The New York herald., 1862-12-07

ports suggested to Congress that the Executive shoad
have authority IN form of law IN fact, TO select cand
dates Tor unfepresented districts well as for districts
whose representatives shonld have made no selection
When, therefore, the period approached for the
fofMs ot the Class Of the present year. and there
rsmais Cd a large number OF vacancies unsupped ~
was colcluded 70 hu up the Academy by appoint
msnts r,r : me Of tho vacancies created BY the re
bei,n Such u course OF action, plainly demanded
By exgcncics OF the public service, appeared 70
be in accore,nce with the policy aud spirit OF the
&C, July 10, 1857, though some OF the provisions u
that act passed appear 70 be Expressed iuapt
terms and to be- indeed, 10 some extent confused
contradictory.
The nu5nber of midshipnen authorized by law is 5I5
the nusber the Academy is s16 leaving l3o
cances and it is proposed unless Congress shall other
wise direct form second class at tho hsG yearly
February by appointments 10 az. tho existing
vacLces the representatives having an opportunity to
select candidates their respective districts, tho
places belonging To which have been made vacant Dur
Ing the disturbed and unsettled condton Of the school
aud the country have been under the necessity O de-
failing and ordering active duty come oil the officers
connected with the institution, and for tho time bong
have selected civilians Instructors assistant pro
fessors
Under the extreme pressure for trained and educated
officers the midshpmen Of the two highest cissss
were last detached from the school and ordered into
active advanced classes have boeu formed
which striving with comnendable zeal " complete
ther studies year within the prescribed period In
structon practical seamanshp Continued during the
whole academic year The mdshpmen are all organized
in Two ships companies each having his station az
signed him IN all movements. In addition, they are
Adams and Marion.
i earnestly commend the Naval Academy TO the foster
ing Of Congress and reitcrae my sense OF It's ina
pOftance the efficiency Of the Its cost,
even upon liberal scale OF expenditure would be nsig
nitcant compared with its usefulness wheh properly
managed Ns#4E sfE
Persistent and systematic eors TO evade the blockade,
and coRysy articles contraband OF to the insur
gents have led to May captures At the date Of my last
nua communication one hundred and fifty three vessels
reported to have been seized by the blockadng
reported TO the department three hundred and ninety
vessels OF all descriptions making total Of ivc hundred
aud forty three vessels that havo been seized since tho
blockade has been instituted Some Of the vessels cap
tured, which rail and not calculated for vcy
age, werc destroyed but most 6f them. including num-
berof valuable steamers, havo becn ssnt IN for adjudi
tiOn.
in przc cases were aade during the last sesson q Con
gress but further legislation would 70 be necessary
TO facilitate the adjustment Of those cases and insure the
prompt distribution Of prize money.
OF the large number OF vessels sent in for adjudication,
only forty FIVE have the proceedings brought
close, and while several millions Of dollars in amount
have captured and prooess Of condemnatian
the amount yot ordered 70 be distributed 10 bue
S554l76 81 or this sum t3'e, ,bot 65 is under dccrecs q
In submitting his annual report The colcnet command
ant oil tho marine statcs that the corps now six hun
drsd short Of tho complement. exhibited by tho
gene al return, while IN bis opinion an increase OF hive
hundred men, with proportcnate number Of officers,
Is required.
There has always been divided opinion among naval
officers in regard to maintaining distinct organizations Of
for service ships before the grcat
change which the has undergone by the ntroduO
with their corps Of engineers hremen
and attendants An ncongruy attaches TO the system,
for the partly under the army laws and regu
tions and partly under the naval c0Ae On shore they
paid by marine paymaster. on shipbosrd by
paymaster They arc subsisted on tho army ration
shore while Shipboard thcy have the navy ration
Consequently tho condition Of tho marines vary from
shore 70 ship ship to sh0ro they may be employed
II would be better were the corps 70 be permanently
attached TO either the naval or army service instead
occupying equivocal attitude as regards both.
The discipline and proficiency Of the corps arc reported
10 be satisfactory.
It respectfully submitted that IL is due to The corps
rom its nutnbsrs and position that the commander
should be made brgadier general, aud thereby have
rank corresponding with like commands
ExpLoYEs IN NAVY YARDS.
Tho number Of persons employed board OF naval
vessels including receiving ships and recruits Is about
Is OO0 and there not es than IL 900 and
aborers employed al tho different navy yards and naval
stations.
il would DO difficult to state tn, numbers employed as
private yards and establishments g0vorninout work
and under contracts with tho departments
ExfENSRs nTiNATxs.
~1J appropriations made At the regular and spcoiaa
1869, were s43 Ss55I II The expenses Of the depart
ment during tho time 142 200 ,52o 004eaving
unexpended balance OF 81 ,4l5O OIL 81 The amouns
expended includes the payment for the construction u
fifty steamers he purchase alterations and arma
Of hundred and seventy0vo steamers ard sai
ing vessels. all tho charter money paid by tho depart
mcnt, together with all the increased expenses ncdeot
tho enlarged navy. Tho appropriated for the
current fiscal year lending June 30, 1861 y
81, sla359 OF. Tie estimates submitted for tho fiscal
ending June 30, 1884, amount 70 $6S 257 2S5 Of,
Navy proper t6S O96, ,ZW
Marine corfS.. ........................ l24S,alJ
Navy yards Observation-Disclosures. i604,l23
Hospitals. 6I,4U
Magazines ................'....'.. SS,o15
h'sceiiAheous.. ivz,sle