Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-12-25
NAVY LINE AND STAFF.
Numerous Efforts to Improve the cOndi'
tion of Each.

tion of Each
by telegraph to the Dispa.ch.l
washington, d. c., December "a. There
ia little prospect that any legislation Will
be enacted by this Congress 70 settle the
dissatisfaction that prevails in the line OF
the navy relative to the betterment OF the
Dersonnei in the matter OF pay or
20 put q stop 10 the stagnatlon OF
promotion in the lower grades. NJ
merous bills have already been IN
troduced in both houses by prominent
members of the naval-atfalrs committees 10
correct seeming defects IN the present laws
and 10 advance the interests Of both the
line and the staff. but, as usual IN sucn
cases. they will probably meet with mo
same fate that all previous measures OF SINH
lar purport have met-be relegated 10 the
committee to which they were referred nnd
lie dormant there until Congress adlourns.
Nearly all Of the bills introduced TINS SEES
sion have made their appearance IN some
shape or form In Congress Tor the last TWO
or three wears, but IN every instance they
have either died in committee or failed OF
action by one house or the other.
SECRETARY TRAcY's BILL.
The most important measure that has
been before them Is the one prepared by
Secretary Tracy last session, employing
the recommendations of the board ap-
pointed two years ago TO devise some
means TO facilitate promotion IN the line.
and particularly in the grade OF lieutenant,
winch has suffered more from stagnatlon
than any of the others.
Many naval officers realize that some re-
lief must be had from Congress II the life
and spirit Of the old navy" is to be MAIN
tanned IN the new navy" and this can
not be better done, they say, than by H.
spring them with ambition, in holding
out to them some hope that they may
reach a grade of authority before they are
retlred--a thing which many of them can
not expect under the prevailing method
of promotion.
THE OFFICERS HARD LINES.
Many of the lieutenants OF the navy
under existing conditions will have TO re-
tire as captains. OF even commanders, and
as it is not customary TO give an officer
command of ship until he reaches the
latter grade II will readily be appre-
Grated that some of them will never com
mand a squadron and others Will hardly be
given q ship OF any great size until near
the end of their service IN the navy. Inc
Secretary of the Navy has repeatedly
urged upon Congress the necessity OF
taking some steps TO improve tins state OF
affairs. and numerous hearings have been
given by the congressional naval commit
tees to officers OF the service 10 set forth
their grievances. Bills have received ia
yorabe action In committees to carry out
the Secretary's recommendations, but until
the measure to terminate the reduction IN
the engineer corps was passed last week
all have met with opposition 50 serious as
to defeat them in every instance.
That bill has received the Presidents
approval. and its effect on the engineer
corps will be 70 promote several deserving
officers and in future make vacancy in
the lower grade for Naval-Academy Rradu-
ates for every casualty or resignation.
Heretofore IL has taken two vacancies TO
cause one promotion.
A GRATIFYING REPORT.
The favorable report by the House COM
mittee on Mr.. Herbert's resolution pro.
ylding for jOlnt commission to consider
questions relating to the personnel - re-
celved with much qualification by naval
officers as they believe that there will be
clearly shown TO tho committees sat-
isfaction the necessity of legislation
on the matter, and that Congress will
not be slow at its next session
to approve of some scheme to better the
rank and equalize the pay. The laws
which govern and control all questions of
rank and pay, and in accordance with
which all questions OF command and au-
thority must be settled, were passed at
different times-one to provide against one
supposed defect or inconvenience, and
another to remedy some other evil. The
consequence is that, taken together, they
are lnharmonious and lncongruous.