Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-05-21

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| ton and action. Il further provides temporary
s,,spension Of the law limiting the number OF oih-s
GERS and that the dropped officers not restofed are
| to receive one years pay q transfer from inc fur.
Tough to the reservedpay list; and it repeals the
clause rendering reserved officers ineligible to pro-
| notion Now, here is remedy for any error, and
the provision for the officers is liberal If this open
investigation into personal or professional character
is desired by any officer, he will have full and fair
opportunity under the law in force since 1880 au-
thorizing courts of inquiry; and feel well assured
that the President and Secretary Of the Navy will
| not only cooperate but cheerfally aid in doing am
pie and complete justice to any officer who has been
inadvertently, improperly, or even desgnedlY retir-
| ed without just cause.
| 1t is objected, however, that this court will be
composed of Navy officers, and that those complain
ing will be subjected to the same envious and inter
| ested influences that controlled the Naval Board.
To whom, then, will you confide this inquiry To
court of civilians? To committee of either or
| both branches of Congress? Has the Navy become
so corrupt-have all the officers become degraded,
that an inquiry cannot ba safely confided to court
of naval officers to report upon the efficiency OF ma
val officers? l cannot believe it. Concede it, and
| can you more seriously detract from, or condemn,
the personnel of the Navy? It may, however, be
prudent to place this court portion of the men,
bers from civil life
The bill further provides for the establishment of
corps, to be called Z" tho scientific corps Of hs Ma
py," to be composed of one captain, two command
ers ten lieutenents, and seven masters takcr from
the active and reserved lists to which shall be as
signed all duties pertaining to the Naval Observa-
tory and all scientific duties connected with the ma
val service. confess this feature of the bill has
not commended itself so strongly to my judgment.
am not well satisfied of the propriety of Great
ing this new corps, although have great confidence
in the Committee on Naval Affairs.
There is, however, one provision of the bill for
which cannot vote. allude to the sixth section
creating the grade of admiral. 1t is charged that
this is inserted with the expectation that the Office
will be conferred upon Commodore Stewart. No
one appreciates more highly than do the character
Of that distinguished man, and I honor him for his
patriotic and faithful services to the country; but
sir, it is bad precedent, and that do not APP
prove--the creation of new Office for particular
man. Again, object to the disposition frequently
manifested to follow the example of foreign Govern
ments in making and comforting new titles. ! am
for holding on to our American policy in its native
simplicity. Some of these considerations will ap-
ply as objections, but not with the same FORCE to
the fifth section also, which gives the title of flag
! officers to captains in command of squadrons.
And now to conclude. Two three cases of
supposed wrong and injustice land it may be that
such cases have been clearly established have been
seized upon, and prominently discussed in the Sc
nate, with the expectation that denuDciaton of the
board and condemnation of the Secretary and the
President in these cases, may induce some action by
which the old state of things may be attained. The
repeal of the law of the last session is urged an
etfectual remedy by which a general restoration of
all the retired officers may be effected do not
think it is possible to do this by repeal but if it
were, have a decided conviction that we had much
better-the interests of the public, and the success
Of this arm OF defense being considered disband
the corps of naval officers entirely, and reorganze
it. than to adopt this suggestion My impression is
that the board have erred more in retaining hard
cases, to which the Senator from Texas alluded
than in retiring efficient men.
But il, under the pressure now imposed, this re-
ch01I ho nd Iy1nr,ar ho1 hn
attained by Congressy The Navy ought to be cher
ished in the affections of the whole people. But if
these abuses are reinstated and fastened upon u.s.
the people will demand through the President of
the United States the exercise of his executive pow
err to invigorate the Navy and, a necessary
sequence, continued and extensive discussion of
these abuses will greatly njure the Navy in public
estimation.
We are reminded that large portion of the peo-
pie are indignant at the action of the naval board;
State Legislatures have been induced to pass reso
resolutions; and, much to my astonishment in the
bill of indictment preferred by convention of the
Know Nothing party, recently held in Philadelphia,
the action Of the naval board. and the administra
ton of the law of the last session, form of the
counts against the President. Certainly, the party
were sratened for principles of public policy from
which to construct platform but it may account
for the energy of some Senators here in condemn
ing the President the Secretary of the Navy, and
the naval board, in carrying out this necessary re-
form in the Navy. These censures may be relished
by those who take pleasure in the condemnation of
the Administration; but confident the large
mass of the people will still believe that the Gov
eminent not established for the peculiar benefit
of Office holders, and will cordially approve the
of public servants in honest effort to make
efficient the Navy of the United States.
No great reform in any branch of the public SER
vice can be accomplished without creating discon-
tent among those who are personally affected by it.
regret there is little disposition to reform
many abuses and eXtravagances that daily
growing up, and which need correction. 1t requires
high degree of moral courage to recommend even
much more to accomplish reform. in any depart
ment of this Government, legislative executive.
wish could see more of it manifested. Retrench-
ment and reform at this day generally voted OBJ
solcte ideas; but think have reason to congratu-
late my State that of her has with such
pertinacity pressed and with such ability sustained,
a radical and beneficial reform in an important
branch Of the public service-that Congress, with
great unanimity, has needed and adopted his re-
concentrations The Navy, the pride Of the coun-
try has been elevated in the public affections by
! removing an incubus that threatened annhilation;
and let the clamor of interested parties continue
and increase, believe the people will approve the
act and cherish the public servants by whose agen-
CIV the public interests have been SO essentially pro-
NOTED.
AN EDITORS L1FE.-A gentleman who formerly
conducted weekly paper writes to a friend in this
county who has recently assumed the charge of
daily paper as follows:
"You must live in and for the paper. There is
no escape from this voluntary and yet lifelong sav
cry. For now nearly ten years l have known the
willing, voluntary unbroken service which the true
servant of free press must render. My weekly
charge has been more than I can bear; and often,
like the slave described with such pathetic elOquence