Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-01-16

THE MoNlT0R's CREW.
some Ideas About WcPhersOn's Patri.
otto job to Reward Then.

From he Fs,r York sun.
WAsHIHGTON, Jan. Senator Nc
Pherson has introduced a bill for the re-
lief of the officers and crew OF the Monitor.
ItpropOses to pay themthe value OF the iron
clad Merrimac atthe time of the famous
naval duel in Hampton Roads, on NJ arch
.. 1862, or 100000 if the value Of the Mer-
rimac shall be found to have exceeded
this sum MI. Thomas has introduced
into the House a bill for the same purpose
There is no question as TO the splendid
conduct of the officers and men of the
Monitor IN that night. nor as to the enor-
nous value Of the service they rendered
the country. save for the Monitor the
Merrimac might have dispersed or de-
stroyed the entire feet in Hampton Roads
She might have proceeded to raise the
blockade along the Southern coast. or
have gone North to destroy shipping and
lombard cities there. The service rem
dered by the Monitor, also, in our inter
national relations was doubtless impor-
tant, as it revealed to foreign powers dis
posed to interfere the existence of an M.
expected source Of naval strength
The dificulty is that the award of extra
money for naval achievements is governed
by specific statutes, and hitherto "A case
like the Monitors has not occurred I'M
money for vessels captured and deemed
to be lawful prize; they also allow bounty
in lieu OF prize money in certain cases
when the enemy's vessel. instead OF be-
ing captured, is destroyed. But the Mer-
Timac was neither captured nor DESTROYED.
She was badly damaged by the Monitors
heavy guns, but quilted the tight in sea
son to make good her escape. After
being thoroughly repaired, she
was used for defending the
approaches of Norfolk: and when
the Coniederates evacuated this place she
WAS blown up so that she might not fall
into Union hands. When GEN. Mcclellan
moved TO the peninsula the Merrmac was
still holding the James river. and his re-
port states that Flag Officer Colds borough
regarded IL and no doubt iustlv) as his
highest and most Imperative duty to watch
and neutralizc the MerrImac.' In fact,
this vessel had come out Of dry dock on
April "thoruughly repaired according
20 Prot. Solely, and ia as gOOd condition
as before the engagement 4 week later
she steamed down the river and moved
out into Hampton Roads in a spirit OF
brayado, but her challenge WAS not taken
up.
1t is clear, then. that the Merrimac was
not even coustructiyely destroyed bv the
Monitor, and the Revised statutes. which
provide FOR paying bounty money, allow
it only when the enemy's vessel lis sunk
or otherwise destr0Ved' in any engage
mcnt. or when the enemy finds 1t neces-
sary to destroy the vessel "in consequence
OF injuries received In action THIS will
explain the reason why no money has
hitherto been given by Congress to the
officers and crew ofthe Monitor. Her gall
lant commander. Lieut.. Worden. was pro-
NOTED, and Congress gave special thanks
TO him and 10 an under him for their
splendid services, but hitherto this is al
that has been done. The case Is perhaps
regarded as a little like that Of q land
battle, like Gettysburg, for example,
which, bad 10 proved a r0ut for Gen.
Meadc's forces. would perhaps have been
the ruin of the Union cause; and vet toe
laws az they staud do not allow the dis
tribution OF pccuuiary rewards TO those
Who gained This magnificent victory.
II be- plain that great inequality must
exist ia tne operation of laws under which
the easy capture 0f rich merchantmen by
Z biockadiug squadron brings large p.cu-
mary rewards to officers and men. aud
the galluuirY OF q victorious combat lac
the Moultlr'a rCnpf none.