The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-11-21
NUTS FOR THE NAVY TO CRACK.
Capt. Meekcr and the Marines-Mr. Dan.
forth and the EnEinecrr.

SbPt. "eeRcr Snu Nne MnrtneS-Mr. Nan.
forth and the Engineers.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2O.-If promotion In the
navy lie not rapid during these days OF peace.
Mt least there is no danger OF stagnation In
interest for the want OF topics for discussion. As
Chi!i's civil war developed the trouble expert.
enccd by the Baltimore ut Valparaiso. so the
Behring Sea affair has been proilc in worfies
for the Mohican. while tho Venezuelan revolu-
ton has duly brought out its batch Of causes
Of excitement
The conduct Of the Kearsargo in escorting
the steamship Philadelphia into the harbor OF
Porto Cabclo would. no doubt. be tho cause
Of an international quarrel by this time save
for the triumph OF Crespo. who certainly can
not object toit. Then there is the Mijarcs affair.
and 1t appears that the kearsarGo may he kept
on the watch at La Guayra to see that no at
tempt is made to seize the steamer Philadel-
phia on her return. because OF her leaving
port on her last homeward trip without clear
nnce pnpers. Finally. we have the unfortunate
affair OF Capt Meckcr and his marines.
This last Is likely to come up most unplcas-
antly. from time to time. In the discussion Of
the question OF the future OF tho mari ne corps
AS is known. guard OF marines was landed
at La Guayra from the flagship Chicago. by
command OF hoar Admiral Walker. to help
protect the lives and property OF foreigners.
similar steps were taken by tho French. Ger
man. and Spanish vessels IN the port The
American patrol was under Capt. i. p. Mesker,
IN officer who had served over thirty years IN
.no murine corls. and previously nearly three
S SSnrs IN te nsyy was i"pna on landing
no trouble in prospect. and tho marine de-
tnchment Was accordingly left in II room on
y sergeant Through the latter's connivance
snsy got iia ,%. furnished 10y eolorod
CnVB0. ana began To uuarrel. go Tint nj nj
Nee Meeksr relieved tho Sergeant. and took
ss5 tss, p re s%f d fqsFa .r aS
McGienssy, sommanding the CHICAGO. d." de-.
carinE that this DISARMAMENT Of marines sent
ross Of protecting tho United Sta l se Com Com,
which it was their duty to guard. having Oh.
tained and nrImS liquor un,i intoxi:nted
selves and having @ fher n"st Of 'ns duty
proving themselves as body unreliable and
ment q blue Jackets. under the command Of q
linz oiifet Of the b aayy iCr seryse on board
will hereafter never send a detnchmeni,' 10" Of
msrnes rS out o. iro the ship on duy without
ings. involving certain technical questions
which are still under discussion and eliciting
The practical result. however. may be to en-
bitter u subject OF controversy that needs no
has been mootsd. on the one hand. oiincreasing
tions; possibly giving them charge Of the
baud. OF taking them entirely from the ships
companies. and giving them service only at
favor Of the marines has been the excellence
Of their guard duty. and the trustworthy force
they sbp aw for has T the q
usual VII proGabiy b. thrust into ne con.
as 1t is. fairness demands that 1t should be
considered most EXCEPTIONAL.
cent trinl IN Brooklyn Of Assistant. Engineer
.faS.rsy ha. 5ssppss,sd TSs ds1snss sSs:
the cnse. whereas the prosecution would rep
resent it as a very plain case of disobedience
standing by the accused Of what Ills duty was
The preponderanre OF line over staff officers
s spfks s a IN es
although 1t Ia obvious. on the other hand. that
the1s is such r The ssryss
proposed to catechise the court. one OF which
was Have ron any line and staff feeling. or
and stan show the dsposit ae pus
tns stsp tanf g5ounG sto
at all disposed to challenge individual mem-
bers; 50 that in that respect the case is on q
ready boon duly reported in tho CO umns OF
The Sun. thore were several crucial Ques.
tons and several pivotal points when the line
and staff question came distinctly to the front.
Mr.. Danforth hsc declined. ms will be remem-
bored, to lenve the engine room and report to
tho officer Of the dock on the latter's order
sent to him. but would have so reported on
the orders OF the CAPTAIN or the executive ON
GER. Being asked whether he was not aware
that the offlcor OF the dock represented the
commanding 0fllcer: he said that he was but
he drew the distinction TINT in his belief 1t
risk Of Mr.. Dnnforth's station upon himself.
whereas II the commanding or executive ON;
have felt himself relieved OF responsibility.
The distinction thus drawn T. one that must
the question whether the duty in which the
engineer officer WAS engaged. that Of testing
Of a kind that made !, inexpediont FOR him NO to
obey tho order OF the officer OF the deck.
But what Is, chiefly to be noted H. that this
case may perhaps revive tho lins and stat con.
troycrsy and interfere with legislation desired
at the coming session Of Congress.