New-York tribune., 1878-03-22
NAVAL BILLS BEFORE CONGRESS.
ANXIETY OF NAVAL OFFICERS AS TO EXPECTED
LEGISLATION

LEGISLATION.
Naval officers are anxious as to the dlspO-
sOn OF the several bills pending In Congress rotating
to the Navy prominent naval officer stated yester-
day that the agitation Of navy questions at every ses'
sion of Congress kept the officers In state OF
uncertainty and dissatisfaction. Many Congress
men, IN their assertions that the officers re-
ceived too mucn pay, did not consider the incl
dental expenses for uniforms entertainment OF foreign
and home officials bills etc. which the oHcers hau
to pay from their pockets. There are AZ least
seven different bills" he continued 90 in Congress re-
lating to the Navy. Representative wllliss bill re-
yiscs the number OF officers to be allowed In
the Navy, and legislates the seventeen naval
and assistant naval out Of the service The
Of admira!s masters medical directors inedca
INSPECTORS pay-drectors and paynspectors chapains
and boat ,wans are to remain the same as now Inc
number OF ccmmodores decreased three; captains
decreased eight. commanders decreased fourteen; lieu
tcuaut-counnnicrs increased twenty-six; eutenants
decreased sixtyive; ensigns increased eighty; sur
seons increased six; passed assistant surgeons IN
creased sixteen; assistant surgeons increased twenty
six passed assistant paymasters decreased tWo ASSIST
ant paymasters decreased four; chief engineers ana
passcd assistant engineers each decreased one
Naval officers are to have equal pay with those
Of same rank in the Army, Including enouuWSntts Wt
when n sea- hut shOrc-duty or on leave. MIN
allowances IL reduces the pay of all officers below e
tenant commanders. Retired line-ofeers WHO have ave
seen twenty years scaservce, and retired stan Officers
who have fourteen years seaservice are 10 We
IL per cent of the highest pay Of their grade; all cfs
on Tho retired list 80 cent OF Tue n'ghest
nav of their grade ID also repcals all laws aowng a
officer to furoughed other than by sentence Oh court
marital at his request. with tue exception oi
the clause about retired which makes no exception
in regard those disabled in line OF duty Mr. "iss
bill meets with general approval" - =,
Next is the bill Of Senator Eaton" the officer said,
which recommends the employ mont of retired officers
Of the Army and Navy In the Indian ana Pension bi-
reau Drlumatic Service IfeSaVing service Inspection
OF steamboats,, Should ~ pass II would Dcncnt t
officers IA well the Government; the latter Woui
save n large amount OF money, and employment wou,
he given 10 officers the retired list who desired II, ana
few men are better qualified than they 10 per-
form The duties specified. The bill of Represent
atiyc C,iitcndcn makes sweeping reduction III itc
usy of uaVal officers. There IL one vital mistake.
Assistant surg, oIs, assistant paynasers ana ASSISTANT
c.Eincers will receive more pay, II the bil passes thah
o1er- OF the higher grade IL also proposes 10
abCiis he grades Of medical and directors. medical
6u nay INSPECTORS, assistant naval contractors ana
civil engineers. All volunteer officers, incGinS several
assistant and passed assistant surgeons are 10 DC dls
charged july next Senator sarCent's bill, proposing
60 tfanser the present LieSaving Service from the
Treasury 10 the Navy Department., aud to or
glulze n IifeSa wing and Coasi-Ciuard Service, Is
Spoken OF favOrab!y by NEST naval Officers
Inc Maritime. ShilOwncrs, and the ship Masters
Associations, the Chamber OF Commerce and thc fll0t
Commissioners have presented resolutions 10 ,on.f,rs IN
favor of thc bill Another b which meets the approval
introduced by Cougressman WhitthCc. 10 authorize ne
anpoin mcn after satisfactory examination. oi apnhe-
carries as waIrani-oiccrs IN the Navy. Another nil pro-
poses 10 make m1ser-matrs warrant instead OK APP
iontcI officers Another bill proposes 10 make the pay
~ "A instead SI3'as now.