New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-16
ARMY AND NAVY GOSSIP.
TIE TRANSFER CT THE REVENUE MARINE.
ARGUMENTS FOR AND AGAINST IT-CAND1DArES
FOR COLONEL REMEY's OFFICE.
fBr TELEGRAPH TO TIE Tribune!

Washington, May lJ.-SlHtc tHc Ic'rH' P"oih"h""
Of the statement that there X no organized effort on
the part OF Naval officers 10 defeat the passage Of the
bill pending in Congress TO mnscr the Revenue Marine
service the Navy it has been developed That, while
tho statement Is generally true. certain class OF Naval
officers, particularly those who would BE- injurously
affected In the matter Of rank and standing by the con-
soidaton. 1ave expressed serious objections to the
provisions Of the bill and submitted to the SENATE and
IIousc committees Naval Affairs verbal and printed
arguments 10 sustain those objections. According 10
the Arguments OF the Revenue Marine officers and the
views OF the Secretary Of the Navy and senate Com
mittcc Naval Affairs. the proposed transfer would
secure. among others. the following benefits:
First. suitable provision for the present AMI future
status OF Revenue Marine oiccr': second. reduction
OF 1892 400 In the annual expenditures Of the GOV
ernmcnt third. increase ~ from 800 $50 In the
number OF line officers Of the Navy doing sea duty.
Who without the consolidation Of tho two
vices, would, on the completion Of the new Naval YES
sells, be TO great extent unemployed; fourth. n
proper and just combination OF what NAV now. for
practical purpocs. be consldcrc two Amer an Nnvcs
nfth addiona. openings for surplus graduates Of the
Naval Academy and sixth. needed relief Ia the
present overloaded condition OF the Treasury De
Tarmcnt.
In reply Naval officers and others, who are OPP
posed the passage OF the BILL submit the following
statement Of their Views: First, that while the
transfer would secure suitable prvislon for Revenue
Marine officers, such imnSfcr wond involve the con-
solidatlon OF branch OF tho civil establishment with
the military, giving military duties ~ civil
officers and civil duties to military officers there
10y iniuring both branches If the public servi"c
and creating a dangerous precedent, second. that
saving In public expenditures would not follow the
transfer. but the contrary increase in eApcndi-
lures amounting Immediately 10 sl12.oco: and later
on, when rptiremcns Of revenue officers take effect,
to $4,000, third Tint IA revenue cutters are per
manently attached 10 certain stations. making Tow
brief IN ssases and having board practically none
" the means and methods Of modern naval warfare.
and rs such vessels must BY the provisions OF the
bill be commanded for the next twenty years at
least BIZ Revenue Marine officers the duties OF Naval
officers on board those vessels would necessarily he
unlike inferior to their legitimate duties on vessels
Of war; fourthly that, as the dulles OF Inc Revenue
Marine pertain solely 10 the collection OF public rvc-
nue. that service docs aud should not posses a
military character Ifthy, that the duties common to
both services only incidental 10 the Important work
OF cach and only by violent effort OF mncy can The
two services be considered 90 two American Navics':
sxhy that II IT is desired 10 provide for The surplus
graduates Of the Naval Academy. II wOud lie sufficient
to pass law authorizing their assignment upon grad
uatiOn directly to III" Revenue Marine.
1t being understood TINT Colonel W. b. Remcy. whose
third term Is Judge Advocate General u the Navy
piies June L. does not desire eapptn'ment TO that
office. his health -ng such that he Will De unable TO
perform any duties for the present at least, number
Of applicants for his place have announced their can
didaces and aleady engaged in active canvas.ng
for selection OF the known candidates, the two most
prominent arc Liclenants Alexander McCmcken and
s. c. Iemly both Of whom bright, energetic officers
and fully competent to perform the Important duties
OF Advocate General Lieutenant Lemly has the
advantage Of about five years rncca experience In
the ONCE Of the Judge Advocate General where he Is
now stationed and he has several occasions during
Colonel Reneys absence discharged the duties OF that
Office In manner highly satisfactory 10 officials Mt the
Navy Department. Nhllc Lieutenant McCmckcn lacks
graduate OF the Harvard Law school and Inns had some
practice before the civil courts.
Owing TO the Importance Of the duties 10 be per
formed aud tho limited number OF officers provided by
law 10 perform them. II is found necessary temporarily
10 detail from officers Of the line OF the Army n Ger.
tain number Of captainc and Iieuenants 20 at a.
Judge advocate generals the headquarters OF the var
Gus Army departments, and In view OF this fact the
bill recently introduced In the senate by Mr. Proctor
authorizing increase OF six officers In the Judge
Advocate Generals department. with the rank pay
aud allowances Of captains Is considered by those who
are familiar win TIC nature and value OF ihc duties
such officers are called upon 10 discharge Ia be one
deserving carly and favorable action In Congress.
Certain officers Of The Army who were appolnted
from civil life from the volunteer service during
the war resent the implication Of the law that their
abilities are not equal 10 those Of graduates Of West
FONT, and have urged that the invdious distinction
contained In the law governing examinations prior
to promotion In the Army which requires that officers
appointed from civil life from the volunteers shnl
be examined by officers OF that class onv be repealed
and that boards OF examination be hereafter selected
from officers lrrespcctv, OF the source from which
appointed. In compliance with the desire OF those
ohcers bill which has received the approval Of
secretary ElkinS aud General ScOhcld, is pending I'm
Congress to remove the discrimination referred TO-
The Secretary Of the Navy ha, approved the recon-
mendatIons Of the board Of Officers which has sug
gcs'ed number Of changes In the uniforms Of the
| officers and men Of the Marine Corps. Among other
changes In the mems uniforms rhc following: The
adoption OF sing"brcas.cl tmncs In place Of the old
double breasted French coats: black helmet, I'm place
OF fun dress hats: cloth Jackets In place OF undrcss
coats. and shoulder knot, In place OF "scalcsn or
craucts. Two changes arc made In the officers uni
FORMS and with ahc exception of modification Of the
ovcrcoas to permit the sword to be worn outside
provision for the corps and rank Insignia on the col
lar Of the Jackets. the adoIJn of black helmets and
regulation permitting shoulder knots TO be worn on
| authorized OF little Importance the matter
of expense TO officers which follows radical change
in uniforms being Sensbly considered by the board
Heretofore the War Department has held that ther.
we're only two krds of discharges which could Lc
Ssucd 10 officers and menr>t an honorable discharge
nd second dshororahlc discharge. the former fl
usual and special cnscs AMI the latter IN pursuance OF
"A sentence by cOnr martial la reply I, recent I'm.
curry from the Commissioner OF Pensions a, 20 whotbe:
here intermediate class or kind Of dis
hnrge, and II major In the Army, who was som.
Inc ago discharged summaiily by the Pre.dcnt for
alleged offences for which he tried ana nc
T AVE some
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