The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1886-02-14
THE REVENUE MARINE.



Nary journal an order issued by the Chief OF the
Revenue Marine Division, with the approval OF the
Secretary Of the Treasury, that has attracted con-
siderable attention among the oficers OF the service.
The order to which reference is made provides that
hereafter candidates for admission TO grade OF cadet
must produce to the Board Of Examiners satisfactory
evidence Of eighteen months sea service BEFORE the
mast, one year Of said service to have been on
square rugged vessel. These regulations to casual
reader appear perfectly harmless, and issued to
promote the efnciency of most deserving and hard
working branch Of the Government; but in fact they
contain direct blow not only NJ the Increased and
growing Importance Of the Revenue Marine which
Ia evident to those who have observed its progress
since the introduction Of the practice-shlp and the
OF young men TO NIL vacancies In the
lowest commissioned grade Of the line, but also at
the manifest desire OF the majority OF s onccrs 10
have the service transferred from the Treasury
Department to It's proper place under the Secretary
Of the Navy.
Before entering upon the discussion naturally per-
tanning TO the statement Just made, II will be well TO
give brief idea OF why the Chief Of the Division in
1876 thought 1t wise 10 have presented In Congress
an act (or rather clause tackled on TO the Civil APP
bill OF that year providing for the sp
pontment OF cadets to serve probationary term Of
two years before receiving commissions as third
lleutenants in the Revenue Marine. Previous TO the
passage OF this clause vacancies occurring in the
grade OF third lieutenant were filled by the appoint
ment OF men who were Obliged TO show to the ex-
aminng boards evidence OF two years sea service.
but not necessarily before The mast. This method
OF supplying Officers for the Revenue Marine did not
meet the entire approval Of the Department, as the
education Of some of those admitted, according to
the then existing regulations, failed to reach the
standard required for the proper performance OF
oiIlcal duties other than those Of strictly pro-
fesslonal character With the intention to correct
this the measure referred TO was presented anu
passed, a practice.shp built, and an acadentcal
course bounded on the principles that have 80 sHc
cessfully characterized the Institution at Annapos
was planned for the education Of young men fortu-
nate enough to pass the rigid entrance examination
and receive appointments as cadets from the Secre
tary of the Treasury.
The first class Of six graduated In 1919, and re-
ceived their commissions as third lieutenants. Since
then class has graduated each year, June being
generally selected by the Secretary as the month
during which the Board Of Examiners shall hold Its
sessions. within the last two years cadets have
been obliged TO serve three years term OF proba-
ton before graduatlon-two on board Of the prac-
tice-shp and one cruising vessel OF the service
Although the law of Congress in relation to the ap-
pointment Of cadets distinctly specifies the limit Of
the probationary period, the Chief by some method
known 10 himself, has succeeded IN forcing the
cadets TO serve three years instead OF two 1t must
be said, however, In justice to the administration Of
the Revenue Marine, that this extension Of the term
Of probation is an Improvement as 1t gives these
young men q much better opportunity to become
thoroughly versed in the practical duties Of their
profession, and places on the quarterback officers
ready and capable to meet any emergency that may
arise.
The results Of the new system, or cadet system,
1t is called, may be summed up as follows: The In
PRODUCTION into the service Of young men OF good
breeding and education, who from the very begin
ming have not only tended to raise the tone Of their
corps hut have shown In several instances that they
do not fancy the great power welded by the Chief
of the Division, who although the Secretary Of the
Treasury is the nominal head has virtually the en-
tire control of the officers and men of the Revenue
Marine, body Of over one thousand men.
This opposition to the ambitious schemes Of the
Chief has caused, naturally, bitter feeling on his
part against the young oflcers and 1t ls supposed
that he regrets his share In the legislation Of 1876
garding appointments, and realizes that with edu-
Gated men he has not the power he desires to hold.
In other way the order recently Issued be
counted for, and II 80, 1t will in all probability prove
entirely satisfactory 10 the Chief and to the few cap
ains who as satellites revolve in the Official orbit,
by bringing into the service young men who, having
inhaled the fresh air Of ships forecastle for egh-
teen months, and, while not as well educated as the
cadets OF previous classes, will have graduated DE
fore appointment in much that IL low aud vile Of a
sailors profession. An officer thus obtaining his
diploma, and accustomed while serving his appren.
tceshp TO the brutal discipline usual in the mer-
chant service will be of the class more easily dealt
with Than the men from high schools and colleges
and consequently more acceptable to the selfish and
unprincipled ideas of few men ambitious solely for
their own advancement, caring naught for the real
good of the service.
1t is not desired to give the impression that young
man coming from the forecastle is obliged TO be
thoroughly wicked, or would not make good oficeI
in any case but how many boys OF the present age
taken from the influence OF a refined home and
thrown into association with seamen on the berth.
deck of a merchant vessel for eighteen months
would not acquire some habit or trait undesirable
and unseemy in commissioned ofiicer OF the
United States Government? The sailors OF to-day
are not Of the class that followed the sea twenty
years ago. Then American boys went on merchant
vessels in the capacity of seamen, in order to ear
their profession, and eventually to become able ant
efficient officers of the mercantile marine. Is this
the case at present? How many Americans are
met with as seamen In our ships, aud how many Of
the few found have the good breeding and education
required In an oicer holding commission from thu
President2
Again, this order virtually prevents the graduate
Of Annapolis (who by the legislation OF Congress arr
honorably discharged from the Navy from entering
his report against the transfer of the Revenue Ma
rne to the Nasy states that the doors of the service
stand open to the graduates Of the Naval Academy
the only requirement being that they pass the com
petitive examination for entrance as cadets. Now
that the overflow OF the Academy has been draw
In the direction OF the revenue service, the Chic
withdraws from the position assumed In his report
and takes occasion to prevent the admission OF hes
young men, for, although they have seen the neces
ftun orus cryirn l,au oou tlof
| The mast Thus is the Revenue Marine barre
from receiving the benefit 'bf intelligent men mos
| thoroughly educated for naval profession.
The feeling that the Secretary of the Navy Is III
proper head for the Revenue Marine has been sOwl
but surely growing among its offcers since the a,
tempt made In 1882 to effect the transfer, and II
probable that the Chief OF the Division In his anxiet
to hold powerful position, has considered polit
to use all possible means to exclude not only nava
but other educated young men, who would be likel
to favor change in the present method Of admins
tration. While this endeavor on the part Of an an
bilious man is to be expected, 1t 10 to be hoped tins
| a Democratic Secretary OF the Treasury will not a
| low himself to be Influenced to injure the Revenu
Marine Service by the arguments OF a Division Chic
| II the Secretarys personal attention can be draw
TO this latest effort on the part Of his subordinates
and the matter laid before him In its true light an
bearings, there can exist no reasonable doubt br
that the obnoxious order which called forth th
article would he rescinded, and the service agai
throw open Its doors TO the graduates OF our hig
| schools and colleges.
Whether 1t would be better or not for the seryic
| to be under the Navy Department Is question "
to be decided by Congress, but no one denies the
Visibility Of dlling all vacancies occurring in tn
lower grades Of the corps with the surplus graduate
ofthe Naval Academy.
| The cadet system of the Revenue Marine is e,
cellent as far as It goes, although 1t has not the
advantages possessed by the College at Annapolis
1t ia, In comparison with the size Of the service yer
expensive to the Government, aud by reason OF I'm
perfect facilities necessarily somewhat ncomplei
In Its results; while the latter institution, benene
by forty years. experience, with every applicatio
known to human skill for the education OF youn
men, stands ready and willing at a less expense
the United States TO supply the natural waste In III
| personnel OF the Revenue Marine, and give 10 III
public the services OF men most thoroughly trane
for naval profession.
An act embodyng the foregoing idea presented
| Congress as measure OF economy would meet n
warm approval and support OF the majority of II
onicers connected with the Revenue Marine, and /
assisted In Its passage by the Navy. CITIZEN.
|
The Louise Craving the Lion.
Goodwin Smith In Toronto Week.
| Protectionism, as l believe, Ia not destined am
where TO live forever; II Will he In great peril as soc
as the workman clearly perceives that what he gail
In the nominal rate OF wages is more than lost In the