The critic., 1891-01-23

Editorial IN Netc York Tribune, JdnUdry %.
Secretary Tracy's assertion, made in his
last report to the President, that the per-
sohHl of the Navy is steadily deteriorating,
seems to have been abundantly verified In
the Reiter case. The Secretary, who has
given to the subject the most careful and
Intelligent consideration, declared in the
report alluded TO that the system of pro-
motion-or, rather, of non-promotion--
prevalent In the Navy tended to produce
u set Of commanding officers who by rea-
son Of age, indifference or loss of self
respect were untitled for the response
bilfties of command lie pointed out the
fact that officers were kept in subordinate
positions. until their youth their vigor,
their enthusiasm and their ambition had
left them. He~showed that they lost
heart, hope and interest and degenerated
into mere machines, robbed of the vigor
and the fervor that go to make efficiency,
so that at last, when promotion came, II
found them regardless of everything eX-
cept the rank and pay involved, and
devoid of that indeiinable quality which
makes men useful.
Every aspect of the Rciter case suggests
the idea that here may be an illustration
Of Secretary Tracy's proposition. Kept
in subordinate position during many
weary years; passing in drudgery and sub
lcctlOn tne ulne ~ winch MS spirit was
strongest and his faculties most active,
Mr.. Reiter reached the position of COM
mander only after he had become dis
couraged indifferent and conventional.
Under the first test he failed Accus-
toned, through the best years of his life,
to dependence and subordination, he was
unable to meet the stress of responsibility
and the emergencies of complication.
Confronted with n dilemma, he did not
l,,. 81. 4,
Tracy has shown all this beyond the hope
of contradiction. No possible view of the
ease leaves Commander Reiter Il shred of
dignity. He did not even have the courage
to err with vigor.
This brings mp the question:: What un-
der the present system is to become of
the pGSCRnd of the Navy? Not only are
the lists gorged with men unfit for pro-
motion, but we are without the means of
purging them. Secretary Tracy has done
his part. He has reprimanded Com
mander Reiter and declared that his case
is disposed of. But how does that allevi-
ate the situation? Commander Reiter is
still on the active list. He still stands in
the way of younger and undoubtedly
more efficient men. He continues to
block the avenues of promotion. Why Is
there no provision for such cases? Why
is there no way of retiring officers who
are confessedly unfit for the responsible
ties of command?
Here is great overshadowing trouble.
The lists are numbered in each grade with
men who do not deserve promotion and
who cannot properly discharge the duties
of high places. They not only fail when
subjected to emergency, but they remain
after trial and condemnation. useless to
the country and fatal obstacles in the way
Of happier results.
The service must be rescued from these
| sinister conditions. Some plan must be
| devised for Kidding the pathway to pro-
motion of inert and unworthy officers.
| We are constructing great and powerful
| Navy. We must take some steps to secure
| for It personnel which will fit the mag
| nificent material on which the country
| is spending millions.