Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1892-12-30
JACK TAR OF TiE NAVY.
Loves To Growl Though W III Treated, and
Sees Much of the World.


Sees Much of the World.
No landsman easily understands the
relations OF officer ard seaman on
board a United States man-of- war.
The navy, so far as the letter OF the
law goes may be ST. to have q
thoroughly aristocratic organization.
Between officers and men there is an
impossible barrier OF rank. The
sailor may not sit down upon coming
into the presence OF his officer; no
degree OF faithfulness can carry an
enlisted man to even the lowest COM
missloned rank.
About the last enlisted men 10 be-
come commissioned officers were the
Old engineers who took service be.
fore the engineer corps became a
specially educated body and was
joined to the stair OF the navy. A
few OF the old fellows now sit at the
ward room table some at the head OF
the staff. lime was when the eal-
ousy of line and staif still sufficiently
active led to the application OF
'greaser" and other unpleasant ep-
ithets to tho engineers and there yet
fingers snobbish notion that these
veterans. who have reached post Of
distinction with rank, title and the
consideration that those things con-
fer all without passing through the
naval academy are bit less officer
like than the men Of the line or
even than the paymasters. surgeons
and others OF tho staff
Almost any day OF the week YOU
may see at the mouth OF n cellar in
Park row veteran naval engineer
who resigned his post for reasons en-
tlrely credtable to himself. accord
ing 20 the New York Advertiser and |
now tolls under ground tending a /
steam engine instead Of holding a place /
in the ward room on equal terms t
with men who will one of these DAYS /
be admirals
But in spite OF the rules and regu.
latlons the ram can't ksdemocratic |
spirit OF this country has entered |
even the navy and there is IA curious
comradeship between officers and men
scarcely shown in outward conduct
and impcrceptible to the ordinary
landsman, but potent for good in pro
noting faithfulness and efficiency in
the forecastle If men could be rank.
ed in accordance with the respect
they inspire among their superlors.
many a seaman would outrant some
tenants Of the ward room.
1t is the joke of the navy that lack
is a child ashore. and the Bowery
bears nightly give evidence OF the fact
but there are scores OF men who have
absolutely clean records whose repu.
tations are as well known throughout
the navy as those Of captains and adj
mirals who pass from ship 10 shin
making friends in wardroom and
cabin who enlist and re enlist, each
time with some slight gain in rank
and pay and finally in old age or
perhaps in their prime 60 ashore for
good with money in bank with sound
health disciplined habits and a rim.
ened knowledge OF the world. GId
Jack tars smile knowing smile at
Uncle Sans advice that young men
enter the navy in order TO see the
world. Yes through a port hole. "
says Jack with memories OF brief
rough liberty" at Malta. followed bv
ten days on bread and water and two
months ship keeping. But there is
no service civil or military. afoat or
ashore. whore good conduct counts
for more than in the United States
navy. The Jack tar who breaks
with Old traditions and wins the con-
idcnce or his superiors is as sure OF
seeing the world. save in pest ports.
rs the officers themselves
l he United States seaman is well
clad well fed well housed and well
treated man. Jack has his fling at
salt horse" and hard tack. as he
calls the bacon and ships biscuit that
orm part OF MS fare. but as a mat.
or OF fact most OF the time he has
mail cause of complaint. His SCUM
; 80 good that When the officer of the
leck goes through the amusing but
solemn performance OF tasting Jacks
God before ii is ser cd To Jack him.
elf he sometimes makes q hearty
neal of it Old tars growl because
he grog ration is abolished. but
Neglect 10 note that it has been com.
nuted for additional pay. 1t is
Iack privilege to growl His habit
las invaded even the ward room.
where everybody takes his turn at
it would invade the cabin il
he august tenant OF that holy of
olies had any ear into which his
rowl might be poured.
y ured Deer.
hn ft.o in,