New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-12-07

suggested certain measures that might have the effect
Of partial remedy. That the Importance Of tue sub
fact that the senate at its last session, ON February
10, 1891, authorized the Committee on Naval Affairs
things, Of considering bills relative TO the personnel
o. the Navy 1t is the desire of the Department to
further and assist Congressional action in this direction
by every means at is command. With this object
in view II appointed, on June "a, a board Of line
mande F. F. cbs 81 S1p'a Commander q ''a DAVIS
Lieutenant Commander Il. Glover. Lieutenant g. W.
Mentz, and Lieutenant william ii. schuetze, 10 ex.
anime Into and report upon the present condition OF
staenation in the promotion of line officers, and to
recommend such measures us IL might deem desirable
on tc subject with view to the increased efficiency
In reference to the Engineer Corps, whose ne
cesstcs are OF somewhat different character no board
Chief having pointed out with clearness and ability
the measures considered necessary by him to promote
the efficiency Of the corps. These measures, and
especially the increase in the number Of the corps
report OF last year.
It is false economy to put in now vessels all
the multitude OF engines aud devices b. whcs steam
and mechanical appliances are made to do the work
Of man. and then 70 provide an Insufficient number oil
In reference to the line officers, the report Of the
Phythian Board. transmitted herewith, Is commended
TO the careful attention OF Congress. The picture
presents Is not overdawn and is argument IN fayor
Of measures looking TO change will convince any I'M
partial observer that radical change is necessary
The remedy proposed is believed BY the Depart
necessities Of e case although many Of is
details will require essential modification The Secretary
recommends In place Of the complex system OF the
the Army as being simpler better and moe Ell ell
fcctual. Under this system the President Should pc
authorized 20 select from the grade OF captains tlc
Ohcer who, In his judgment, Is best lifted hDr inc
promotions from commodore TO rearadmiral. lie also
recommends that tho designations OF the grades OF
rearadniiral and commodore he changed respectively
10 vice admiral and rear-admiral the numbers, pay
as at present The number Of captains should be
fixed at sixty. as recommended by the Board.
Speaking of the Naval Militia the Secretary says
In my first annual report called attention 10 the
great importance OF ruined militia Tor the Navy,
organization both to the regular service and to IN,
country at large The subject further discussed
in the report OF last year. and 1t was recon ended
that appropriation should be made by congress
for the supply of arms in the same manner as had
been done for many yeaIs for the land militia. IL
predicted a. the time that II such an appfopnt-
ton made tho creation Of the Naval. Militia 6y
the States would be assured. In pursuance OF tnls
suggestion Congress, In the Naval Appropriation ACT
of March ., 1891 appropriated $4,000 for the pnr-
chase OF arms for the militia to be eApendsd undef
such regulations the secretary of the Navy may
prescribe" This became available on the ISL
Of july and In accordance with the terms oil me
OF the several states. The fund appropriate by
law Is not distributed directly to the States, Dut Is
applied under the supervision OF the Bureau OF
Ordnance to filling acquisitions for arms ana EQUIP
Of the several states In the same manner as thc
appropriation for the land militia in charge Of the war
Department. The result of the three allotnents
October 1 follows:
California oo4 40 North Carolina. 2o3 60
Massachusett; 49,. 5i23 30 Texas 1913 II
ar,o nu,,har ~ mon certtfad mustered i'm and