The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1882-03-26

- AAS NNf
Many a young officers professional
reputation has been ruined, and his pro-
fessional prospects killed, by an unfor-
tunate alliance. or by constant applica-
ton and wire-pulling to avoid the SER
vice that belongs TO him by right, for
family considerations, and many q man
whose ambition has never been aroused
by reason of an early resignation to do
nestle life, will hear with sluggish blood
the music Of the guns, or by reason of
lack OF fit experience be rendered value
less.
Recently n man-of-war was ordered
unexpectedly to winter in an ice-bound
and Isolated port, where mail facilities
were OF q meager nature. The number
OF married officers who suddenly became
ill and unfit for duty was astonishing.
Their ship was turned to ridicule, and
her efficiency must have been impaired
by their departure. An officer should
by law be made to remain a bachelor
until such a time as will insure his on
sidering properly the significant ques-
ton, "Will this woman do me honor?''
and II his reason tells him yes, then will
he know that she will do honor as a
representative of his country-women in
foreign and perhaps rarely visited lands.
In the Italian service an officer can
not marry unless either the lady or him
self possess sufficient fortune to keep up
the dignity of his position.
When an officer of the French navy
wishes TO marry, it is necessary To ask
permission OF the Minister Of Marine,
and at the same time to state that the
lady possesses n fortune of al least 25.-
900 francs. This official then satisfies
himself that the statement is correct by
communicating with the civil function
airy, who is familiar with the Enancial
condition Of her family. and this infor-
nation has to appear in writing at tho
time of the civil marriage.
In the Russian navy an officer cannot
marry under the rank Of Subj .ieuten-
ant, nor under the age of % wears. II
he marries before he is - he mrEt
show that he possesses a capital II 900
rubles.
Up to the grade Of Captain Liculcn
ant in the German service ia Office,
must have a capital of ~ 00 ]ri,alcrs be
fore he n marry, and must a'sD show
certificates as to the Responsibility Of
his fdncee, and also of his o~H moral
character.
Happily, it is not an American c:;stom
to make a business matter ont uf so sa-
cred a contract as matrimeny. 80 that
We could not, were we so inclined. pro-
pose SO indicate q step as the rreula-
ton of marriage in the navy 10y the
wealth of the contracting parties; but
we can, nevertheless, see the evil work
ing of q system that allows Il boy to be
entrapped in some unfortunate hour into
chains that are TO be hung around his
mock as long as he lives, unless n sym
pathetic and discriminative Providence
sees fit to rid him of his incumbrance.
A Lieutenant in the navy has. in his
pay, tho equivalent of sec, 900 in Gov
eminent bonds. With so much more
from his wife, he can maintain n social
status commensurate with his position
under the Government; which is one of
high trust and confidence. We can,
however, readily dispense with the ques-
ton OF fortune if we a secure legisla-
ton that will result in the establishment
of regulations forbidding officers TO mar,
ry until they are ~lieutenants, or 80 years
of age
BY that time they will have seen.
something of the world, and be able to.
judge wisely of the gravity of the step.
The service will not then be hamperedI
by young officers whose duty it is to go.
to sea and learn their profession, but,
whose lofty ambition seems to be to re-
main on shore and coddle their babies.
Service feeling will receive a new impe-i
tus. The young and aspiring, bound by
nc stronger ties than are born of the idle
Irritation of an hour, will give their fine
abilities and splendid energies to the
profession they have chosen, and whose
glory will become their United
Service.