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WRITINGS OF 5.U[ HOUSTON, 1857
The honorable chairman forgot one important point. At the last session, when the action of the naval board was under con- sideration, he alleged that it was necessary that an increase of captains should take place. Why? Because there were not cap- tains enough to supply the different places in the Navy, and men of inferior grade had to go forward and take command, being detailed by the Department for that purpose. This was the allega- tion then. Now, however, we find that, notwithstanding our present redundancy of captains, a commander was sent to the frigate Independence to supply the place of a captain. Double details it seems are made, for the purpose of increasing the pay of officers. To discharge the duties now twelve captains are necessary, where six formerly were employed, and by detailing them in that way get additional pay for their rank. I wish to have all these facts presented to us, so that we may see whether it is necessary still further to increase the captains in the Navy, to give to that arm of the public service that efficiency which is necessary. All the information I have asked for will go to vindicate those who have acted well, and to expose delin- quencies. It is unprecedented since the formation of the Navy, that two captains have been sent home for conduct unbecoming officers or unworthy of their command. One captain, at a former period, was sent back in 1824, but previous to that none had been. Subsequently, and until the present time, since the retirements by the action of the naval board, no such occurrence had taken place. Moreover, sir, the causes of the desertions referred to in the resolution should be known. Changes have taken place in the discipline of the Navy within a few years. Some branches of discipline have been dispensed with. Have the changes adopted been officially or detrimentally operated to the discipline of the Navy? These are important questions, and should be answered. It is important to know the cause of desertions, that Congress may, by legislation, remedy the evil, if it be remediable. Has there been an instance since the formation of this Government in which, in the space of two months, from a single vessel no less than over one hundred and sixty desertions have taken place? There has not been. These desertions have taken place from a vessel under the command of an officer who constituted a part of the naval retiring board; and he surely must possess intelligence sufficient to enlighten Congress in regard to the Navy, and to tell them what has produced the evil of desertion that renders our Navy almost useless. With this precedent unrebuked-with the reasons
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