The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-09-07

Just Look nj the Figures.
The venerable THOMPSON has only recently
ISSUED his Navy Register for 1873. But it
must be remembered that since summer be-
ian the timo Of the Ancient Mariner has
been good deal taken up with his yachting
excursion in the Talapoosa, at the expense
OF the people. Anything like consecutive
literary work is almost impossible at sea,
especially when one has to look out for the
Enjoyment of half a hundred guests. More
over, dcadhcads are pretty sure to De the
most eXactng Of travellers, and the veneer
able THOMPSON was forced to eat cOllatiOus
Of all the navy yards he visited and, being
Cow to hs Office, needed to be told great
many things about the vessels he saw rot
ting there.
Though II comes late. the blue book is well
come, for it gives Us the present composition
OF the most prepostcrous navy in the world,
and the most expensive. The first Thought
that must strike the man who consults it's
voluminous pages Is that. whatever else our
navy may Lack however deficient it may be
In the matters OF ships and seamanshp, it
certainly beats the world in its proportion
Of officers TO men and vessels We find that
we now have the handsome complement Of
ifty-eight Admirals, drawing pay ranging
from $1,000 to $4,000 a year. OF these, how
Ever, only thirteen are on the active list. the
remainder doing nothing whatever for their
wages, and Of the thirteen only five are at
sea. The rest. with one exception are doing
fancy duty mt Washington or sitting on
boards Of examiners which usually put In
few days labor every month.
1t is a little startling to discover that we
have more Admrals than Commodore. but
yet OF the latter we support the not inslg-
nincant total of 80 % on the active list and
Is on the retired lsi-drawng pay ranging
from $1,000 to 5000 year. The % retired,
Of course do nothing except growl over the
ingrattudc of republics, and Of the % on
the active list not ore is at sea. They are
all. with single exception, and he has
soft place at Annapolis, willing away their
time at navy yards and naval stations the
sleepicst Of humhugs; or pretending 10 do
special duty-Which usually means travel
ling around ut the peoples expense II not
thus engaged they may be found performing
bureau scNicc-that is rolling and unroll-
ing red tape or are of enjoying themselves
on leave Of absence. The 81 Conmodorns,
In fact, are having n good time Of it, and
suffer from no lack Of money.
Next are tine Captains. OF those also We
have great supply. for II has alway- been
the aim Of the Military RING To keep tho
higher and more richly paid grades we'll
filled up. There are Go Captains in all, "
whom so are on the active list. They draw
pay ranging between S2SoD and $500
year only 10 of the Captains on the
active list arc required to command ships
ut ann la, al rft chi
anchored at wharye- In navy yards, doing
bureau duty at Washington, loailng away
their time on supcriluous boards, hanging
around torpedo stations, or travelling at
home or abroad on long leaves Of absence.
The Captains, too, seem to be having an
enviable time, but they do not neglect to
draw their pay with great regularity.
We have l02 COMMANDERS ~ Of whom are
on the active list, aud 10 on the retired list.
or the So, only - are commanding ships.
One of those Is receiving ship, and an
other school-hip. The rest are strollug
about navy yards. studying torpedo science
that IS, nuuri-hng at Newport hops and
archery PARTIES lying on the sofas in
bureau Offices; doing inspecting or fancy
duty of some sort or playing the part II
men of leisure on leave Of absentee The
Commanders also, it appears, ina-much us
they have pay running from $4,000 to @3,j0O
year, and have next to nothing to do, cai-
not be said to be having a very bad time Of IL.
OF the next grade, Licutcnant-Command
ers, we are blessed with 90, all of whom, cx-
cept IS, are on the active list, 50 called.
Thrty-siX Of these arc on some sort Of sea
duty, large or small, and the rest are keep
ing their superior officers company in mag
nifying thcruIlico, or In dancing attendance
on the ladio. at the watering places mean
while drawing pay Of from $4,000 to $4,000
year.
Coming down to Lioulouauts we find that
the Ancient Mariner commands the great
number Of 2ol ON the active list, and 6 ON
the retired list. 'rhcy arc paid salaries
ranging between $1,000 and s2GO0 n year
very good wages for young fellows who
have 50 little Ia do. 1t is we'll understood
that no navy Lieutenant hurts himself with
work. though somo Of them do with play;
and the rule with the grade, rs with all the
other grades, is 10 put n the shortest pos
slblr days labor and regularly collect their
pay.
Ihorc are 100 Masters on tho active list -
dnpprr young fellows who dance very pref
lily and II on the retired list. They are
poidfrom 81 ,2o0to $4,000 year, and emulate
their Supporters. oar naval lneigns ON the
active list number SO, and on the retired list,
!. Their pay Is FROM $500 10 $l.ln1, aud is
more than thoY are WORTH or Mdshlpmcu
graduated from the Narul Academy, spruce
looking boys, with bad habit OF profanity,
but great skill at Waiting, we have II ON
the active lat and on the retired list.