Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-03-21
Army and Navy Reforms.


The impression prevails at Washington
that some very desirable reforms are to be
introduced into the War and Navy De-
partments. The Secretary of the Navy
has already surprised bureau officers ana
clerks in his department by insisting
upon understanding the nature Of each
paper that he signs. When a check is
presented to him for his signature he
wants to know all about the object to
which it is to be applied, and when other
papers require his action he demands to
be informed about them before passing
upon them. This conduct is so different
from that which has prevailed In
the department for many years that the
clerks are beginning to study the bust
ness which they are required to transact,
and the prospect is that they will know
something about it before the new order
of things has been established many
months.
1t is certain that the politicians will not
have as much to say about the way that
the department shall be conducted as they
had under MIR. Chandler's management
Of it. There was a time when Malone
bOssed the navy yard and lighthouse sta
tions in Virginia, and it is probable that
other politicians in other States were
granted pretty much the same privilege
that was granted to Malone.
1t is stated that only a few days ago
Secretary Whitney put Commander
Rodney Evans back in charge Of the Bal
timore lighthouse inspection district,
from which place he had been removed
by Mr.. Chandler to please Malone. The
story is that Commander Evans dis
charged a lighthouse keeper for drunk
enness, and Malone demanded that he
should be restored to the place. Com
mander Evans declined to comply with
the demand. Malone threatened to have
him removed. Commander Evans
laughed at him for making such threat.
He did not know how much
influence Malone had with Mr..
Chandler In a few days Commander
Evans received a request from Mr..
Chandler to comply with Mahone's de-
mand. He again refused because, as he
said, the drunken lighthouse keeper
might at any time neglect his duty and
disastrous consequences might ensue.
The refusal was almost Immediately fol-
lowed by removal.
Doubtless there were many other in
stances Of the unjust exercise Of power
| by Mr.. Chandler. The time for injustice,
| however, has past. Under this admins
] tration army and navy officers will be
treated with strict justice, and faithful
and conscientious discharge Of duty will
| be required of them.
There will be no more favOritism.
Those who have powerful friends will not
be allowed to spend their whole time at
Washington. They will have to bear
their share of the haTdships of the SER
vice. OF course it is much pleasanter to
live in Washington than on the frontier,
or some station where there is little or no
society, and where frequent communica-
ton wEh ones family is impossible. 1t
is said, however, that favOrite officers
have been almost wholly relieved of dis
agreeable dutv, and allowed to enjoy
| social pleasures and the comforts OF home
at Washington, while those without family
or political influence have been compelled
to do all the real work that has been
done.
A change is at hand, and the darlings
of society and the nabObs who have built
themselves elegant homes at the capital
have already begun to pack their trunks.