New-York tribune., 1891-02-21
PrFOPu NEEnED IN THE NAVY.

Having been at some pains to explain the
necessity for improving the efficiency OF the
Navy, TIE TRIBUNE is naturally unwilling to
neglect any step calculated to promote an in
ve,tication of the subject. Mr.. Cameron has In
troduced a resolution instructlng the Senate
Committee TO sit during the recess and inquire
into the question, raised by TIE TRIBUNE and
Wa now wish to refer again to the importance
If that inauirv. The resolution should be report
ed to the Senate and then adopted by large II
not unanimous vote. Certainly 1t VIII be so re-
ported and 80 adopted if Senators have given
serious thought to the matter. secretary Tracy
has shown clearly that the morale OF the service
is in danger that while we are spending mill
ions to create modern shipS-of-War and to pro-
vide them with the most approved appHahceS' we
are neglecting the personnel and permitting 1t
10 drift into state OF decentralization. Ihe
conditions which make this result possible are
the fruit of existing laws. The remedy lies in
4 repeal or modification of those laws, and IN
the Inauguration of system which will provide
the Navy with personnel on par with its
splendid material
This is the most important question that can
possibly come before the committee. TO bnld
ships without providing for their proper arma-
ment would be sinful waste but to bulld ana
equip them as we are doing now, and yet neg
lcct the means by which they are to be adc-
ouatcly commanded and handled, would be still
more inexcusablc. That this is the end to which
we shall come under existing conditions IS, now
ever. Secretary Tray'S opinion, deliberately
reached and cmphaticay proclaimed lie has
told us that promotions are too slow; that oill-
GERS do not attain their captaincies until they
have grown too old to command with efficiency;
that the active list is numbered with useless II
not actually detrimental material and that, un-
les, we would see the personnel of the service
fall into hopeless demoralizatOn, we must
change all this We have pointed out in preyi-
on, articles on this subject, that the most prac-
ticable and expeditions way of attaining the
desired end is through the establishment OF re-
tring boards in each grade. This expedent
has been rcSorted to in most of the great navies
Of the world, and with the happleSt results
By such means England, France and Germany
are enabled TO purge the active list OF incom-
petent men. to retire those who alc too Old for
efficient service in a higher grade, and to dis
miss those who are unfit for duty in capacity.
Thus they have greatly improved tho personnel
Of the service, securing young, acuVe ardent
and ambitious officers for the commanding ana
executive positions on board ship, and wedding
out such as are not only incompetent in them
selves but are hopeless obstacles 10 the promo
ton Of others. That the United states Navy
is in sad need of these inStrumcntaltcS must
be obvious TO all who have carefully read Secre-
tary Iracys last report. Indeed, the showing
he makes is calculated not only to convince, but
10 alarm, an unprcjudiced observer. rs Mr.
Tracy sees it, the case is one that calls for IN
slant and vigorous relief.
Nor should the committee allow itself to be
deferred by any fear of opposition on the score
of economy. 1t may be sure that much will be
said as to the inadysability of cnlargng the
retired list. Watchdogs of the Treasury, or,
rather, cheap demagogues aspiring to that
tawdry title, will declaim against any measure
| of reform which appears to add dollar to the
| cost Of maintaining our naval establishment.
| 4 certain class of public men is fond OF this in
expensive exhibition of ScOrn for the naveS of
| Europe or the outbreak of domestic hostiliticS
among the Indians. II would be "A sufficient
| reply to all such arguments, however, TO say that
any money spent in purifying and strengthening
the personnel of the service is only the logical
| and inevitable consequence OF our expenditures
| in the matter OF its material But it is not
necessary to stop at this. IL is a demonStrabe
| proposition that an intelligent system Of retire
mcnt and dismissal will approximately offset
| the added cost Of the promotions resulting from
that system. 1t is perfectly safe to assert that
| by retiring the Superannuated on three-quarters
| pay and dlSmiSSing the unworthy and incom-
| pctcnt on no pay at all, the county will be
enabled to provide itself with strong and
|
| crease Of expense.