Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-03-07
For the Enquirer.
THE NAVAL BOARD-lTS REPORT CoNSI-
DERED.

lie has attained the hi CHEST rank and position in tls
Navy, to which, under existing laws, any officer
BIZ promoted. Yet he complains that an octosennr ian
should be put the retired list TINT he. already at
the head OF tho Navy, s rendered incapable Of (n--
tier promotion denied the opportunity of climbing
hi@k,r than the hjgaest round Of the ladder! The
gnlautry and chvalrous !irrusm Of "OlG lroasies,"
III the war of lSi2i5, are familiar household
words TO the American people. They nrc proudly
treasured 10 nntious memory, and preserved among
the cherished records of our cuuntry's glory. No
true American desires TO pluck s!nge leaf from tho
lRuceled wreath which aiorps the venerated hero,s
brow. The Naval Board are wholly gulitless Of Of
ferng such violence 10 the grateful public apprecla-
tiou of his character aud services Nevertheless, he
bns allowed himself to complain, and seeks repara'
tion to bis "siShtsd fame" and wounded honor
With the recent experience before them, OF severe
disaster 10 the Englsh arms rserrsble confes:edy,
TO the scptuagcnarau WARRIORS il could hardly be eI-
rectcd that Board o! officers, convened TO give et.
feet To law 10 promote tie Efficiency Of the Nary"
could hesitate to REC coMMEsD the OLDEST Commodore
in th. service for position at renunerntive,
dguihed aud honorable, on the RETIRED LIST, yet
reserved for future service, should occasion deinand
his counsel and experience. To have uctcd other.
wise, the Board would have ignored the lessons of
experience, and condemned tile decree oil Providence,
which requires
"Ola men for counsel, ycpng for war"
ltis however, not to discuss the case Of any parti
cular utfcsr who may be affected by the Boards
ton, that write IL il to present, through the Rich
reasuns seem obviously TO justify the rccomneu
datons Of the Board aud vindicnte tn. wisdom and
efficacy Of the law. To do this e1rctuay, we must
consider, canddly,
/. The Evil, To BE CURED.
II. The REnEDY.
| Ill The MoDE OF ITS APPLICATION.
|. As TO THE EyiL.-1his was IyEFFIciEScY or IN.
COMPETENCY in the officers Of the Navy, contessedy
disquuifying many OF them for tho duties Of their
profession, htluat and ashore. Inability TO perform
the requisite service only arise from Of several
causes, such as old age and consequent physical and
mental depreciation, ignorance oi and untitness for
professional duty from deficient intelligence or too
limited sea service. incaparity produced by accdent
misfortune or dseGse, and personal demerit aud u-
wor;hinrss. This was the evil and these we're the
CAUSES which produced aId perpetuated the mis-.
chief.
II. War REMEDY should bs adopted 1t should
be suggested by wiss and confederate regard 10
the claims and the aensirive feelings OF the officers
and to the good OF tho service. Several plans were
open To choice.
/. The President might Of right strike from the
rolls without responsibility right Of appeal, the
name of any officer, as inefficient unworthy.
.. The Secretary Of the Navy might arralgnn and
try, by Court Martial charges OF neglect OF duty
conselur ncapacity, any or all of them.
5. Congress, by virtue OF its constitutional lunc.
tona to make rules and regulations for the gov ern-
ment of the Navy" might egislate directly for the
removal or remedy OF the grievance and conhde the
execution Of the law TO a competent board OF naval
officers.
The FIRST was Objectionable, because of the great
responsibility it would devolve on the President, hls
obvious reluctauco to assume il, and the abuse OF
power tn which, in the hands OF single Individual
thu practice might lead
Ths sec0ad wns in effect. impracticable because OF
the great length of time and the enormous expense
which the proceeding won!d involve.
The Mra, therefore, scented TO be the only advlsn.
bic plan. 1t accordingly rcsOred Ia, without
dissenting voice from, if nat T.: the unanimous wish
Of the naval officers Themselves II was also warmly
.koria fhn Nnt 40
succcssvclv, md urged by the President. Seeing
them that this the best and in fact the only prac
b trabe plan, let ia iuquira, m
;, III. Hou did Congress apply the remedy! The,
t passed. with remarkable unnnimty, the law whicl
bears object and intention its face It is enti
tied, "An act 10 promote tie efficiency Of the Nary
d 1t requires the President to appoint board Of ~
1t teen officers, consisting Of five captains FIVE comman
ders, aud five lieutea;s, 10 snake, under such reg
uatops as the Secretary Of the Navy may prescribe
u careful examination into the efficiency et tho o
e cere" and to "report the names and rank ot all 9th
it GERS tcf certain grades) who, in lS Judgment Of
Z Board, shall be incapable OF perforning prompt
e and cSc;eay, all ther duty iola ashore and qlat.
Ard Whenever said board shall believe "thut said in
, competency has from any cause implying enfi
cicnt blame on the part of the officer 10 usty it, the
shall recommend that his name be stricken nogethe
Il from the rolls" 1t is also provided that no officers
upon said board shall exuinue into or report upon th
$ efficiency Of officers Of Crude above them"
t The Board. thu. constituted, consisted OF the fol
h lowing named officers
$ CSPTArs,.-Shubrick, Perry, McCauey, Striblp,
Il and Bigelow.
j. CoMNAsDEe..-Pendergr Buchanan, Du Pom;
Barron hld Foots.
r LIEuTrSASTs-MssroonP Page, Godon, Maury ant
I Biddle.
: To every one acquainted with the persoane' Of ou
0 Navy it is manifest that the Navy Register does no
J. contain the Damcs Of the same humber Of officers,
superior qualifications. greater professional merit
lollier personal Lonor. 1t will be remembered tha
the voice OF tho country, and of the press warpl,
al Il.
the Executive III the srection, for this Important ant
responsible SERVICE Of officer, OF such admitted 1T
ness and capacity.
In the discharge Of his functions ITO prescribe 70
gulntons" for their guidance, MIR Secretary Dobbii
addressed them u terms 50 manly and appropriate
that cannot forbear to incorporate an extract from
his admirable letter. He said
;, "RcpOsing confidence in your integrity and inelll
gence persuaded Of your competency I" dI.crmlnat
with justice, beCase II your experience and your per
souui und official association with your brother otn
GERS; entertaining no doubt Of your having the nde
pcnderce to discharge your duty with fidelity ant
stcudiucss of purpose, however decae or painful,
have IN abiding faith tia. tho honor and reputation
of the service viii he safe in your hands, aud that
need not indulge in elaborate argument or appeals to
your pride officers aud patriotism as citzens to CO.
operate in causing tho standard OF capacity III the
American navy to be maintained nt IN elevation
commanding the confidence and respect OF the coun
try Cousderate Statesmen look to the ocean as the
thentre on which future national conflicts are, to
large extent 10 be settled aud the commerce OF the
country regards the navy, not merely rs friendly
ally but sure protector Our wonderful expansion
as q ua,ion, the necessary multiplication Of grave
questions with distant foreign powcrs. and our wide
spread commerce., bave attracted, With greatly IN
eased concern, the attention oil the legislative aud
executive departments U: governmental the condition
of the navy, and tho Importance OF securing vlSor
energy aud capacity in ts persnnnel In order t6e
more ct:ea.uay to attain that object, and yet hot dc
injustice from haste or ignorance, Cougress In. au
tloriZrd the assembling nf board OF officers, whose
duties shall 6e merely OF an advisory nature, aud a.
au aid tn the Executive i'll promoting 'the efficiency
of the navy. The Executive hns appointed yoa uu
der that law and II now becomes your duty to make
careful examination" aud &c ecport in pursuance
thereof. Aud here, geii.iener sllow me to invite
your attention to the .eaTchng language Of the law
The gy reuui-ea capacity; but it stups not here for
must he T. capacity to perform "ail duty-"ashore
ar noat." But stops not herc for it Is not con-
tent with mere capacity TO perform duty, but de-
mands that it sha! be done, not merely promptly,
tbnt "eficen.ly" The !uo. therefore, has fixed the
test. You are an advisory board to assist in en-
forcing il. YoGT own sound common sense, and ae
ouaintance with the duties of all officer, will guide
yon to the true practical Interpretation of this Eli
cheney, efcsncy-tlat is what is required. lneth
Cheney inetticiemcy-thatis is what Ia to be Withdraw
in order TO "pron'ots the ecieM. Neither tie law
nor the country usks for anything unreasonable. In
examining as to who are "ncapRhle OF performing
! their whole duty both ashore and aaoat," l need
hardly suggest tu you that officer may be 'incapa
BILE" either neua!!y. physically. or morally; for, al.
though he mhy p0sstss strong mind aud roous1
frame vet if hs moral perception of right and wrong
bs so biunted md de5asad 70 render him unreha'
Bile, be could riy bs ranked as the capable ofhcer'
to b. intrused with the lives Of his conntrymeG ana
the property aud honor Of bis country.
Under such auspices and with every laeennYe 70
discharge their delicate duty deiioeFatet; "a d.
trmly, the Board convened. Up 10 this time ana 90
ring ts nearly two months session. when its 'eareiui
examination into the etaciepcy OF fhe oincers was
calmly progresa no. one mote % O' .oy
ns. n.r ,ha Isw Of Coneres. or those who were re-
s.,n,s H. Yet the act was before the pub
ic with all its odious srAE-eHAaSSk ea.Hz.s ~ @ On ln
: 'front.' Tbs Board, too, possessed TEES an tne same
ia,a, which the vigilance os the press has only