement Of
meritorious aspirsnts.
The complaints in regard to the incompetency o