The daily union., 1856-04-03


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mander. The board unanimous upon the question OF
aeheiency in one hundred and fifty in thrty-hree
cases 1t was pronounced by vote of two,hirds more
leaving only eighteen TO be disposed of by less than
wobirds vote With the records of the department be-
fore hem and the personal knowledge in almost every in
stance OF several members of the board the time
ample How perfectly baseles hen the accusation of in
decent haste II quite In keeping with insnnaons as
to the motives OF sadyancement which have controlled
their action, while at the time disclaimer is made
of any intention TO mpu9n their honor. II would be
easy task to defend these gentlemen against any d
rect accusation believe all and each of them be above
reproach Professionally aud socially. Would that this
could be said OF tithe OF those who have come be-
fore 10 impugn not only their Judgment but their
uves Some who present themselves with bold front TO
challenge investigation into their past would be
could pass another Of grade superior to bis and
it is susceptible OF the strctest mathematical demonsra-
on that in the vast majority of the professional
pecuniary interests OF any of tue members Of the board
could in no manLer be advanced by his vote
The board was to make careful examination into the
efficiency Of officers and report to the Secretary Of the
Navy all those "who in its Judgment were incapable Of
performing Promptly and efficiently all their duty ashore
and afoat So far the Senate concerned the bill
TO this extent received its unanimous assent Are
to shrink from the strictly logical and necessary eonse-
quences Of deliberate action? What constitutes
the efficient officer II is his capacity to discharge with
medium degree of ability any duty imposed upon him be-
longing properly to bis grade Take for instance lieu
tenant during certain number OF hours every day,
night he is to take charge of the ship to which he at
gence acquainted with his profession theoretically and
practically, but he has one fatal defect he frequently
excess The lives of hundreds may depend on his vigil
ance-wi you trust him with watehi If not he is in
efficient AS you advance in grade the exgences of ot
cheney are greater. The commander of shp-ofwar is
often, in peace the representative of the glory and
honor of his country. He may have in addition to tho
qualities | have just conceded to his lieutenant that
of temperance he may drink nothing but water Has be
the faculty of commandcn be maintain the discipline Of
his ship-ean he keep her in good condition The alb
distinct evidence Of incapacity but by the results of
cruise BE returns from 1t with dissatisfied officers ur
buent and disoganzed he has exhibited in foreign
ports vessel whose sloveny appearance and management
have been the subject Of the malignant of officers
of other nations For this there remedy in courts
martial there is no specific substantive offence on which
charge can be based. The best correction that can be
hoped for is that until Secretary into Office
he will not be trusted with another ship.
But lie will continue to receive his full pay and be an
obstacle to the promotion of others worthy. The
danger is increased tenod in the highest grade The
nander of squadron frequently has grave and delicate
duties to perform By want OF proper frmness and
ergy he may sacrifice the interests of citizens and tar
mi.h the honor of the flag By his indiscreton reck
essness be may involve us in nextcable difficulties with
foreign nations. Once arrived at certain position on the
Navy Register captain considers himself entitled to
mani squadron and, however unfit he may he for the
post his claim Is generally admitted How often have obi
been placed in this responsible position TO whom
prudent would intrnst the conduct of any Important
in the ordinary affairs Of lfel In every profession
and pursuit you find who have mistaken their
Cn either for want of that special aptitude which each
qures 10 greater less degree because God has not
endowed them with that average degree Of intelligence ne
esary ordinary Is it not reasona-
be to suppose that the navy offers NO exception to the
general rule and that its rolls present fair proportion OF
such material Will you because they have had the good
fortune procure mdshipmans warrant before the
tablshment OF the admirable academy at Annapolis con-
tnue advance them through each successive grade to
the highest rank aud employ them in positions for which
they wholly unit, or give them enormous pensions,
under the disguise of pay until death relieves you from
the burden Such has not been our policy with the ar ny
We have reduced il several times by mode substantially
the that which has been pursued here with this
marked difference however that instead Of liberal pro-
vision for life the officers have been dis6anded with few
months extra pay The President has under the advice
Of military board, decided to retain certain officers the
direct consequence has been the dropping OF those not re-
tanned The distinction is purely verbal one and II
ph hraseoogy had been adopted in the nayareorm
BILL its opponents would have been deprived of their most
specious arguments attribute the greater relative ef
cency OF officers Of the army class to the purGa-
tons operated by these reductions and to sterner cd
minstraton by the chiefs OF the War Department
The board and the Secretary have been severely and in
my opinion unusy assaed because official record
was kept OF their proceedngs and yet II easy demon
that il there be any fault In this respect IL Is not
with them, but with Congress This not matter OF
plain and imperative. What they TO report TO tho
Secretary of the Navy "The and rank Of all Off
in the several grades who 10 their Judgment shall be
incapable Of performing promptly and efficiently all their
duties ashore and ahoai' This they did dol and had
they gone further and reported Tho causes on which their
Judgment based they would have been justly amenable
to that censure which The directly opposite reason,
has been freely cast upon them And here " may be
well state that by the Senate amendment OF the prece
ding session. required Of the proposed board Of OFF,
GERS give In each of retirement the for its
action The omission do in the law OF 1856 Is con-
elusive the intention of Congress- So far the bill Is
such passed the Senate-not only without dsssnt-
ing voice but with the hearty concurrence Of all II went
the House, and there clause was added which, In my
Judgment presents its most salutary foaturel mean what
is commonly called the drop clause IL 10 IN these words
whenever said board shall believe that said incom
potency from any Implying Sufficient blame
Justify IT, they shal recommend that his name be alto
gether stricken from the rolls
The Senate had only administered paliaves the House
wisely decided 10 the knife II knew that the navy
tained corrupt well inefficient membes IL directed
their cxcson Without the drop clause the bill could not
have passed the House Representatives knew from past
experience the unwingness Of Secretaries, and the in
efficiency Of courts.maral to abate the nuisance and
they chose to adopt summary mode Of proceeding
Even with this clause IL was vigorously attacked
the ground Of lis prouse provision for retired officers
We had at the previous session engrafed, by way
Of amendment the nava-appropriaion bill, q
ton containing regulations for retired list the House
refused In It, This difference led to committee
Of conference Of which had the honor 10 be member,
with my friend from Florida chairman Of the Naval
Committee We struggled earnestly TO sustain the amend
ment and be will confirm me in saying that the reason
why the House members in conference refused to concur
with the apprehension that IL IL were adopted IL
would render difficult IL not impossible the radical
reform which they desired Al the last session. when the
drop clause introduced by the House. came up In the Sen
its adoption vigorously opposed by the senator
from Delaware lie execution Is at the present time He
least has the merit Of consistency He and senator
from Florida not now a member OF this body, denounced
It. the ground Of the secrecy of is proceedngs It's In
NJ ffttta