New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-07-15
NAVAL OFFICERS BAD RECORD.
THE NAVAL COMMITTEE REFUSE TO RESTORE JOHN

y. QUACKHNBUSH TO THE REGISTER.
Washington July II (spcciaD.-The House Naval
Committees report in the case OF ex-Commander John
~ Ouac kenbush, who sought TO be restored to the
Navy upon the decision OF the Supreme Court that
the proceedings of the court martial which resulted
I'm his dismissal from the service for drunkenness
were irregular gives general satisfaction TO the Navy
officers who desire the personnel OF the service
elevated. The report reads
The fact that the President nominated Lieutenant
Commanicr Schley on tho 10th of june 1874, TO
take the place OF John n. 0uackenbush' whom he
mentions as having been dismissed, IS satisfactory
evidence that President and Secretary Robson
were mistaken in their recollection OF The facts when
dismissal Of ouackenbnsh was mitgatcd June g.,
1874 1t is respectfully submitted to The House ina,
ecitcd fully and completely dismissed from the Naval
of eS power o
mitigate his sentence or to restore hlm 10 'hc HaS =.
restore said Quackenbush to the active list put aiter
allowing him pay for the time his name has Dcon
pacei on the retired list as commander with inc
ipsy of such an officer Your committee respectfully
submlt that IL would be manifestly unjust 10 pace
said Ouac kenbush on the footing with the many
worthy and honorable officers who by long' con
deservedly earned the care and protection which ono
he rerr,i list TO pass the bill would be, in effect
to pension John y ouackcnbush not for honorable
sscandalous conduct tending to the destruction OF
good morsls' of which charges he was found gnly
here adopt as part of their report the petition OF
oG6 officers of all grades OF the Navy 1our commit
fee report back the bill and recommend that IL 40
not pass. -,,..
The bill proposed a magnificent, generous donation
Of eight years Of pay for no equivalent ser
vice performed and place the retired list with
nav for life an officer who had been dismissed from
Tho scrvice moro than once for misconduct. The
Official record shows that he was appointed mid
shipman on September %, 1847, and was dismissed
January g. 1854. for "intoxication and conduct uh.
becoming an officer and gentleman lie renamed
OH, of the service until July 16, 1862 when he was
anpoInted lieutenant in the Volunteer Navy anu
was afterward commissioned Lieutenant commander
IN the Regular Navy TO date back 10 his appointment
I'm tho volunteer service. SIX years later he was IT,
ported by an official examining board as " FOL guam
fed for promotion but instead OF being dismissed nc
was mt on the retired list. lie was aftcrward re-
s,oyed IN the active list by act Of Congress, re-
covered the difference between retired ana acNe pay
On February IL. 1874. no was court -Inartialed ior
drunkenness, and upon the findings OF lhe couIf wa,
afierward found technical breaches OF law IN
the OF se fo TO SaVs b restored to the
service.
AUTHORIZATIONS FOR NETWORK HARBORS.
washington. July 14.-Captan r. A. Mshan, Corps
nj Engineers his annual report says In regard 10 inc
Improvement OF Dnkirk IIarbor, ~ f that II IS pro-
nosea 10 rebuild the existing breach in the west pier
and 70 rebuild as much Of the pier as may DO necessary
and 10 begin rebuilding the breakwaer. The sum OF
500 600 IS asked for next year, and 10000 is the
estimate for completing th> project. The proposed
operatons for the improvement OF the haIbor OF
Buffalo Will be confined to continuing the roconstru'-
tlon OF the superstructuro Of the breakwacr. The
work 10 be done IS the IT was last year except
that instead OF the repairs having covered last season
a length of $50 feet they only 40, OF which
600 are nat wholly finished. This leaves l,46O feet
~ the breawater on which the supersructure must DC
rebuilt before anything else is done. Captain hahah
saws that 1880 $50 Will be required for the next hscai
wear of which S473 600 is for reconstruction 100000
for minor reIairs and sI30,030 for extending inc
breakwatcr 1t is estimated that It VIII cost sl'ii''
200 10 complete the existing project The sum OF
400 ooo ts asked for work in Wilson Hartor, y. y,
next year. to be devoted TO the reconstruction OF part
Of the west pier.
Captain Mahan says thht he can complete the I'M
proysment of Olcott Harbor, n. Y. with 100000 ana