The New York herald., 1878-12-01
NAVAL GOLD LACE.

AMERICAN UNIFORMS TO BE MODELLED on
FOREIGN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. TAILoRs OK
DEcK-oBJEcTIoNABLE INNOVATIONS IN OFF,
cIAL DRESS PROPOSED.
1t has been rumored in naval circles for several
weeks that change in the uniform of officers of the
navy contemplated but nothing definite could
be learned that such change to be made no in
terest attached to the rumor. About a
week ago officer in Washington learned
that a new uniform circular was in print and
about to be promulgated, and upon making
further inquiry it learned that the circular
advised by three officers without the cognizance
OF any other officers of the service. The proposed
changes absolutely Objectionable to the officers,
and much in accord with the English style, which
is objectionable to English officers. The officers OF
the navy feel indignant that the uniform as At
present thoroughly American in its simplicity
and style. distinct in itself and well known all
the world. should be changed to uniform
neither American nor English. but more the latter
than anything. that they have resolved to make de-
tcrmined protest against amy change for the above
and several other =
Navy DEPARTMENT
s.rv,.. w4smihaI;DS N9y aa H. is.s
frock win instead eighteen but.
tons ON The bresstaseyen % t. n each row -, ~.
with navy buttons frsas aud Of navy
Be o dark blue pS
cloth double nroas'cd turned down collar collar
two rows Of large na,vy satt.ns ON the breast
Al hip ending hense below he
knee with one baton behind each hip and near The
hut sufficiently close enable the sword to be
cbliansy CUFFS to be closed and plain ON each end .,
Tue collar "f the oyceoat the same devices OF rank ana
corps shall be worn respectively rs authorized for sack
the same as the base quarters not less than one inch and
s Il %s ron 0fs % ,.u Ih ans and t. be no.
than one-half nor more than QUE inch wide a.
@ s sasi %s q sp dc .hs sss side de X s he vi
ss at II s 1 ws wi, e ws ii "sn !"
Of inch from the base OF the The II front
according to size, chin strap \. vide
s sor y @ ns % sson so M eass
slightly downward and lined the un leside with green
M AND % IN he front less a" "a inches nor more than
n S "na G al . q G
and oak leaves IN gold Captains commanders and stan
The front edss only aso Of oak leaves and acorn, IL gold
aors s'" 70 be- Of Blue cloth bound with patent eatsr
vizors not embroidered TO be Of patent leather with chin
'front.' Of The cap Tor all otees shall Consist of gold
@ perchsa on IL % shank ami" Of II
goid blue cloth, raised ground.
discretion Of The senior officer present During rainy
cap cads, mdshpms1 and cadet engineers Wiil
10 wear the uniform cap now IN
shoulder srapsShoulder for all officers of the
and the distinguishing coorcd cloth by stan
hereby abolished Ensigns ni,lshipmen
staff officers o those grades will full dress only
the shoulder loops prescribed.
X. W. THOMPSON, Secretary Of the Navy
THE HARDSHIP OF THE MEASURE
The first paragraph changing from nine buttons
to seven in each side of the 'front.' not
only renders the purchase of a coat ncces-
sary because OF the snperuous buttonhoes involving
expense of $40 S75 but is entirely unmilitary
No objection is made tn the change i'll the vest OF
overcoat except that it does away with the cape.
There is change in the shape of the cap and the
visor being entirely English in its style, the
sopin2 peak being neither military pleasant
in STYLE The gold cord around the front Of the
cap to be abolished plain leather strap taking its
place and the present cap device of an eagle sur
mounting shield, which is both plain and unique Is
to be replaced by tEngsh) gold laurel wreath
closing silver eagle perched upon foul anchor.
The proposed embroidery on the cap il new in the
service and entirely English. The abolition Of
shoulder straps will make the coat look bare and
the officers to more resemble police force
than military branch of the public service.
This applies to both the active and retired officers
The former get barely enough now to keep up re-
spectacle appearance and the latter disabled i'll the
service get barely sufficient to buy the conmonest
clothes. And yet the officers must provide them
selves with these changes immediately on the pro
mitigation OF this order. petition with moro than
hundred signatures has been forwarded to Secretary
Thompson from this station asking that the order be
r. scnded Similar petitions have been sent from
League Island Boston and other naval stations claim
ing that there IL need of any change.