New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-27
THE DEMORALIZED NAVAL SERVICE
LINE OFFICERS HOLD SECRET MEETING Al
A WASHINGTON HOTEL.

WASHINGTON HOTEL
Washington, Dec 20 (speclaD.--A rather significant
meeting of Navy officers, significant In that It shows
the utter decentralization of the service took place here
the other day. The language used on that occasion.
if correctly reported, would in any other country but
this have led a court martial and prompt convc-
ton of the offenders. Nowhere, except
in Washington, does hear superior officers criticised
by their suborlinates in reckless manner Those
who have secured for their friends and themselV Is
soft berhs and whose in Washington is devoted
to perpetuatlng their life of more or less elegant
leisure, sin most In this regard. The war between the
line and the staG is as old the Navy. 1t is
waged with renewed fury at cach reassembling OF
Congress and upon the advent of every Admins
tratiOn The extent 10 which it IS carried onto the
detnment of the morale Of the scrvice-may be
gathered from the following account given by the
Washington correspondent Of The Baltimore sun,
who enjoys exceptional facilities for knowing what
Is going on in Navy circles, Of the meeting already
alluded to- lie says
IL has leaked the recent meeting OF line officers
of the Navy held this city not the innocent affair
that IL was pretended to have been. Printed notices
were sent out December o. signed by Lieutenant
Richard Rush. calling Tor meeting and limiting at
G various important matters" be considered. The
meeting held last Wednesday evening In Room 100.
secluded paror In the johnson Of the Arlington
Hotel, and every pIocauuon was taken TO make the
meeting possible faithful darkey being
stationed outside the paIlor door TO give warning OF the
approach Of strangers Tho hotel people were given to
understand that the meeting was held purpose
getting up testimonial TO Secretary Whitney. There
were ortythree onieers present many OF them from out
Of town. Nearly all present were young men, and they
were not sparlng in their criticisms Of nor at all com
pimcnaTy their remarks concerning many Of the older
officers Of their corps one speaker thought that
It was time the Navy getting rid OF some OF the old
barnacles." lie was glad to see so many young men
present One Of older officers Of the corps who
Navy Department onlca would doubtless have felt highly
compmented could he have heard himself spoken Of as
" an old fossil who is no good"
One OF the objects OF the meeting was to organize
permanently under the of the National Nautical
Association" to divert suspicion from their
meetings and OF the time TO gain influence by
admitting 10 membership the wealthy yachtsmen and
ship owners The greater part of the time Of the meet
ing was taken up by the discussion Of legislative and
political affairs. The chairman directed appoint
a committee 10 push certain Legislation, including a
bill for increasing their pay. They felt confident Of
being able control the appointment Of the next secre
tary OF the Navy. One speaker said We must work
hard to make man Secretary We have spies and
enemies all around and must trust unless
he Is true blue In organization there is strength
Another remarked that they must keep the newspaper
IN the dark.
Our man" alluded to as the party whom they claim
TO be able TO have appointed Secretary Of the Navy
Is Representative John l. Thomas, Of Illinois. who
been pronounced advocate OF line officers In their
various attacks upon tho stan corps his exsrtons
their behalf having sometimes been vigorous as to
have caused remark There is doubt that the line
officers have great deal Of political influence. and
is not at all impossible that they may attain ends
I'm this matter one Of the officers present at the
ing was afraid that Cannon, Of Illinois might get the
speakershp Of the House, in which It might not
be 80 easy 20 get another Illinois Cabinet
Secretary Whitney could probably do worse than
order a court martial TO sit upon these nedglngs.
At any rate he ought to reprlmand them for ven
turing I'm the domain OF the lobby, and he would
probably increase the efficiency Of the service by
ordering them 10 sea