New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-12-07

The best evidence OF their inability to command public
confidence. is that not ono OF them has been oar.
hope aud were received with favor It IL
clear therefore. that until we know the whole ground
that route is known the most thorough examination Of
tho ground will alone serve TO settle the question Of feast
by that question depends upon cost IL would
be matter OF lasting regret II the people aud Governments
OF the United states were anticipated In this
to that part Of the Ishmus of which still almost
wholly ignorant.
The Department preparing plan OF Immediate oper
atlons. under the appropriation heretofore made. by
which, It is hoped valuable results will DO obtained
during tie present season
The first report OF the officer in charge OF this subject
ADVISORY BOARD
At the last session OF Congress bill was passed through
House but acted upon In the other which nro-
yided for board OF experts to the action Of The
bureaus and to advise the Secretary regerd to the
MY attention has been directed TO the subject and am
OF opinion that system OF the kind proposed would
be OF great value for the Information Of the Secretary
matters purely professional and for the purpose Of har-
mOniZing and concentrating the work OF various bu
These, under the system Of independents action
formerly pursued were often antagOnstc their IDEAS
and not unfrequeny came into direct conflict with each
other.
The provisions OF the bill REFEREED to- with some gone
raj notifications as TO the composition OF Board ana
the OF It's appointment, would, think meet mo
wants of the Department on this subject
without the power OF interfering with the action OF the
Executive or his responsible representative.
RELATIVE RANK
The subject Of relative rank in the various corps Of the
naval service is one of much interest and some difficulty
Some Of these corps dissatisfied with their position
under the law II stands, but there no power in
the department to change this even should the pro ry
OF such action be admitted by all. Rank can Oby bo
fixed by law This subject involving at the same time 30
many considerations Of discipline efficiency. aud feeling
pressing for wise and dispassiOnae legislation
having in only the best interests the service
Board composed OF officers Of high rank ana long eY-
perence, representing equally the various personal ia
terets involved has been constituted by the departments
to consider and report some proper system for the egua
desire to express no opinion on the subectmaer their
consideration. Should they be able arrive proper
ba
municated to Congress for INSTRUMENTATION.
RETIRED OFFICERS.
Much injustice many distinguished officers on the
retired list done by the operation of
list as their respective grades active list are pro-
noted Many officers retired years account OF the
condition Of their health for the good OF the service,
now regularly promoted under this law, and take
rank with those who have gone on the st disabled by
those formerly retired by long service other times
Ronors of their profession; but is not so with all
Tie physical and mental condition Of officers
ders their promotion than folly IL has occurred.
that under the operation of the law referred to- Do
partment required TO send an appointment OF high
grade officer long ago retired as mdshipman, no
had rendered no service SINCE ana VINO, cOnnned as
driyeng idiot IN an asylum could neither value nor
derstand the document when contained the expression
It is hoped that this law viii be modified as to
leave discretion In the application OF Its PROVISIONS
NAVAL PENSION FUND.
The pension roll on the LIST Of November 1862 was as
l6li widows aud children, annually receiving. Ae6 u
Total 1855 persons, receiving total of..s JJU9 10
EXPENSES AND ESTIMATES.
The sum Of 81 sSO6j3 expended up 10 the LIST o.
December of which amount S,7l933 has been refunded
tS eHp last repoy Dee / 1865 s2cOs 2s5 The appro.
priatons the year ending the 3Oh OF june 1870
s5s7O53 co sum scarcely larger than that which
usually appropriated for the support OF the naval estab
lishmen previous to the war; when our navy com.
machnery was largely in USE and the great expense OF
fuel incurred when labor and materials far below
the present standard, and the hours of work one-hh
greater With the greatly increased demand for expendi
ture every field OF operation the actual returns ior
money now scarcely one-haf OF what they formerly
were
year controlled by the fact that some surplus then
remained the command OF the Department. and that
they did really represent the understood require
The estimates the fiscal year ending June 80 1871.
are based on force OF 1900 men tan Increase OF one
thir the very smallest With which the present navy
can be operated TO advantage, and are as follows
Estimates for lie fseh year ending jane 80. 1911.
10000 %
Reysrs 90 Of buildings, docks, Incidental expenses
Paw m Establishment: in Navy Yards hospitals Be- Ssi
CI bssD and 100000
Eavs4uOa nAs alton Sg2SS
Naval 65seasciy and Nautical
steam machinery, tools ,SlsN %
Feo hospitals and Iaboratoes
Surgeons ucesssres..' 5Lov0 "
CoatuseBt expenses. Ss -
Support VI Marine '''''"''' lNos4' q
The Chief Of the Bureau Of Construction and Repairs
estimates wants, and asks additional and
special appropriation to collect supplies Of timber TO be
SEASONED FOR future use The Chief of the Bureau Of
| Ordnance reports that on the recommendation OF
special Board deteorated cannon and ordnance storesa
Northern NayyYards have been and being sold. and
the proceeds deposited in the Treasury An estimate for
80 guns of l5-iuch caliber is submitted None other
| REQUIRED He calls attention to estimate for inter
depot and 10 the question OF additional magazines
from cities aud towns ana urges action at an cary
date The interests OF the country demand that every
new Improvement IN ordnance or war materials should
be carefully investigated ana, where SHOWN To DC Yaluh
be- speedily adopted Temporary structures for maya
and workshops have been erected on Goat Island
near Newport the torpedo corps and the asked
| for I'm connection Herewith is deemed necessary.
The chief OF the Bureau Of Navigation states that add
tona apparatus is needed for the Naval Observatory
and special estimate for this made and favorable action
asked In regard TO the Nautical Almanac It is sug
sed that amauacs OF least three years advance date
Should supplied TO vessels bound on long voyages and
progress 1t stated has been made to meet
For charts and sailing directions the Navy mainly
alton should made to enable the photographic Office,
as soon possible to do away with this necessity The
has already published valuable results from
views made by our own vessels, and should be enabled to
continue and perfect them Inc army code Oh sgnas
code having been adopted, department OF that chGac
ter has been established aud engaged In pereenS tins
The apprentice system regarded as having failed to
on,Dsh tbe object desired because boys are entered
with the idea OF becoming officers and after the number
allowed by law have been selected and admitted nt0 tho
Nnyai Academy the others become dissatisfied and use
80 The chiefs OF the Bureaus Of Navigation, and
Toupment and Recruiting harmonic In opinion tha tho
law in relation to apprentices aud minors should 10
The Chief OF tho Bureau OF Equipment ana Recruiting
acals the operatons the several yards in equppEg
vessels for sea under tile new rules now established Nes
eS are now taken hand rs soon as put out o commits
S,nn completely reitted and equipped aud II not re-
ouirsd for immediate properly stored THIS placee
romotes economy and efficiency Attention Is called 10
be Roston and Washington NavyGards, and certain i'm
nroyements in reference TO rOpewaks aud anchors arc
recommended The nsuicency or the law IN regard TO
Contracts for coal and other supplies suggested modi
caton OF the law is also suggested, regulating the mum
her of men the Navy allowing an excess when spccal
~ reaured The present law In regard to destrtions
should be amended that deserter may be @ppIe-