New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-09-06
WORK AT THE NAVY YARD
THIS IS CIVIL SERVICE IN FACT.
RESULT OF SECRETARY TRAcY's REFORMS
NOTES ABOUT CRUISERS.

NOTES ABOUT CRUISERS.
Not only the New-York Navy Yard. but every o''er
naval station in the United States where here Is
mechanical employment Of any kind was actually, nv
theoretically, placed under rules on IuesuaS WIZ
makes merit alone the standard for employment VI
mechanics and laborers In the future no mechanic lo
l,borer will be employed at any Navy Yard or staton
nnless he can prove that he efficient citizen OF the
limited States and one who has been convicted VI
any crime. Preference for employment is 10 De gwen
to veterans of the Civil War; and political assessments
are absolutely forbidden. The new system was Desu'
on June 1 really and It's workings have been saois
factory the Government well as the "orhmen-S'
| least I'm the New-YorI Navy Yard.
| Those who were so incredulOus to DOUBT OF 80
partisan as to declare that Secretary Tracy dld no'
mean what he said in his speech before the RepuDcan
Club of Massachusetts at Boston, on April o. hu9V
have certainly come to different conclusion. III hoo
they would better make careful observation OF tne
Navy Yard and the Improvement in the Civil Service
departments since President Cevelands Administration
Secretary Tracy after referring TO the method OF EN-
ployment at the Navy Yards, and declaring that the
practice which had existed for fifty years. that those
VINO secured appointments "must wear the coiiar VI
| the ward bosses who run the local political
machine is of Generalization to any party
that attempts to IT, destructive TO tho Government
service and debauching TO local and National politics.
He detailed the essential features of his proposed sys
| TEN. lie added:
81 propose in carrying ont the new system so 10
regulate IL that three ends shall 6e secured f1rst Tree
and open competition: second. employment upon
| grounds OF merit, 10 be determined by nOn-partsah
experts engaged in and responsible for the work ana
] third. absolute publicity in every detail Ana having
begun in the have indicated do not propose to
stop until the principle of efficiency and worth is the
| only test Of Navy Yard employment. am satisfied
| that such system will be in the interest not only
Of the work but of the wordnmcn that it be carried
| ant that will Ou
tics from the Navy Yard but also all suspicion OF
machine politics; that the economy and efficiency OF
the will be promoted. while the community will
| be that navy yard in its midst instead oil
being focus of local political intrigue, is the place of
employment Of body OF Independent and Prospect
ing workin gmen whose only road TO promotion lies in
good work. and in whom slackness. Incidence or bad
| habits will surely lead TO discharge
Secretary Tracy braced himself for fight before
going into this reform. but he has not retreated any
| more than lie did when he led the Tooth New-Iork
Volunteers, himself in 'front.' to give battle 10 the Con
federates in the notable struggle Of Grants army in
the VII mess. He then went into the thickest of
the fight and continued to give battle until he had to
be carried from the field. He Is the fighter that
he was when he the Wing candidate for District
Attorney Of Tioga County in 1853 lie was opposed
by Gilbert c. Walker. one Of the most popular Of
the state and afterward Governor Of Virginia. Even
Tracy's supporters were in doubt but Tracy knowing
whom he had 10 contend against, lne
canvass with increased vigor and reelected by
good round majority. Secretary Tracy's beginning Of
the order of things was when he declared all places
Of foremen and master mechanics vacant at the New
York aud Norfolk stations on June /. and filled them
with those who passed the best competitive examna
tons. And within the last week every navy yard has
been put on thorough Civil Service basis. and
son can hereafter be employed until he has registered
his application and passed an examination showing
him to be qualified in every
The sending in Of rcQustons for laborers undcr the
new regulations by the various bureaus at the Navy
Yard has already been begun the Bureau of COnstc-
ton and Repairs and the Bureau of Yards and Docks
have each sent acquisitions to the Board. The Board
that has in charge the registration, examination and
classification Of applicants meets daily 10 on its
work. Only fifty. however. be registered each
day. and 600 applications have been received.
One OF the most interesting incidents in connection
with the Navy in the week the exhibition, in
operation, Of the main engines of the 6646-tons ar
mored cruiser Maine, at the Quinard Iron Works Oh
Monday last. II brought together the most able
engineers in the country, both and CIVIL and also
Secretary Tracy and many of the best known officers of
the line. The Secretary may have been novice I'm
steam-enginccrng n few years ago. but Monday he
showed decided familiarity with tho several parts and
went about the machinery In a way that wed the
advantage which he had gained by assoca,ng with
Engncer-in- Chief Melville He knew the difference
between the cylinders and the valve chests the
trOttleS ana the injections, ana the steam ana
forces. The engines certainly worked with smooth
ness that gave much satisfaction and proved that
American workshops and American designers and
wOrkmen can turn ont vast and elaborate war {
machinery any country in the world. !
Before another month rolls the builders will
begin to put tho boilers and engines into the vessel
herself and this work will be completed in about
year, it is probable that by January /, 1893, the
armored cruiser, she is called, bateshp, she
will be- will have her commission pennent flying and
the officers and board and ready for a cruise
anywhere In the world The silver service subscribed
by the people Of Maine TO he presented to the vssel
named in honor Of the State is now on exhibition at
Bangor There three pieces-a soup tureep and p
two smaller dishes: but the s0np tureen is large a
piece that there has been question raised to !
whether it is not punch-bowl Those possessed OF
fine discrimination in such matters declare IL to be
a punchb1wl. The pieces Of original and emblem
attic design. The pines of Maine artscaly worked
into the patterns, and the State coatofarms adOrns the
face Of each piece. The set weighs 100 ounces and
the value is about 81 100.
The Despatch has been at the Navy Yard for few I
lays. She put into the dry dock, and as she had
lot been locked for about two years, some Of her
,Oppcr slieathng was In need OF repair It is not
Known how long the vessel will remain here, but she
5 likely to receive sailing orders at any time from
secretary Tracy
The new cruiser Bennington also has returned to the
lavy Yard within a few days. The vessel behaved .
xcellently her receUt trial. which very salts
actory in every way she is in the yard 10 have
ome finishing work done 10 her Nearly all the rec
made By the Board at her rlal have
,cea approved, and will be put into execution The
epars and changes minor things. principally for
comfort, and work upon them has already been begun
nd as there a number Of them TO be made the
,essel will probably be detained in the yard at least
month longer. "
II Is probable that the sloopofwar Yaniic which IS
Don to be sent to the south Atlantic station as a G
member OF the squadron there will be taken from the
ny dock in week or ten days. It is said that the
cak the stern has been thoroughly repaired and the
ropellcr Is now being replaced There Is also other g
to be done on the vessel to get her ready for her
ong cruise. The crew is being filed II being now OF
mis- about twtnty-One short or the complement and
he necessary officers being assigned TO the vessel
An inspection was held the receiving shin Vermont u
csterdny morning. ON the first SATURDAY i'm each ID
Month the men are called 30 quarters the roll Is
alled and the articles of are read to them The