The daily union., 1856-04-03
Glass.

In this table 1t is assumed that the average age al which
ofcers have entered the navy is fifteen years that the
midshpmen OF s4l would rise towards the rank of lieu
tenant at the average of eighteen annually that the
Junior euenants the Navy Register 1855 would rise
at the average rate OF ten annually that the junior
manders the Register of 1855 would rise towards the
rank OF captain at the average rate of five annually 1t is
also assumed that the junior commander before the
Senate would have risen from his position as lieutenant
on the Register OF 1855 at the average of eight
annually towards the grade TO which the retired list has
advanced him,
Do senators know at what age the brilliant achieve
ments of navy have been effected by the men whose
names reflect so mach usre Its annals They all had
the rank OF captain long before the time which without
the aid OF this act your midshpmen could expect
charge Of the deck for watch junior eucnants And
now let me ask why do we keep up expensive navy
One would infer from what has been said by more than
one senator that it established for the benefit
the officers; that once having obtained commission
they had q life estate in It's privileges and emolu-
nents. have been under different impression had
supposed that for the protection OF
and the Vindcaon Of rights and honor assaed
How except on the former hypothesis the declaration
be explained that rather than suffer njusca to be done
single officer who has been a2greved should replace
everything on footing which all admit TO he mischiev
Gus AS every senator who has expressed himself in OPP
position to the action Of the President has
OF what he TO be wrong redress
by refusing to confirm nominaons-if that mode Of pro-
eeeding be carried out the law is nullifed
placed, they contend exactly where twelve
months since Bot this negative result cannot be attained
even by taking the extreme remedy suggested by my
friends from Virginia and Texas (Messrs Mason and
RUsK the repeal of the law shall not enter in to the
legal and consu ons questions which have been started
as TO the effect of the action Of the President they have
been concusvely answered by my colleague with bis
customed lucidity and force Of argument could add
nothing useful to what is already complete aud shall
only say that concur with him fully In thing that
he has said on these points.
But admitting for moment that by legislative action
could restore every 10 his standing on the
navy list what would then be the state Of this
of the public defence2 DeplorabIe II before the
evil would be infinitely aggravated Feuds the most Bit
ter and unappeasabe between all those who had been
moved from the active list and those who had been
taned mpuuiy proclaimed for incapacity and offences
Of every degree total destruction Of that subordna-
on and discipline without which national ships will
only leave ports TO become the prey Of the enemy and
disgrace flag In war; their be the victims
of the thousand accidents Of the in peace To this
1t may be replied that no Secretary Of the Navy would in
cur the responsibility Of giving active employment
who bad been declared incapable unworthy by the
Judgment Of their peers This might and probably would
be the case and what would necessarily be the
quence You will have two hundred and officers
receiving pay for services not rendered. pension list
odious alike from the character of majority OF the recP
ientso its lavish bounty and from the whence 1t s
derived the diminished pay Of those who will discharge
their duties and Who on every principle of fair dealing
and public iS policy should occupy their grades
ner In which II has been executed.
The first section directed that the President should call
board to be assembled consist of FIVE captains FIVE
commanders and Eve lieutensn How this preliminary
duty discharged Confessedy by the selection of fifteen Of
the very best in the service of their respective grades
Inc press OI Tue country UNANIMOUS
OF that selection Not whisper OF reproach Cnsure
heard They were when assembled, to make under such
regulations the Secretary Of the Navy might prescribe
careful examination into the efficiency Of the officers OF
the several grades Of captains commanders euenans
masters and passed midshpnnen The Secretary did pre-
scribe the regulations under which they 70 and
notwithstanding the vague inmaons which have been
peaedy made here that he bad msconstrued the law and
laid down rules which Inconsistent with Its letter
and spirit do not recoect that any has attempt
ed to point out specifically any clause of his nsrue-
tions where that inconsistency exists have read them
atentvey, than once, with the law before me- and
discover not the slightest ground for the allegation
They remarkable for their simplicity and directness
and he invariably quotes the very words of the law for
his authority Ia adopting them I have seldom read a
public document TO which could give unqualified an
assent to this much-abused letter OF instructions The
board to make careful examination into the efficiency
of officers
The words "carefu examination" have been fruitful
theme Of defamation; they constantly quoted and II
Is ssked with Triumphant air how careful examine
ton have been made into the efficiency Of hundred
and twelve officers when but hiry-seven days elapsed
rom the commencement of Its deliberations until their
elosef The report OF the Naval Committee presents in the
letter of Commodore Shubrick very conclusive answer
II gives us the mode Of proceeding Of the board Every
officer was deemed Efficient unless suggestion 10 the cou
trary was made by officer Of grade competent TO
pass upon bis efficiency This at once disposed Of more
than FIVE hundred out Of the hundred and twelve
leaving the careful examination to be made only Of the