The National tribune., 1886-12-02
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
The Weeks DOingS at the Ma
tiOnal Capital
TRAINING BOYS TO BE sEAmEN.

will give special attention I'm his forthcoming
report Is the system Of training boys 20 become
seamen, aud the prevailing false idea OF II,
which tends 10 obstruct lis progress. The head
quarters of the training school was couple OF
wears AGO established at Coasters Island Har-
Dor, near Newport, and it was thus made a
National institution from which most promis-
ing results are expected in securing a superior
class Of American sailors for the Navy. Not
only is the training squadron stationed There
several months IN the year, but buildings have
been erected for the general instruction Of the
boys.
The impression has gone abroad that the
training ships are reformatories for bad and
unruly bows. The fact is that in the selection
OF naval apprentices no bad, vicious, or unruy
bows are taken. and parents who apply occa-
sionally 10 have an unruly hoy disciplined are
informed that their application cannot be en-
tertained. The prime object OF the naval train
ing system, of course is 70 secure body OF
frst-class men 10 man The vessels Of war OF the
United States, but after an apprentice has
served the period OF his apprenticeship and has
attained his DIST birthday, nothing compels
him TO remain i'm the service, and he is wei
come TO the knowledge and education the Gov
ornment has bestowed on him. lie is still
young enough, should he decide TO relinquish
the naval profession, &c adapt himself 70 some
occupation on shore, and what is more, his pay
while IN the Navy viii have enabled him TO
tide over the interval of leisure. Should be,
on the contrary, decide 10 enter the merchant
service his naval training viii enable him at
the very outset 10 take position as mate on
board Of any vessel afloat.
Finally those boys who at the end Of their
apprenticeship desire TO remain in the naval
service. and ID is presumed, as experience has
thus fhr demonstrated, the majority will, find
their future assured; they are members of a
H. Al. III. Il
liberality in dealing with its men, IN respect
10 their pay, treatment and standing as citi-
zens. Boys must be more than IL and under
Is wears of ace, and must agree to serve until
they are 2l. They must be free from all physi-
cal defects, be able TO read and write, and have
a good moral character. Instruction lis given
in the ordinary English branches.
The apprentice upon entering the service is
rated as a third-class boy with the pay Of $3.50
per month; but by attention 10 duty and good
conduct he is promptly advanced to the ratings
OF second and first class boys with the pay Of
$l0.50 and Sl1.50per month respectively; when
ready TO 20 aboard sea-g0ing vessel he is ELI
gible TO the ratings Of ordinary seaman second
class and ordinary seaman frst-cass, with
$l5.50 and Sl7.50 per month; and finally, he
attains the rate of seaman at S2l50 per month,
with the prospect Of petty officers rate, pay
ing from S26.50 to Ss3l.50 per month. At the
age Of 81 the apprentices who wish TO perfect
themselves IN gunnery may be admitted 10 the
gunnery- ship for instructions, and by passing
the requisite examination can attain in a short
time the rate of seaman-gunner with the pay
of $3.50 per month. In addition 10 this, for
each re-eulistment there is an extra allowance
Of 81 per month; and every man and boy in
the naval service is entitled TO one ration,
which represents his food, consisting Of three
plentiful, wholesome meals day.
After attaining the age of 2l years boys
whose conduct has been good will receive three
months full pay, IL they return and re-enlist AT
any time within 80 days from date of discharge.
In future all candidates for boatswains or gun
ners will be required to hold certificates of sea-
man gunners, and thus these life positions with
salaries from 81 200 TO 81 800 per annum, will
be reserved when vacancies occur for the most
deserving and intelligent among the naval APP
prentices Those boys who enter the naval
training ships with a view OF going into the
merchant service at a later period will find that
they could have selected no better school. and
the course of instruction followed in the Navy
will materially contribute 10 their success and
advancement.
ARMY COURTS MARTIAL.
Col. Lieler, Acting Judge-Advocate General
of the Army, reports that during the year
there were 1883 trials by general courts.
martial including % trials of commissioned off,
GERS and two courts Of inquiry. The number OF
trials by garrison and regimental courts martial
was TO- pa, making total of l2,207, decrease
of 345 In the general courts martial the first
decrease in seven years. aud a decrease o
1867 in inferior courts The opinion is ex.
pressed that Judge Advocates should be exclud
ed from secret sessions of courts and il j.
recommended that officers of the army bC
empowered TO take deposition evidence. At
tentiOn is called TO the lack Of jurisdiction fol
trial over discharged military convicts. it il
stated that the army is of one opinion upon
the adyisability of entrusting TO commissioned
officers within certain limits the power o
summary punishment. The lack Of power of
cOurt-martial to punish civilian witnesses wht
refuse TO testify is said TO be likely 10 lead to
entire failure Of justice in some eases. Atten
tion is also called 10 the lack of uniformity in th
punishmonis prescribed by courts martial 70
similar oilenses, particularly in cases Of deser
tlOn, and ii Is suggested that a scale Of punish
ment should be adopted and the evil remede,
by legislation.
THANKSGIVING AT THE CAPITAL.
Washington weather was SO disagreeable o.
Thanksgiving Day but few people ventured fror
the shelter OF their homes. Rain began fallin
before daylight and continued 10 fall unit
about 5 O'Clock, when il turned TO snow, whic
became slush as il fell. For several hour
during the middle OF the day the downpOu
was exceedingly heavy and unremitting. As
consequence the attendance at the churches an
theaters was very slender.
President Cleveland spent the day yer
quietly al the White House. entertaining n
one. Several Of the Cabinet officers enter
tained a few personal friends, but there was n
formal dining. The inmates of the variou
charitable and relormatory institutions ha
extra-good dinners provided by public-spirite
people. Private business was generally sus
pended and public business totally A repoi
reached Washington from the West in the even
ing that an attempt had been made 10 kill th
President. but up 10 ii O'Clock all was Quie
and serene at the White House, and the fri
intelligence Of the attempt upon the President
life was conveyed there in the report from ia
West
CONCERNING THE CURRENCY
The annual report OF Hon. William L. Trer
holm, Controller of the Currency, contains sul
Festi0ns FOR the amendment of the nations
bank laws. Ia ali 3, $50 national banks have bee
organized, Of which 2,s5S are now in operation
OF these ia have been organized during tl
past year with capital of $2l 900 900; bond
S3700000; circulation, - 800 600 Twenty-fot
banks went into voluntary liquidation durin
the year, one ceased TO exist by expiration
charter and eight failed, with an aggregai
capital OF e6J0O00; surplus and undividc
profits, S20i 600; Liabilities Sl,300O00 III
total number Of shares Of stock IN an nation
banks is over 100000; total shareholder
223O0O. The contraction in national ban
circulation during the year exceeds $5600000
The aggregate deposits in the banks have Il
creased from S522 900 600 in January 1866
$l,l13,00OO0O in October, 1886, while loans m
discounts have risen from $J00OOO 600
ST. d43,O00O00. The specie held by the nation
banks in 1896 was $l9,OOo0O0, now it is $l5t