Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1892-05-21
THE REVENUE MARINE.
secretary Tracy Urges Its Transfer 10 the
Navy-Wssbington Notes.
IN telegraph % the DIapatcn.

BY telegraph 10 the Dispatcn.l
WAsHEGToS, ID. c., May 20.-To-dsy
Secretary Tracy appeared before the
House Naval Committee and made a
strong argument in favor OF the transfer
of the revenue marine service 10 the
navy. The Secretary presented the case
| fully from his standpoint to the commit
tee, and gave at length his reasons why
the transfer should be made. He also
made an argument in rebuttal of that
made 10y the opponents OF the measure,
and explained the benefits that would
accrue TO both the navy and the revenue
marine by the proposed legislation. The
point of the Secretarys argument was
that the transfer would give naval Off
GERS opportunities to famlliarize them
selves with our coasts by service on the
cutters which they could not get by
duty on sea-going vessels, and that it
would result in a great saving from an
economic standpoint to the government.
Under the present condition Of pro-
motion in the navy, the Secretary stated,
il was seldom that an officer got COM
mand Of ship until he was nearly 30
years of age, and by that time he had
10 a certain extent lost confidence IN
himself. by the transfer some ensigns
and lieutenants would Immediately have
commands, and means would be pro-
vided 10 get number of officers duty
at sea who cannot now have that service
for lack of ships. Not more than one
third Of the officers of the navy could
now be employed on sea-g0ing ships,
the Secretary stated, even when all the
vessels under construction were COM
pleted. The Secretary thought the OBJ
jecIions raised against the measure were
purely sentimental, and did not believe
il would demoralize the young officers,
as had been stated, any more than duty
on Ieceiying-ships, detached duty, or
anv other service not purely military.
In concluding his argument the Secre-
tary stated that he still adhered to his
former declarations fayoring the bill.
Indirectly he administered severe re-
buke to certain naval officers who have
zealously engaged in the effort to defeat
the bill by remarking that he felt 1t
necessary TO address the committee IN
support of the measure lest the mem
bers should be impressed with the belief
that certain arguments made before 1t
by bureau officers of the Navy Depart
ment were made with his approval or
consent.
When the Senate committee reported
the bill some weeks ago the views OF the
majority were set forth at length, and to-
day those members who are opposed to
| the bill presented their reasons why the
proposed change should not be made.
AS expressed in the report the minority
are not able to concur with the majority
that the transfer is desirable on any
ground Of public necessity-either adj
ministrative or economic.
An amendment was proposed to the
sundry civil bill to-day by Senator Haw-
lev appropriatlng Sl5, 900 for the erection
of public building at Fort Monroe.
The offers of silver to the Treasury
Department to-day aggregated 6SO,OOO
ounces. The amount purchased was
455, 900 ounces at .SS50a. $500.
Baron Fava, the Italian Minister, is
| unfortunate in his efforts to renew his
official acquaintance with Secretary
Blaine. He called at the State Depart
ment to-day for the second time to see
him, but, as on the occasion OF his pre-
yious visit, Mr.. Blaine was not there. The
Minister had an interview with Assistant
Secretaries Wharton and Adee, but what
took place is not known. 1t is under
stood that the Minister is charged with
the delivery OF an important message to
the President from the King OF Italy,
and is trying to arrange for an audience
at the White House.