The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-01-14


Qressional action was taken, nor was any
board of officers convened in the leases
already acted on by the administration.
Such board at this day would create discon-
tent, and afford an opportunity for master
spirit to exercise partiality and form clique
devoted to his personal interests, If so IN
clined.
/ am aware of but two cases which have
been ''acted on by this administration. That
you may have the full benefit of the action
in these cases, / shall give you the facts OF
each, as they have been made exceptional.
Captain L. II. Stevens had fair war re-
cord, although his efficiency may have been
sometimes impaired by his habits, fact
which had its influence with the Board Of Ad-
mirals and with the department also when
the promotions were under consideration. He
was registered No. "a on the grade OF COM
manders when the Board Of Admirals was
convened, and they recommended not only
that he should not be advanced, but that he
should be put back one number on the list,
and be registered No. 25. But /, instead of
reducing him in rank below "a, was enabled
by the act Of 1866 to advance him to 10. He
was one who considered himself 'unjustly
treated, and he applied to Congress for re-
dress. His case was referred to the Naval
Committee, who examined the subject and
reported against him. Congress concurred in
that report Last spring the President, not
withstanding the proceedings of the Board of
Admirals, the action of the Navy Department.
the adverse report of the Naval Committee
and of Congress, promoted him to higher
position on the list of captains
The other and the only other officer who
has been taken from the position assigned
him and in like manner promoted Is Captain
Thomas III. Patterson, brother-in-law of
Vice-Admiral Porter.
Captain Patterson was No. % on the register
as commander. He had no battle record, and
the Board of Admirals recommended that he
should be reduced to rank No. 2S. L ad-
vanced him to No. II. These two officers
were last spring taken from their position on
the register and promoted simultaneously
over eighteen captains, most of them exem-
plary, efficient, and gallant officers, with an
honorable record for heroic service. 1 am
aware of no reason why exceptions should
have been made in favor of these two officers.
They constitute, believe, the whole of what
you call "some of the cases" which 'have
been already acted on by the administration.
This letter has been drawn from me in con-
sequence of an application from the depart
ment for information, and of the use which
has been made of my reply. had not pro-
posed, nor do l now propose, to comment on
the numerous errors which pervade your
report, obviously intended, in many in
stances, to reflect on the previous admins
tration of the department. Some of your
statements are, however, as open to criticism
and quite as exceptionable as the paragraph
in relation to the advancement of officers.
Without any general review, duty to myself
requires, perhaps, that l should, when
writing you, advert to one or two points.
Among the subjects which you make promi-
nent is the amount of work which has
been accomplished in repairing vessels,
changing their character and giving them
ship rig, and the great economy resulting
therefrom, as compared with what you call the
"old system" You fail to state, however, the
amount of money which has been and is being
expended to effect these changes. We both
know it exceeds by millions the appropria-
tions made by Congress for repairs; and on
this question of expending money when Con-
| gress has refused to make appropriations we
have differed. Congress was informed by me
| of the condition of our yards and vessels,
| and that repairs were needed; but refused to
| appropriate the funds for these repairs.
would not, after this refusal, invade the
| Treasury, in defiance of the Legislative branch
of the Government, and take unappropriated
funds. The repairs and refitments of vessels
! were consequently limited to the few ships re-
| quired to maintain the squadrons in force
| Congress was advised of this fact and /, in
my annual report, in December, 1868, stated
| To preserve and protect the vessels and other
| property at our navy wards is o duty prompted
! ~ economy and dictated by d proper regard for
| the public interest. Work should not be wholly
| suspended on the ships which have been com
menced and are yet unfinished, but they should
| be completed and gradually launched and
! brought into service as they may be wanted If
| properly protected they can remain on the stocks
for years without injury after the hulls are
| finished. Each vessel, when she returns from q
| cruise, should be at once repaired and placed in
an efficient condition. Hulls and engines, after
| long service in different climates become worn
| and injured, and, If neglected, will rapidly
| decay. 1t cannot be true economy to withhold
| appropriations essential for full and thorough
! repairs, for completing improvements which have
| been commenced, and for protecting and afford
ing facilities necessary to the good order proper
| condition and efficiency of the navy yards and
| navy establishments. In some respects the
| public interest has been made to suffer from
neglect or refusal to make sufficient appropria-
tons for the purposes herein indicated, and it is
| earnestly recommended that such omission be
| hereafter avoided.
| 1 had, three years ago, seen the disposition
to curtail naval estimates and appropriations
without discrimination, and, to prevent in
| jury to the public service in consequence of
withholding the means necessary for needful
repairs, l, on the 14th February, 1868, ad-
dressed special communication to the Naval
Committee, urging, while reduction might be
made in some appropriations, that "appropria-
with the estimates furnished" and closed my
statement with the following remarks:-
have deemed it my duty to call your atten-
| ton, as chairman of the Committee on Naval
| Affairs, to the impolicy of impairing and Grip
pling the public service, as proposed in the bill
| reported by the appropriation committee The
department has no personal ends TO serve in