The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-12-06
sxnroR11r AND snIkc11oM


SENIORITY AND sELECI1oM
| TIE Controversy IN the Navy Over The risn
OF the Phythisn Board.
| WASHINGTON. Dec 6--For several years the
liue officers OF the navy have sought TO better
themselves In rank and pay through the legis-
larion Of Congress. but they have not been
quite Of one mind as TO the way In which this
Improvement could or should be brought
about. This year the main basis Of operations
is the plan framed By the Board Of which Capt
n L. Phythian IL senior member. which
was intrusted BY Secretary Tracy with the
duty Of examining the whole subject OF line
promotion. And already the old difIlculty IL
again apparent. since there are protests from
some officers against portion Of the scheme
drawn UP by the Board. and particularly
against It's proposal TO substitute the principle
Of selection for that Of seniority In promotion
to certain grades.
The phythian Boards plan really embodies
several distinct and INDEPENDENT features.
One very important provision. which. II adopt
cd. aione would secure a general advance
throughout tho navy. except for the half dozen
officers nlready ut the top. 10 an increase In tho
numbers allotted to the higher ranks The
number Of Rear Admirals would DO enlarged
from 9 to 10. that OF Commodoros from 10 to
tho Commanders would be reduced from IS to
20. Then groat increase in Lieutenant Com
handlers would be made. and DO on with tho
Some oiii.ers are apparently Of the opinion
would s%p e sse
SsSa sns Si ~ the
Phythian Board propose also, In connection
T the 81 aas
-
s ssSSiss &C. sss sscsss: "a q !, sSss.s ass:
main. In fact. the entirs grades Of Junior
Lieutenants and Ensigns would he vacant, all
tSsyo ros m sepS sa t. HI FRAUD sa
ally Ct I'll. ths bottom Of The new active ist
in an officers career bis advance 70. > grade
oTy .sS Sa sy
year: When CAPTAINS are made Commodores.
s Se aeno by
which e to be twlce as great as the humber 81
Be shss III hsSs
70 &c rsrdD no
thSn tsisfsssp ySsfs 70 serve and no Captain
msss tss ss
f. az The ss asv By. bs Ths s ..
Ihs .oopenents = tn. plan say tina. e
sens Is sods ss az ra Ts.s Tor .ss c
g sisses9a ssi
hsss sss s.siss ssno,i sgs.sn liz a Qua u oaa:
IN to sa ss fR. q dusus Ana
ne a. and the Other two
grades. BY selection and the lower By |
DRS1s i 9, sny
heads % nee0r ssnors
ssssa sSs SSnIs; Sas ssssf
nab
s .ns and ao S ss
sssS nss %sfssssSa General
Il \. tSsnssEss a
Is left SO doubtful as to tempt them to curry |
iayor: lay pipes. and pull wires for personal
f IL Ru s o shs se y @
They hold that no officer In any grade should |
be promoted unless no 10 at for advancement; |
but that being III. he should not be set aside
Tor juniors. who BY waiting little longer will |
get their turn.
On as Nms h Rsnea se est ss. 9TH
be a great biocEins n the channel Of p ST
Ion tnn Ihers a ere noW. for example. $50 Len-
tenants and "a Lieutenant-Co mmanders. To
IL ss a q hS
time. thus keeping back all below. The con-
Independent command Of O. vessel when too
In life. and when their habits OF de-
G Gad 81. upon superior are to0 firmly
vice .b The 70 COUNTRY a Il areusd hns
without waiting until they reach every grade
,nee, it is urged that Inevitably the d}sap-
pointed and their friends will complain Of Sc 7
sy az a psts &ss
his principle, It being continued even in
France by u new selecting body. With greater
safeguards against abuse
Such are outlines OF the general trend OF tho |
gtRer po on sthes doubt
ulhciently evident that there Is basis Tor an
discussion In Congress- between |
he advocates Of the respective systems
CORNISH FUNERALA
4ournfal Custsns that Have Desn Observed |
By Many Generations.