New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-03-01
ASSOCJtTJON,

We have heard rumorS from time to time Of
secret league of the Line Officers OF the
Navy, Organized with special reference to the
preservation of the American aristocncy OF
huilons, and the defeat of the nefariOuS efforts
Of surgeons paymastcrs, and other low-born
persons to secure recognition as gentlemen.
We have now before rs copy of the printed
"Constisution and Bylaws of this society,
whose very existence is a secret to The outside
world. The Navy is not mentioned in the
pamphlet. Da-hes supply the place Of words
which ii ia safer to leave unWritcn; but the
naval emblem on the title pare and the gone
raj drift of the text make it easy 10 I'LL the
bllnl,s. The Preamble reads Is follows:
We the - Of the ---. whose names are hcrrunto an
ncxed do >olemnly unite ga the establishment of per
mlucnt and perpetual organization. and to this end We
pledge our honor as and gentlemen. to DO governed
by the following Constitution and By Laws.
The organization " shall be known ~ the -
" Association.r Its objects shall be " to watch
cover aud protect the Interests Of ---; to
improve tine discipline of the - by cult
waiting esprit de corps and strengthening the
"tics of fratcrnal fellowship and sympathy
which should prominently exist between
companions in arms; to advance by all proper
The government of the league is in the hands
Of % council, whose principal members must all
reside or be stationed aC or near the City OF
"Wa,hington." There are elaborate provisions
TO restrict membership TO the elect OF the
line. and TO facilitate expulsion for OlcnScs
against the spirit or rules Of The As
ISOLATION. One Of these oilenses is defined
to be failure to support the Council OF
" the Association in measures which may have
''brcn determined on by the constitutional
"maority of the members in the United
States Another, and specially grave
ollrnSe, is for any member to take adyan-
3" tage of his position lin the Association 10
" act in such wise to initiate against the
discipline of the i Navy p in regard to the
respect and Difference due 10 superior rank
4" in the - lime ~ The funds of the society,
derived from initiation fees and annual dues,
are to be expended under the direction OF the
Council for the promotion of the interests of
the league; and if more money is needed than
the treasury contains, an assessment may be
laid upon all the members. The Council has
regular means Of communicating with branches
ut the different naval stations and elicting
expressions of Opinion but after it has adopted
any course of action the members are ex-
pected to give it a hearty support; it shall
"be considered IA the mOuthpicce and central
power of this organization, and it shall be
&" the duty of the members of the AssOcia-
" ton -. to cooperate in every way with it,
As this il neither IA social club, nor beneyO-
lent society. nor mutual insurance scheme,
we do not see what it exists for, nor why it
wants money, nor what need it has for Sc
cret aud overriding council at Washington,
unless it is just what it is said to be,-a league
Of the line officers for ollcnSe and defense
against their brethren of the staff, and for
fostering a mischcyOuS pride of caste and gold
lace. Such things are both dangerous and
absurd in American officers, and if the truth
about 1.-THE - Association had been known
before, we do not believe it's members would
have succeeded so long in defeating the desire
of the country to see justice restored in the
Navy, and the efficiency and harmony of the
service rcIstablshcd.