The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-06-28
FIFTH EDITION
THE LATEST NEWS.
Secretary Robeson Formally Receives
His Under Officers-His Address
to Them-Some Prac-
tical Remarks.
FROM WASHINGTON.
The New Naval Secretary Forn,nIIv ReceIvos
His Under D0icers. A"~"''Os

The New Naval ,s Secretary s;r Formally Receives
Special Despatch to The Evening Telegraph
WAsHINeToN, June 2S.-At noon to-day the
officers OF the Navy now in this city were for
mally received at the Navy Department bv
Secretary Robson. The officers were in full
uniform and were severally introduced by Ad-
miral Porter
Secretary RObeson's Speech
After the ceremony of shaking hands had
been completed, the Secretary, addressing the
officers, said-I assure you, gentlemen, that il
is with feeling of the greatest interest as well
rs pleasure, that meet you to-day.
Though hitherto unacquainted with most of
you, l could not have been ignorant of the
names l have Just heard without at the same
time being ignorant of the history of my coun-
try. To have charge of the service of which
these are representatives may well fill the mea-
sure of any mans pride. Your country also is
proud of her navy, and she has reason to be So
The alonor of every country is in the hands of
her representative classes; and in your hands, at
home and abroad, in the past as in the present
the interests and the honor of your country
have always been safe.
In every domestic trial since our history began.
the navy, as a class has been true to the inter
Tity of the nation; while abroad, as her peculiar
representatives in the eyes of every people, her
honor has been sustained by your abilities, dig
nified by your character and illustrated by your
services In the presence of such q record the
future must be secure, and in it we all have our
parts to perform in various spheres and under
various circumstances. Let it be our pride, then.
in the future as in the past in peace as in war
in the cause of our country, her integrity,
and the free spirit of her Government and in
the great cause of progress and universal free
dom If tvtf oh 11,D IL
that the influence of the navy shall be felt for
good through all the channels of personal as
well as professional influence. A single word
further. The present Secretary of the Navy,
in common with all others appointed to that
position directly from civil life, will be found at
first to have but little accurate knowledge of the
business of the department. The details of its
professional duties lie cannot be expected to ac-
quire These are all, under the laws of Con-
gress, entrusted to competent professional ex-
perts, who perform their duties under strict
responsibility. But the principles upon which
the efficiency of the service depends, and the
general rules by which these principles are APP
piled, and the manner and effect of their appli-
cation to particular cases, these intend with
your assistance, to understand and to master
1t is not unlikely that mistakes will frequently
occur, and particularly at the first but know
ledge, / hope will soon come in aid of good
intentions.
All business should be transacted through the
appropriate bureaus. No favors which interfere
with the rights of others should be applied for,
and we trust none will be shown except that
favor which superior merit is entitled to receive
at the hands Of the Commonwealth. But any
complaints of general or special rules, or their
application to particular cases, will always be
heard by the Secretary, through the appropriate
channels, of course. But there will always re-
main an appeal to the Secretary in person. My
time, while Iremain in this Office, belongs to the
service and to the country.
shall be glad, on any subject of interest to
| the service, TO see any officer of any rank at
any time when not engaged in other business.
l desire to be your friend, gentlemen, and 1
trust you will be mine / shall endeavor to
study your real interests, which cannot but be
identical with the interests of the country.
No Changes.
When the officers of the navy had retired, the
clerks of the department were introduced by
Holmes E. Oeffley, Chief Clerk of the depart
ment. The Secretary said he had received such
high concentrations of the clerks from his
| predecessor, Mr.. Borie, that he would not make
| any changes.