The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-05-10


people in a most outrageous way, and the
ton on its part to do any better The peo-
pie can apply the remedy next fall.
REWARDS AND PUNLSHMENTS IN
THE NAVY.
SECRETARY RoBEsoN, ever since he has been
at the head of the Navy Department, has
urged the necessity for making the naval
service popular with seamen. This it GER
tainly is not at present, as is apparent from
the fact that it is extremely difficult, if not
impossible, to procure competent men for
vessels that are now fitting out. The navy
offers numerous advantages over the mer-
chant service, and large number of the
better class of seamen would undoubtedly
prefer it, if something in the general con-
duct of the officers, and something especially
offensive in the discipline, did not
make them shun our national ships
Several cases of outrageous cruelty to
seamen that have been made public
lately furnish at least a partial KEY
to the difficulty, and there is good reason to
believe that, even when not cruel, commanders
are often unnecessarily arbitrary with their
men, and for no sufficient reasons deprive
them of many privileges that they ought to
enjoy. The efficiency of the navy depends
quite as much upon the enlisted men as upon
the officers and if it is expected that it shall
be prepared to meet any sudden call, trained
seamen must be encouraged to consider our
national men-of-war as their proper homes,
where they will be sure of good treatment if
they behave themselves, and where faithful
performance of duty on all occasions will be re-
cognized and rewarded by those in authority.
Some months ago Secretary Robson issued
circular calling attention to this matter, and
impressing its Importance upon the CON-
manding officers of the navy. He has now
prepared a plan for the classification of
offenses and punishments on board vessels of
the United States Navy, with directions as to
good conduct lists, badges discharges, liberty
on shore and liberty money, that has some
excellent features and that is at least worth
trial. The merit of this plan is that it gives
the navy a system by which definite induce
ment is held out for good conduct, and by
which the men can know exactly what to
expect in case they do their full duty, without
being dependent for reward upon the caprice
of their officers.
The plan of the Secretary is to divide the
crew of each vessel into four classes in the
order of good conduct. The first-class men
are to be allowed every opportunity for recre-
alton that may be compatible with the de-
mands of duty and the exigencies of foreign
service, and an appropriate distinction is to
be made between them and the rest of the
crew, but without its being SO marked as to
excite discomfort. One of the privileges Iof
this class is to go on shore very frequently
when in port, after the work and exercises are
ended, to return at 10 o'clock, but on special
occasions to have leave until later hour. They
are also to have liberty on shore for twenty
four hours twice month at the discretion of
the commander and the privilege of drawing
one-third of their monthly pay while in port
The second, third, and fourth class con-
duct men are to have these same privileges
in less degrees, according to their standing.
The requisite qualifications for frst-class
conduct men are strict attention to duty, i'm
plict and ready obedience to orders, sobriety,
alacrity, courageous conduct, neatness of
person and dress, quiet and respectful de-
meanor, and general usefulness. This classi-
fcation is to be irrespective of rating. At
the end of cruise frst-class conduct men
will receive good conduct badges before being
discharged; the badges to be presented by the
commander at special or general muster.
These good-conduct badges are to be worn by
the men at general muster and at all occa-
sions of ceremony.
The second-class conduct men are to re-
ceive good conduct discharges if they have
been but slightly behind the first-class re-
quirements, but they are not to receive
badges. A good-conduct badge is to be con-
sidered an advantage as a recommendation
in re-entering the service or in seeking other
employment.
In addition to the above, a classification of
punishments that may be inflicted by COM
manders of vessels, without resorting to sum-
mary or general courts-martial, has been
made. The punishments are solitary confne-
ment for from three to seven days on full ra-
tions or bread and water, without irons; con-
fnement from three to ten days in double
irons on full rations; confinement from three
to ten days in single irons, or without irons,
with full rations; confinement over night; re-
duction of rating; deprivation of liberty on
shore and extra duties.
The offenses are those usual violations of
discipline that require punishment and that
| do not demand a court-martial and by
| o,..a,, ,;Yo, fbana in this roapDa. ,r;1l,