New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-29

by officers of the Quartermaster and
Commissary departments fall upon the naval
Pavmaster. Furthermore. IL line officers or tho
Navy are detailed to act as Paymastersthey cannot
be required to give bonds when assigned 70 merely
temporary duty of that kind. Consequently the
Treasury has a deep interest in maintaining inc
PAY Corps with ita present security.
Efforts will also be made TO get the Senate to in-
corporate several features Of new legislation INTO
the Appropriation bill. Last year the bill MADE an
appropriation for an Assistant Secretary OF
the Navy, but the office was hoe
created The present Secretary OF the navy
is reported to be desirous of having an assistant
who shall be good lawyer and shall represent the
ci-il side Of the establishment TO the secre-
tary. At present q Secretary who goes INTO
office from civil life. chiefly as friend ana
adviser of the President. finds himself dependent 10
great extent upon a chief clerk who Will propaply
have the traditional prejudces Of the Navy, ana
upon the eight heads of bureaus, who are them
selves naval officers The weight Of their opinions
is generally in favor of keeping things as they are
While the organization remains as is the Presi-
dent might as well appont the Admiral OF the
Navy to be It's Secretary. An assistant secretary,
civilian and a lawyer, would find a useful field OF
duty in dealing with many questions which should De
treated from a professional point OF yow, and
would serve as a connecting link between the
naval establishment and the people 1t is said that
Mr. Chandler is anxious to have the Office OF Sollcl-
tor of the Navy re-created so that there NAV De
law adviser for the department.. The Judge
Advocate g, neral, whose functions approach the
nearest to those Of solicitor is marine officer, de-
tailed for the purpose. and cannot IN the nature OF
things be lawyer of much experience. An
officer of the Navy might be detailed, II
thought desirable, have supervision over courts
martial subordinate to the Solicitor and the posi-
tions of Assistant Secretary and Solicitor might
perhaps be combined.
Some of the Admiras of the Navy, 1t is understood,
advocate plan for combining the systems
of promotion by seniority and by selec,
tion for the grades Of Commodore ana
kear-Admiral. Tney propose that Wien a vacancy
ana tine three senior admirlls who are within reach
snali form Boar 20 the list of tOmmodOres
and commend for promo, ion The first man on the
list VINO IL III every way qualified Tor The position.
Promotions from the grade OF Captain to that OF
Commodore might be maze IN the same way. There
IS further proposition when is
designed TO give elasticity 10 the
Jnyul ,ory Retirement law. IL proposed that
when an iiiceT has T.aDn,d the age OF siNty-Oue
years and rs physical c1ndl ION anI professional
qudl II - make h- cutt0n lii ac-
tive 81 rvce Ies rlu.e the Pr -Idcut I have power
TO nominate INN for confirmation by The senate 10
remain Oh he acuYr li,t three years longer. Inc
fact Is not DIS ulsrd that TINS ~ sl-neI 70 retain
Co nmvor. SLuf idt on the actiye list ioI another
three years. MS officer has rcndcrcd signal ser
vice 10 the Navy TO h in peace and war. lie
efficient in organizing the Navy as " ~
al present aud ue 10 now Dresidrnt ot the Advlsry
Board winch VIII nave supervision OF the con-
riructOn Oi the new Navy, il there TO w. OLe lie
lately negotiated the Corcan Treaty.