Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1883-02-01
The Naval Appropriation Bill as Passed
by the House.
WAsHrNqroN Iannarr b.


WASHINGTON. January s5.
The Naval Appropriation bin, g. y sx.sed
the House, changes the title and grade of Mid :
shipman to that of Ensign, and Master TO
Lieutenant, and provides that the present
Midshipmen and Masters shall constitute a
junior grade of Ensign and junior grade of
LieutenantS. In the Pay Corps there shall be
no more original appointments. Promotions
may be made according to existing regulations
from those remaining in the corps. oficers in
the line shall be detailed to perform the duties
of PaYmasters, but such officers shall not be-
entitled to Increased compensation therefor
The examination of officers for promotion
shall be conducted in writing.
On the subject of promotion the bill con-
tains the following proviso:
'That hereafter all vacancies which shall
occur in the various grades of line staff
shall be filled by promotion as follows: For
each two vacancies there shall be one promo
ton in each of the lower grades until such
grade shall be reduced below the numbers
fixed by the provisions of the act of August
8, 1882
The provision abolishing the grade of Com
modore is as follows:
''The grade of Commodore is abolished, but
the present Commodores shall not be dis
turbed thereby. Promotions to the rank of
Rear-A Admiral shall be made from Commodore
and Captain. All officers shall be credited
with the actual time served as officers or en-
listed men in the regular or volunteer army
or navy, or both, and shall receive all the
benefits of such actual service in all respects
in the same manner as if all the said service
had been continuous, and in the regular navy
in the lowest grade having graduated pay
held by such officer since last entering the
service. Provided, nothing in this clause shall
be so construed as to authorize any change
in the dates of commission or in the relative
rank of such officers"
D1.oci Liant 10 ryoH 10,
Board of Officers to inquire into and report to
Congress which Government naYy-yard or
arsenal is best adapted for the establishment
of foundry for the manufacture of army and
navy ordnance.
The bill also provides that no part of the sum
appropriated for a Bureau of Constructions
and Repair shall be applied to the repair of
any wooden ships when the estimated cost of
such repairs shall exceed thirty per cent of
the estimated cost Of new ship of the same
size and like material
The clauses of the bill for building double
turreted monitors and cruisers are as follows:
"The money is to be applied by the Secreta-
~ OF the Navy under the appropriate bureau
for completing, in accordance with the recon-
mendations of the Naval Advisory Board, the
engines and machinery of the double-turreted
irOn-clad which said board may advise to be
first completed in the Government navy-yards,
under direction of the Navy Department, by
not by contractors; provided, he can do the
work of the same quality in the navy-yards as
cheaply and thoroughly, and with as much adj
vantage to the Government; and provided, if
he shall not decide to do this work in the navy
yards of the United States he shall then invite
proposals from all American shipbuilders
whose shipyards are fully equipped for re-
pairing or building iron or steel ships, and
for the construction of engines, boilers
and machinery, and shall build the same
by new contract or otherwise, as the Secre-
tary may think best for the interest of the
Government, but the execution of no
new contract shall be entered upon for the
completion of either of these vessels until the
terms thereof shall be approved by the Adj
yisory Board, who shall approve only such
contracts as may be to the best advantage OF
the Government, and fair and reasonable ac-
cording to the lowest market price for similar
work from responsible and competent bidders,
and at a total cost not to exceed the amounts
estimated by the Advisory Board, in its full
report, required by the act of August s. 1882;
and the Secretary of the Navy shall take pos
session of the dOubIe-turreted iron-clads, and
if he thinks best remove the same to the Gov
eminent navy-yards, and he shall ascertain
the amounts which ought to be paid to the con-
tractors severally for the use and occupation
of their yards with said ships, and for the care
thereof, and report the same to Congress with
ali facts in connection herewith"
The bill provides that the appointment of
naval cadets shall be made by the Academic
Board of the Naval Academy in the order of
| merit, upon such tests as shall be determined
by said board, and to be applied at the conclu-
sion of a six years course.
Hereafter no officer of the navy shall be en-
ployed on any shore duty unless the Secretary
of the Navy shall determine the employment
of the officer is required by the public inter-
| ests.
If any officer or person shall accept any
| present or gratuity of any kind or value what
ever on account of or by reason of any pur-
! chase or payment made by him. as aforesaid,
! he shall on conviction thereof be dismissed
| from service and imprisoned not less than one
nor more than ten years, and fined not less
| than $l00 nor more than $4,000.