The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1877-03-30
Changes in Naval Regulations.

The new ''blue book" or legula-
tons of the navy, which was compiled
last summer by 4 board of naval
officers detailed for that purpose, has
Just been issued For the most part
it meets with the general approval OF
the officers of the navy. Among the
most important changes is that in re-
gard to accommodations on vessels.
The state-rooms opening into the ward
room will hereafter be occupied by
the officers according to rank. The
Cline beginning with the executive
officers, will occupy those on the star
board side, and the staff officers will
take precedence in the Oh ice Of rooms
on the port side according to rank.
The next change Of importance is in
the rule covering promotion. II has
been the custom heretofore to promote
some officers, particularly the passed
assistant surgeons, TO the rank Of sur
geon without going through an eX-
animation. This has been disap-
proved, and will be governed here
after by the regulation which provides
that call officers Of both the line and
staff corps Of the navy to be eligible
for promotion are required TO pass a
physical examination, and subse-
quentlv, before the board Of examiners,
such professional examination "a the
navy department may from time tC
time direct, together with an examina-
ton Of their record Of service and the
testimonials received from the heads
of their respective departments ana
from their commanding officers.
There is a strong feeling among the
officers TO advise a general revision of
the law covering promotion. 1t will
be advised that III the lower grades
promotion, and in the higher grades,
such rs admiral, commodore and cap
tain, by selection.
4 regulation which meets with gene
raj disapprobation is that which pro.
hibits card playing in the steerage or
ward-room of any vessel in the navy,
but does not say whether or not it will
be permitted in the cabin. The reg
ulation relative to smoking is COM
planned as ridiculous, as it prescribes
that d" smoking will not be permitted
in the ward-Toom, steerage, cockpit,
quarterback, and when not offensive
to the officers were allowed to smoke
in the ward-room after evening
quarters" They will not be forced to
take up their smoking quarters under
the forecastle, where the sailors con-
gregate, or in the gangway forward of
the mainmast. Families of officers or
of Others are not to be allowed TO re-
side on board of national vessels, nor
to become passengers unless by the
written permission of the secretary of
the navy. All officers messes and
caterers chosen by the mess will have
charge of the general conduct and
order of the mess but the aid or exe>
cutive officer, who is charged with the
police of the vessel, has power to in
terfere to prevent disorder or unre-
strained breaches of decorum. An
evidence Of good taste is tendency to
simplify the uniform, and it is thought
that i'll a short time the sheulder,straps
and a superiority of gold braid will be
dispensed with. The sack coat there
fore authorized by the regulations
will cease to be worn as uniform, and
a service coat is substituted, which is
to be of dark>blue cloth, standing col>
lar, single>breasted, with a "fy"
front, and always to be worn buttoned
to the neck.