New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-11-01
OUR Big SISTER CITY.
AFFAIRS IN BROOKLYN.
tho Cruisers YardA Review of the Politlcai
....: Now Rules for the Milia-What Clubmen
Do;uo-yarious Items of General Interest.
mor plates parts Of vessels stores and all heavy and
l,,tlyy ohiocfc around the ward

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bulky objects around the yard.
The term of service of Medical Director Albert L.
Ghon, in charge Of the Naval Hospital In BrooKiyn
which expired yesterday has been continued by the
Secretary Of the Navy. Dr. Gihon will reach the re-
firing age sixtytwo years, on september %, 1ooo
He received the degrees Of A. NJ and NJ d. at Prince
ton and at Philadelphia, and at the time Of his APP
pontment as assistant surgeon in the Navy In May,
1855, he had been professor Of chemistry and tox
cology in the Philadelphia College of Medicine for two
years. His first service was In the East Indies, and
he was In the Porsmouths boat when 1t was fired
upon BY the Chinese while attempting to pass the
Barrier Forts on the Canton River In November 1855.
and afterward he took part In the engagements which
resulted In the capture Of the forts. lie attached
to the brig Perry in 1861 on tho blockade when she
captured tho Rebel prvateer Savannah, and he was
actively employed throughout the war. In 1870 he
was decorated knight Of the Military Order Of Christ
by the King Of Portugal for services rendered to the
Portuguese colony on the Island Of Tmor.
The full text Of the report Of the Board on tho
reorganization Of the Marine Corps Of the Navy to
Secretary Tracy has come into the hands Of many Of
the officers In the last week, and since 1t
Is document which has been anticipated
with universal interest 1t has received great deal Of
attention This Is the not only with the members
Of the crops ITSELF but also among Its friends In the
Navy proper, who have long recognized that Its ef
ncency should be increased, first by placing 1t moro
Of similar constitution and strength and, secondly
by encouraging its officers and enlisted men to In
creased diligence In their profession. The report has
also commanded attention from those who couple Of
years ago supported movement for the disbanding Of
this organization, which came into being November
TO- 1777 through resolution Of the Continental Con-
gress, body OF trusty, welapproved men, that has
served aOat on every sea, and done noble service In
every land under the sum-
The report Is accompanied with a proposed bill
providing for a e6ganization The first section pre-
vides that the commandment shall have the title and
pay OF brgader- general. Although the age and or
eanization Of the corps to-day entities the COM
manaant to the rank and pay of brigadier general
he in fact only has the rank and pay Of colonel
The present rank of the cpmmsndant Is not common
surate with the dignity of such military organza
ton the duties Of which embrace every quarter Of the
globe, and whose number is 1000 men, while In the
army there Is general officer for every 1866 men,
rho rank Of brgadier general was given to the com
mandant OF the Marine Corps March 2, 1867, but
was taken away again by the act Of June 8, fs74
The Grst section OF the proposed bill provides Tor
one commandment four colonies, four
lieutenant colones, four majors twenty-five captains
twenty -nve FIRST Heutennnts and twenty hve second
one colonel commandment two lieutenant four
majors, five captains, ten hrst heutenants ana hvc
second lieutenants and add eighteen second leuten-
ants.
Under the present organization there arc besides
the cOmmandant only seven field officers Of the line,
corps. The proposed Organization would furnish Off
OF proper rank for such duties and tend to cor
rect the existing disparity In the pOr0pttion OF filed
officers as well as the proportion of ofces in other
grades to the number Of enlisted men The second
section provides higher rank, that Of eutenantcol
One for the three chief staff officers of the oorps-the
adtutant and Instructor pay master and quartermaster
and gives them thsir retirement the rank Of col
tive list: The duties and responsibilities Of the stan
Of the Marine Corps Of same character as those
The third section provides that the senior marine
officer Of fleet or SQUADRON shall be known as fleet
above his lineai grade in his corps.
the grade Of major and If the failure 70 promotion
Be due to physical ncapasty then the ocsr
entitled him to be promoted The next section pro
vdes for the retirement Of officers after thirty years.
faithful service with the rank Of the next higher
Section 8 is one to reorganze the Marine Band, to
increase the number OF and adSa6Ge rnef
has become SO National institution 1t is ordered
t tSe c capital 1po Of the Saton present i
Of seven hrst-cIass musicians at s3s q month eight
third musicians at ST. NORTH or thirty
beers in all. In addition 70 the above the members
Clothing cssfe - The biz H provides for thirty
musicians at $50 month, and forty second class
Of '' marines rH " and an sant musical with
says with the present small pay it has been found
impossible to retain the services of good musicians
The proposed pay is small In comparison with the
pay received In other military bands. and IN the
Various orchestras the average pay OF ordinary
musicians Is $50 week, running from this amount 70
$3.50 a week. The ed Regiment of New, f eGG
paws Mr. Gilmore personal salary OF 5000
wear. for which In return he gives about two weeks
of his time. The Boston symphony Orchestra pays
IFS conductor a salary OF ZOO month" .
The leading government bands OF the Old World,
notably the Guard Republicanc. the Prusslan Guards,
the I'D Austrian the Russian Mounted Guard, the
Cirenadier Guards and Others number from fifty to
ninety men each: The Mexican National Band. which
made tour of the United states few years ago, COM
prises nearly ninety Of the very best musicians OF the
world. Even Japan and Turkey have well-equipped
bands based modern Instrumentation, and many OF
the South American Governments have bands OF from
sixty 10 eighty musicians.
Section Is for the benefit Of enlisted men, to elevate
their standard, ETC., and Is calculated the best
remedy 10 prevent desertiOn. The ninth section All
thozes the creation Of corps of sergeans to serve
as masters at upon vessels In commission. There
are many features Of the bill that are strongly COM
mendcd and II has taken months OF labor and consd
Grafton to formulate 1t.