The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-02-22
NGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH or SENATOR THOMSON,
Delivered in the Senate on Monday February ls 1885,
the Naval Board r. ....


Delivered in the Senate on Monday February s 1856
the Naval Board. .#.
PROCEEDINGS THE NAVAL BOARD. s
The Senate resumed the consideration Of the resolution
submitted by Mr. JONES' of Tennessee the 10Th Of De-
eember last which had been amended on his motion, 10
read as follows; .. a. =. .rs.4. /. s..g...}
Rsolesd That the Secretary Of the Navy be directed TO
muncae 20 the Senate copy Of the report made To his de-
parnent BY the board onaya officers at ashin
.sn o. an &C. approved February ~ soS
record oaDa other papers accompanying said report
Or N the absence OF such papers that he further inform The
Senate whether the for which officers Of the
opneded by that board to be dismissed retired accom-
panied that report otherwise made known in writing
70 tho department and, II that he communicate TO the
Senate a copy OF tho same. s#.M eAst#MH
Mr. 18f1MSON, OF New Jersey. Mr. President, no law
of Cong tho tirue of It's enactment seened meet
general public favor than the IAet OF February 2a
1855, 10 promote the efficiency OF the navy Officers who
had been laborng Tor many years to have retired list
esoiishsd III he navy were especially gfauhed ana from
them itreceived peculiar communication Indeed sir had
it not been orther representations of the necency OF
the Pfronn Of the service it is probable that this meas
OF reform would not have been adopted But IL
adopted and with but slight opposition In Congress 1T
is law OF the land and its provisions have been carried
into effect and hear II daily denounced in this
chamber by eloquent senators unconstitutional aud
vicious in its prncpe and in It'd eaecution cruel aud
unjust. a.n . .. - ID t.... ... .... ..
M President my opinion in regard to the necessity and
propfety Of this law has undergone change whatever
since ii enacted ... .. ..r..
1t was then admitted on all hands that the "psonnep
of the navy required much pruning that many OF its OH
nifty; that others had rendered themselves unfit for il by
excessive indulgence in bad habits and that the law limit
ing the number Of officers OF each grade in the navy
GUIDED many Of activity energy and skill nom positions
in which they could render valuable service TO their coun-
try. ."
To meet them and correct such condition Of things,
this bill introduced and, Notwithstanding all that has
been said In condemnation of it, believe ii will accom-
psh what it intended to accompsha great and
cessary reform in the navy of the United States.
To give effect 10 the intentions Of Congress- and IN strict
pursuance the provisions of the law board order
ed TO make careful examination into the efficiency OF
the officers of the navy and to report to the Secretary the
names and rank of all those who, the judgment OF said
board shall be incapable of performing promptly and eii-
centy all their duty both ashore and aoa and that all
performing the duties of their respective Offices ranks or
grades shall if such finding be approved by the President
be dropped from the rolls and be placed list in the
Navy Register, be entitled the reserved list &c. SC.
The duty Of this board a most painful They
called upon to give their opinion in regard to the
ability of their brother officers to discharge all their du
ties efficiently, both ashore and ahoat 1t made the
imperative not discretionary duty Of this board to render
their judgment wherever Disability existed without refer
ence in any case 10 position, rank or to services Per-
formed however glorious beneficial to the country II
thus involved the necessity of investigation into the
physical and mental condition. personal habits, and char
aeter Of these officers, and also into their ability TO die
charge efficiently all the duties Of the deck at Aud ia
this, At may be- have been found wanting. In bu-
dockyard officer may be capable of discharg-
ing his dasy with consummae ability who might
heess be inefficient on board ship. Indeed OF sail
or il may be said, of poet with degree of h,
sor 1hisqSalincaticn Of searnanship on the
part Of an officer only be known by those with whom
he has sailed who have had opportunities opersonay wit
Messing his ability 10 manage ship under all the varying
circumstances Of sunshine and of storm There may Off
who, taking no interest in their profession, and with
taste aptitude for it, have neglected to accomplish
themselves 10 this important branch OF their duty, and
thus become inefficient in its discharge and as
the rule Of service all rise promotion by seniority
there may be Others who have regarded profession with
indifference in which merit and skill procure advance
men and have made no exerons to attain proficiency in
it, Hence the difficulty which the department has some
times experienced in obtaining promptly officers for ship
destined for distant unhealthy station Excuses
made and sick certificates sent in, TO obtain relief from
orders Aud these backed as frequently they have been
by political influence have always been made ia vain
And thus it is be feared that there have been officers
navy with whom from negecung their duties at
and from naputude for their profession, il would not he
prudent the safety OF ship ship in charge of
unsk iful officer might perish in gale, when it
efficient officer were ia command she would survive it,
have myself heard officers say that when Mr. So-nnd-so
had the midwatch In squally night there was not much
sound sleep by the watch below. How many officers (if
any have been retired for ncompeency Of this kind do
not know
From the consideration then, OF the physical men
and moral condition Of AN officer his seaseryee his shore
service the time unemployed, and his capacity ship
board the board formed their Judgment 20 his ability,
in the language OF the law "to perform promptly and ef
fcenuy all his duty, ashore and Rhoat and reported
their finding TO the Executive.
And Mr.. President will here ask whether The selec-
on Of the members who composed this board for all these
purposes, not good one? Sir take it upon myself
10 say, from having had ut the time Of lis being
nounoed opportunities of knowing the feelings of the Off
Gers Of the navy that had they been called upon make
selectlou by ballot Of the officers constitute this board
very little change would have been made from the one
ordered by the Secretary
II was hailed every where with accamatous of salisEc-
ton and By than by officers OF the navy
Of whom 1t is said, complaining Of its action.
They perfectly satisfied everybody satisfied
til the result OF their sbors had been made known. Then
however Il discovered that blameless and efficient Of
cers had been displaced TO make room, In superior
grade for junior officers who members Of this board
then IL discovered that secret mallgn influences had
been at work theu remembered old quarrels and
difficulties with members Of the board long since perhaps
forgotten by atleast of the parties then charged
that 10 crafty dastardly spirit Of revenge advantage
bad been taken Of irresponsible position 10 strike
lopq-clsyed and coward blow at deteuceess brother
Officer
Bul Of all this not word before the finding OF the
board made public protests against starchamber
iuqusiuous against tribunals against The propriey
and legality OF trying and condcmniug party without
hearug-without opportunity Of confronting accusers
and ctoss-oNamining wtnessesnot word Of all this
I'll the Judgment Of the board had been made known.
The lsy passed the 2Sth day of February, 1855
The board convened the goth day Of June and conc
ded sabos the 26th day Of july 1855. The appoint
OF the board aud the meeting Of the board pub
shed throughout the country and known to
and especially 10 those who directly interested in It's
proceedings This then the accepted time for pro-
tests against secret tribunals and chamber nquis
tons This the time for protests against mode OF
procedure which all knew necessarily he adopted by
the board But there none sir no protests no re-
monstrauces, no objections, complaints.
And Mr. President will be excused, trust, FOR ox-
pressing my belief In the mpnriiay and fairness OF tis
board and that its consceutiousy and earcsy
discharged their duty TO the best OF their ability and with
a single view to the efficiency Of the navy
Errors have been Committed but not ms believe, In