Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1883-02-08
The House Naval Appropriation Bill.
WASHINGTON. January 25.


WASHINGTON. January 2j.
The Naval Appropriation bill, as it passed
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
iunior grade of Ensign and Junior grade of
Lieutenants. In the Pay Corps there snail De
no more original appointments. Promotlons
NAV be made according to existing regulations
from those remaining in the corps. Officers 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-
lains the following proyiso:
"That hereafter all vacancies which snail
occur in the various grades OF line or Stan
shall be filled by promotion as follows: For
eacn two vacancies there shall be one promo
grade shall be reduced below the numbers
s, 1881
The provision abolishing the grade Of Com
modore is as follows:
1.-THE grade of Commodore is abolished, but
the present Commodores shall not be dis
turbed thereby. Promotions to the rank OF
Rear dmiral shall be made from Commodore
and Captain. ALI 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"
The President is authorized to appoint a
Board of Officers to inquire into and report to-
Congress which Government navy-yard Or
arsenal is best adapted for the establishment
OF a foundry for the manufacture of army and
navy ordnance.
The bill also provides that no part OF the sum
appropriated for Bureau of Construction
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 q new ship of the same
size and like material
The clauses of the bill for building double
turreted monitors and cruisers are as follows:
1.-The money is to be applied by the Secreta-
ry of the Navy under the appropriate bureau
for completing. in accordance with the recon-
mendatons 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-yaris,
under direction of the Navy Department, by
officers and employees OF the Government, and
not by contractors; provided, he can do the
work of the same quality in the navy-yards as
vantage to the Government; and provided, if
he shall not decide to do this work in the navy
proposals from oil American shipbuilders
whose Shipyarfls are fully equipped for
pairing or building iron or steel ships and
for the construction of engines, boilers
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
visOry Board, who shall approve only such
contracts 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 total cost not to exceed the amounts
estimated by the Advisory Board, in its full
report, required by the act of August 5, 1852;
and the Secretary of the Navy shall take pos
session of the dOGble-turreted irOn-cladS, and
if he thinks best remove the same to the Gov
ernment navy-yards. and he shall ascertain
the amounts which ought to be paid to the con.
tractors sevcraly for the use and occupation
of their yards with said ships, and for the care
thereof and report the same to Congress with
all 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 or
merit, upon such tests as shall be determined
by said board, and to be applied at the conclu.
sion of six years course.
Hereafter 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 orvaluc what
ever on account of or by reason o. 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 les.
than $ICO nor more than $4,000.