New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-03-25
RUAORS ABOUT THE NAVY YARD.
IS A CHANGE IN THE COMMAND TO BE MADE
BY SECRETARY TRACY

BY SECRETARY TRACYf
There has been much gossip in naval circles fol-
several days Rs TO the probable tenure Of command
OF the Brooklyn Navy Yard by Captain r. N. Ramsay
The comment was given an impetus after Secretary
TrGcy's visit to his home In Brooklyn on March o
II was expected that tho new Secretary would take
opportunity 10 make his first visit 10 the Navy Yard
II only out OF courtesy to the oommandant and that
he did not do so caused much disappointment Then,
too, IS said that Captain Ramsay put on his uniform
and called upon Secretary Trac5 at his home. but
word was sent out that the Secretary at dinner
and Captain Ramsay returned TO the Navy Yard with
out seeing General Tracy.
This looked like snub, but It was nothing OF
the kind, in my opinion said an officer yesterday.
"ho fact is that Secretary Tracy cOntempsies making
q change in tho command, and no did not wish TO
commit himself 10 anything, hence no did not wish
to Deet Captain Ramsay Just At that time There
are two reasons why Ramsay will probably DO given
other duty, neither OF which he Is at fault for
cept possibly. that he not born few years
sooner. In the frat place with 80 many ranking
ofaeSrs not provided With duty, Il Is not justice to
them 10 give a senior captain. or as he viii be In
q few weeks, junior commodore, the choice shore
station. Then, too. the scheme that was employed
In getting him there is unmtary and conducive
10 the destruction Of good discipline II followed In
the future Captain Ramsay IS brother-in.law of
General harun L. hcAahOn, ana MS lHhucnCo' h-
Eether with that OF somo Roman Catholic prelates
ESQ It IS UNDERSTOOD with SECRETARY whitney. who
evidently had bee in his bonnet.
secured the Navy Yard for Ramsay. Now, Of
all men, Rear-Admiral Braino was entitled TO IT. He
had recently returned from the command OF the
South Atlantic Squadron and ho retires for age on
MAY 10, 1901, hence II would not only have been
ofleal courtesy but It right that he should have
had this duty. Nor II Get Of onlcial courtesy
on the part OF Secretary whitney 10 hurry up and
I'LL this of1ce when no was 20 be succeeded In afow
days by the now Secretary. Then, too Mr whitney
for three years Tho Yard had been several days
in charge Of Acting -Commsndant Miller, and certainly
two weeks longer would have made no material differ
cnee
q But It is aIso said that Admiral Braino not
favored By Commodore Walkor, Chief OF the Bureau
of Detail II that was the case there we're Commo-
dore d. %. Harmony, and Commodofo A. y. n, Bon.
ham. Captain Ramsay had command OF no Boston
from May 1887, until February ID last which vessel
during that time passed about seventeen months AZ
the Navy Yard. while tho officers under full
who is not nag-onlcer 10 the command OF this sta.
ton and this act Of Secretary Whitney has astonshed
the entire Nay Ramsay ks + at-Tao officer So and I'd
should bo given duty equivalent to his
rank There arc other remarkable things
which do not reflect credit upon tho last Admnistra-
mand Of the Washington Navy Yard where, he has
been about eighteen months; Captain Carpenter has
boen on waiting orders more than year; Captain
Kirkland commands the receiving ship Vermont at
this yard and has had long torn OF service here
altogether about nve years first IN command Of the
Vermont, then executive OF the Yard then back to
The Vermont and all s., since e., Nay 1884 Several cap,
Captain Kirkland has been too long upon this favored
duty. Captain Potter hts been commandant Of tho
Naval Asylum at philadelphia for two years, and
which e1onerSted him iron charges"