The daily union., 1856-04-03

iv was almost exclusively composed Of those who did not
think Il suficeny stringent Objected topensionng men
incapable of rendering efficient service or desired
The functions Of the board had nothing Of the judicial
character they were not to be controlled by the technical
rules Of courts civil martial they Here purely
through the Secretary Of the Navy 10 be approved o e
iected wholly or partially in the exercise OF sounu u
cretion They were experts not 70 pass ros n sh.ir
Judgment and belief II submitted ON the 26th OF
July the Secretary held il under unl the otn
Of September he then presented 70 .ne na
with report recommending It's adoption The President
aer having also carefully examined and deliberately con-
sdered IT IL bis final sanction on the ian sep'sm sep
officers either retired dropped by the act OF the
President equal number either promoted or ad-
yanced In strict conformity with the provisions Of the law
Where then has been manifested the precpancy which
has been vehemently censured2 confess that can
find part Of tho proceedings the slightest ground Tor
the charge The Secretary has been accused OF
cy in approving as whole what be condemned in detail
This appears TO to be assumption utterly uhsuan
ed by the record With ankness and fairness which DO
him infinite honor he says;
should have formed the Judgment and the same eass
cation regard each individual precisely as they have
%s ss
their opinion in large number Of cases, and such Is my
knowledge Of what renders officer Inefficient and what
constitutes real efficiency, that cannot withhold from their
better better adsnsnt ss. make Suggestions which may hav.
escaped me. have reflected much sir on th. important
sSss Ss sss ss.
nsensbty to the and pain to which
many may be subjected"
This Is exactly my own feeling. take II for granted
that in the execution of the extensive reform which the
law directed have been committed but can
point to any particular instance in which am sure
that the board has been harsh 10 its classification al
though am inclined to think 1t SO in few cases Ger
tain that their have been frequent on the
side Of undue lenienc rather than on that OF excessive
rigor II there should be any found by subsequent aves
tgaton the President has it in his to correct them
by sending in new appointments of the displaced officers
to fill vacancies that have occurred will occnr In the
different grades to take the rank the active list which
the appoinees would have occupied had they not been
tired H officer has been dropped when he should have
been placed the eaveofabse furlough list the
may be pursued to fill vacancies occurring on
those lists but contend that the finding of the board
must be taken pra to be correct in each CASE that
every presumption Is In its favor and that on him who
impugns it ia his person is thrown the burden oil
proof
There one case in which, while am satisfied that the
President in approving the finding of the board has acted
in strict conformity with the letter and spirit of the law
should desire to him correct be has the clear
stut0na power do with the advice and of the
~ has i,s exceptions and and one in Commodore Stew
art At his age 1t is impossible that he promptly and
efficiently perform all his duties ashore and aoat yet in
consideration of bis peculiar servce his strong and as
believe animpaired intellect his thorough knowledge Of
every branch of his profession would rejoice for the inter
ess to see him replaced at the head of the list
which he has long adorned This can in consequence
Of the amented death Of Commodore Norris be done to-
morrow. Such nomination would, am sure, command
ready assent Of the Senate sympathy has naturally
been excited 10 favor of several officers placed the retired
list who have been for many years employed the coast
survey other duties of scientific character and who
have discharged them satisfactorily They were proba
bly, the embarrassing the board and the Execu
tive but they provided for by the bill from the Nava
Committee For myself shall be most happy to concur
In redressing any wrong that may have been inflicted
the humblest individual but rather consent the
genera reinstatement OF those who have in my opinion
been disposed Of much 10 the advantage Of the navy
would vote for disbanding Il entirely.