Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-04-18

lends of the reserved and dropped Officers ''of |
advancing their own professional interest by re-
moving those above them" We know nothing !
of the truth falsehood of the accusation but if
1t were true, how would il be possible to organize
a Court of Inquiry by selecting for its members 4
officers who stand upon the navy list ADORE all Of
board? For instance, Captain Shubrick is the
first captain on the active list and the old board
Of fifteen removed to the reserved list Captains
Stewart, Cassin, Read, Wilkinson and Jones,
who were above him on the list, and who are his
seniors In service. Where would the Pennsylva-
mia obtain court to inquire into the reasons why
these five senior captains were reserved! The
Secretary should not be expected to work out an
utter impracticability, or to provide a new spe-
cifc for all the supposed weaknesses of human
nature.
Captain Lavalette has been more than forty
five years in the service and more than seventeen
at sea has commanded squadrOns, and Is now in
command of the Washington Navy Yard. Cap
tain McCluny has been forty years in the
service, and twenty years at sea- and Is an officer
of unquestionable ability. Capt II. A. Adams
has been more than forty-three years in the
vice, and nearly twenty at sea. One Of the Courts
consists Of these three officers, whose experience
in naval affairs, pride in their profession, and
sense of justice, should at least be guaranty of
their impartiality and honorable purposes.
Captain Pope has been more than forty years
in the service, and more than twenty at sea Capt
Mexican more than forty-two In service, and
nearly sixteen at sea and Captain Van Brunt
more than thirty EIGHT in service and thirteen at
sea. Nor should their qualifications and integ-
rty as, members Of the second Court be considered
questionable.
" Captain Mercer has been forty-two years I'm
service, and has seen nearly nineteen of them at
sea and Captain Pearson has had about the same
| terms Of sea and shore experience. Whoever the
third member of this Court may be, no doubt he
is similarly qualified and equally reliable.
THE difficulty of organizing these Courts i'm a
manner perfectly satisfactory to all parties, is ap
parent devolving upon the new Secretary of the
Navy weight of unusual responsibility.
II Is an easy matter for the Pennsylvania TO
suggest that it would prevent complaint hereafter
if the courts were organized from the senior and
difficult accomplishment To this desirable end,
however, the Secretary has approached, az nearly
As II is proper, convenient and practicable. The
| courts as at present organized, are composed of
| members all Of whom are above a large proper
| ton of the reserved lst-above some dozen
served commanders. all the reserved lieutenants.
masters &c, and to that extent, the suggestion of
the Pennsylvania is carr led out. Nor Is il prob
able that the members will be governed by inter
| eSted D1otires as their decisions, whatever they
| may be, will not-under the late law-have 4 ten
| dency to reduce their own rank to lower
grade.
% On taking the chair of the Department these
vexed questions. with all their peculiar perplexi
ties, were found upon the SecretaTys table, sub
ject to his action; and it becomes his duty to act
| according to his own good judgment, mercifully
incining to the aggreved parties, and yet rigid
ly enforcing the laws according to his obligation
! to the service and the country"
| AS will be perceived, the Journal adopts the
mistake corrected by the Star yesterday, as to
the composition of the third court, which is
composed altogether of officers not promoted
through the action of the late retiring board.
We republish its article above, because en-
tirely satisfied of the justice and propriety of
the views therein expressed.
THE SECOND Authorship OF THE TREASURY.
After going to press yesterday we heard of the
appointment of the Hon. Thos. J. d. Fuller Of
Maine, to this position, with more real pleasur re
than we can express. We know we'll that the
Democracy of Congress from all sections Of the
Union will receive the news Of his selectio for
that trust and honor and responsibility as an
additional guarantee that the new Administra-
ton are determined to deal justly and fairly by
all interests in the party-a position that does
| infinite credit to its good sense and sound De-
I mooracy While there are few gentlemen in
| the Democratic organization of more experience
in connection with public affairs than Mr.. F.
there is certainly no one who enjoys more of its
esteem and regard-East, West, North or South
| RESIGNATION OF ARMY OPPICERs.-The res
ignations of the following named officers of the
army have been accepted by the President:
Capt Francis f. Patterson 9Th infantry: to
take effect May l, 1857.
First Lieut.. Robert E. Patterson, 9th in
fantry; to take effect May l, 1857.
Assistant Surgeon John Byrne, medical de-
partment; to take effect October III, 1857
| LIE NAVAL COURTS OF INQUIRY-In Court
No. Commodore George C. Read was exam
ined to-day in behalf of 1t Palmer, whose case
is yet under consideration.
In Court No. the case of 1t. VIM. Chand-
| Ter was continued.
| NEW CUSTOM House AT PERTH Annoy. n
1.-The Secretary Of the Treasury has invited
proposals for a site for the new Custom House
at Perth Amboy, N. j., to be opened ON the
| 9th inst
| THB CURRENT OPERATIONS OF THE TREA
sURY DISCRIMINATION yesterday, April 18th,
there were Of Treasury warrants entered on
the books of the Department
Texas debt warrants. Se,5a6 y
| Eor the redemption OF stocks. SIS %
For the Treasury Department. Ass 26
| FOR the Interior Department. 142oO q
ror customs Observation-Disclosures. 39,2i6 -
| war warrants received and entered. 5i,45S "
Un account OF the Navy............. 23O,6S5 60
| rrom HlSceilaneous sources. 20 90