Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1856-01-04

came inefficient would the Secretaries I" the navy
for the lnst fifteen years have again and again Hfrd'
with almost ,riuGC"u- zeal, that s"fic "lf!t-''''
ulu;s u.c # rcinrn in-lcn-dJie 20 save ne ANY,
;nn. uuyrn.iiu.. rain would committees, session
after s,s.ntl. have r,,nrlr'i and lIc-s,G :Nra i,'
surcs Would grave members iinN- arisen as They
did in Congress aud have seriously moved {" abolish
the navy und begin again, II but sIhul deier' cAs''
cd Would the Senate, every session Tor some yeurS'
have almost with unannity pissed the measure i"r
relieving the service o the inefficient aud orimpnrt'
ing vigor and health by promoting able anu brave
officers before age had crippled their energies ana
impaired their usefulness Would the press IN aI-
most every town and village have Illuminated It's mum
ders for REFORM and have tcEned with articles III a-
dation and approval when the measure prevailed II
but Il small number OF rle Incapable blocked up the
path OF promotion! Or had il become manifest TO
all tn statesnau and citizen, that something radical
thorough and searching must he administered t" So
cure the navy from the dangers which nperi'"d Il,
and enancpated it, il possible. from the weight
which seemed surely to he burdenlng and pressing
it DOWN.
The regulations rescribcd-which have hereto
fore been published-the correspondence with aad
the report Of the Board accompany this report
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR.
The Secretary of War tIIon. JEFF. Davis urges in
creased compensation TO army officers, aud revision
of the law respecting their allowances. Also, that
the provision OF the last Congress- increasing the pay
Of the rank and file. be extended to a enlisted men.
Also, increase Of medical corps. and the addition
Of tive military store keepers. lie recommends Il
judicous continuance of coast defences, and cs
pecially renews the suggestion for the terrifying oil
Ship Island 10 defend the approaches to New Orleans
He presents, aso neat and forcbe argument i'll In
vor of the Pacfic Rail Road, as means of Il nation
al defence, but avoids recommending its construction
by Governmental aid although lie distinctly lntlmae>
n disposition to favor such aid. lie shows the actual
strength Of the army to be fifteen thousand seven
hundred and fifty two men. Enlistnents during me
last twelve months, ten thousand five hundred and
forty six; enstmcnts refused, twenty thousand five
hundred and twenty-twoi number "l casualties, hVc
thousand five hundred. Disposition Of the tro"p-re
mains pretty much stated i'll lust ANIMAL report
REPORT OF TIE POSTMASTER GENERAL.
The Postmaster General Judge Campbel) su:-
gess that the franking privilege lie restricted TO pub
lie documents and letters Oh public business merely
also, the charge of full rates upon newspapers III MI
cases, instead If halt rates. when paid quarterly IN
advance He recommends compulsory prepayment
by stamps of postage books, pamphlets, circn!nrS
and all other transient matters. lie AGAIN urges The
six months notice 10 the Collins steamers III disrn'l-
muanco Of tine extra pay voted them III July, 49,.
He presses this subject al some length.