Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1879-05-31
BOYS FOR THE NAVY.
Department Circular in Regard to Their
EnIistment-Objec OF the Wachusetps
Mississippi Voyage.

Department Circular in Regard to Their
EnIistment-Objec OF the Wachusett's
Mississippi Voyage.
WASHINGTON, May 22.-The follow.
ing circular has been prepared by Com.
Earl English, Chief of the Bureau OF Equip
ment and Recruiting, under instructions
from Secretary Thompson, and will be issu-
ed in day or two:
The circular of April 8, 1875, relating to the
enlistment of boys IN the United States naval
cordance with the amendments to the Re-
vised Statutes of the United States, approved
SEC. 1,4lS. Boys between the ages of Is and
Is years may be enlisted to serve in the Navy
until they shall arrive at the age OF 2l years,
etc.
SEC. l4l9. Minors between the ages of Is
and Is years shall not be enlisted for the ma
val service without the consent of their par
SEC. i,42I No minor under the age of Is
years, no insane or intoxicated person, and
no deserter from the naval or military service
of the United states shall be enlisted In the
naval service.
These boys will be sent on board of suitable
vessels to be trained for the naval service
under the following regulations. Every boy,
previous to being enlisted, must satisfy the
Examining Board of officers:
First-rhat he Is of robust frame, intelligent,
of perfectly sound and healthy constitution,
free from any physical defects or malforma-
ton and not subject to fits.
Second-That he is able to read and write.
| In special cases, where a boy shows a general
Intelligence and is otherwise qualified, the
Examining Board, If they think mt, may enlist
him Notwithstanding his knowledge OF read
and writing is imperfect.
tird-That his height and measure are
cient being for boy of Is years of age,
feet one inch, without shoes, and 30 inch
round the chest. Boys, however, who do
quite reach this standard of height and
sur ment may be enlisted by special or
of the Navy Department If in all other re-
ngress having passed a law authorizing
Enlistment OF 100 boys in the Navy annu-
the Department contemplates sending
IN OF war up the Mississippi River for the
\ pnf bose of affording an opportunity for boys
| In the Western section OF the country to en-
! list in the naval service; The vessel will as
| cend the river as far as her draught will per
| init, making such stoppageS as Will best IA
| cilitate the object in view.
| The instruction of the boys VIII comprise
the elements of all ordinary English educa'
| ton, alternating with practical seamanship
and other professional occupations designed
| to train them to become efficient seamen and
| petty officers in the Navy. The prime object
| Is to place in the naval service, with the con-
sent of their parents, such good and deserving
| boys as will elevate the standard and make
| the Navy more reliable as an arm of national
defense. Boys who have been convicted Of
crime can not therefore be received, as it Il
| not advisable that they should become the
associates of the better class. They
$3.50 per month and one ration, as es.
tablished by law. While serving on
trafning- ships they may. if deserving, be
promoted to rating second ana rst-class
boys at the pay of Sl0.50 and Sll.5 per month
respectively, and o cruising vessels will be
entitled to higher ratings with increased pay
at the discretion of their commanding OF.
ficers. Boys completing their enlistment
who may be recommended for honor able dis
charge. will receive continuous service GER
tificstes emitting them to extra pay upon re
enlistment, and those who merit special dis
tinctiuns will receive certificates of com
mendation from the Navy Department.
on the arrival of the vessel in the Mtssis
sippi the commanding officer will give timely
notice in advance of stopping at Different
points in ascending the river.