New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-19
PROMOTIONS IN THE NAVY.

The Senate Committee on Naval Affairs has
probably acted judciously in reporting ad-
versely on the resolution in relation to Chief
Engineer Melville. Undoubtedly he deserves
the thanks of Congress for his pluck, energy
and sacacity in landing his boats crew and in
conducting the search for Lieutenant-COmm
der De Long. but his services cannot be adj
eouately appreciated until more definite infor-
nation is received. Secretary Chandler has
shrewdly suggested that mere intelligent
action can be taken nc the next scs-
sion of Congress, and the Senate Committee
has dismissed the subject. The Chiei-Englneer,
being brave aud efficient officer, will prefer
to be thanked and promoted year hence.
when he has fully explained the embarrass-
ments under which he has lab0red and replied
to c1ptious critics who are now disposed to
underratc his services Promotions out OF the
regular order should be made with great de-
liberation in the Navy. This officer is now
the forty-first in a list of forty-five Chief
Engineers who have the relative rank OF
Lieutenant- Commander. The proposed promo
ton would carry him over the heads of forty
men and place him at the foot of higher
grade of fifteen Cnief-Engineers, with the
relative rank of Commander. Justice 10 those
whom he would supersede requires that action
should be deferred until all the facts are
known, and his own good conduct can be
properly appreciated
The same comment is to be made on the
n1oDosal to confer additional rank upon
Lieutenant DanenhOwer. He is now near
the foot of the list of Lieutenants, and
if he be given the rank of Lieutenant
10 ho oil no
heads of 237 officers of his present grade
There is no reason why so marked deviation
from the regular order of promotions should
be made in his case. He was sick and blind
during the Jcannette's ice-drift and the retreat
to the Lena delta, but his misfOrtunes alone do
not constitute a valid claim for promotion. If
his self-possessOn and seamanship were con-
spicuous during the terrible gale off Barkin,
there is many an officer in the Life-Saving
Service who has never been rewarded for con-
duct every whit as mertOriOus. Certainly
there should be no preciptate haste III
giving any officer connected with this Inflated
expeditiOn additional rank III the Navy. Con-
cress should recognize the fact that progress
in that service is very slow, and that excep-
tional advancement must be based upon con-
duct of the highest order of merit. Otherwise
Injustice will be done to a large body of
efficient officers. We believe that Chief-Engf
neer Melville deserves conspicuous recognition
for his courage and persistence in searching
for his companions, but we deem it only
prudent for the Navy Department and Con-
cress TO reserve their favors for fuller in
formation.
The time has been when the heroes of Are
tic exploration have received the most sub
stantial rewards for their hardships and labOrs
When Lieutenant Parry, having conducted his
ships in safety through Lancaster Sound to
Melville Island, passed the 1lOth degree of
longitude, he could announce to his men that
they had earned the special reward of $4,000
offered by Parliament TO the first crew that
should succeed in reaching that meridian in
forcing the Northwest passage. When successive
ships companies emerged from the same aTchi
pelago with tidings of discovery, and when,
wear after year. the unavailiDg search for Sir
John Franklin was prosecuted, patient endur
ance and labOrious services were appreciated
at their full value in England. Titles were
bestowed upon commanders, the thanks of
Parliament were formally rendered and the
humblest seaman got from the Admiralty an
extra allowance OF pay, as well as grog.
This is a more practical age. When extraor-
binary risks are voluntarily undertaken, the
hardships and misfortunes which ensue excite
compassion without establishing a valid claim
for substantial reward. If De Long had re-
turned with a record of important discoveries
by which human knowledge could be measur-
ably extended, bis positive achievements would
have required recognition. AS matters stand,
the rewards should be dispensed with DELHI
GRAFTON and discrimination, and possibly with
| held altogether.