New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-11-20
TIE LINE md starr CONTROVERSY.
PRINCIPLES INVOLVED IN TIE DANFORTH
COURT MARTIAL.
IDr TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE.l

Washington, Nov. le.-Thcrc arc involved in the
trial of Assistant Engineer Daniorth before court
martial at the Ncwlork Navy Yard, several du's'
lions which seriously affect principles and customs OF
Naval discipline. The daily proceedings Of the court
martial have on thi, account attracted an unusual
umoant of Interest In Naval circles. and the published
accounts OF the testimony Gdduced and tho rulings oil
the court on points Of law and procedure have been
closely watched in Washington. This keen Interest
In Mr.. DanfOrih's trial f. In due. 10 doubt
TO the fact that the officer Is recognized as tompe
tent and jealous member OF his profession. whose
status may De seriously affected by the finding OF the
court; but the main cause Of such interest relates 10
matters which really so TO the root o.
the manhcr and method Of maintaining dis
Gplnc upon vessels Of war. In thls
view Of the the finding OF the court ami tic
action OF the Navy Department upon such finding Is
Important. In that the result will be precedent In
other Ike cases which may arise In the future. ana
set nj rest. 1t f. hoped points questions relating
to military authority In the Navy.
III the case Of Mr.. DAnorth the facts. briefly put
are Us follows: The officer Of the deck of the PhllH
dopha, having learned that one OF the enlisted men
VII, while prisoner, released from confinement to
receive medical Treatment had been d.cAar. ed from the
SICK LIST by 81" surgeon Of the ship, sent the MASTER
alarms 70 arrest tie man and rccOn1ne him. The
man Was found In the en- zinc room. where Mr.. Dan
fo.th Wa ou duty. Mr Dauiorth declined to deliver
tc III u uI anu hi't i'IuH'N ~ - WI u''h III V"'"'
cn,c 10 the oidc, OF Tie officer Of the Deck declaring
that ne wore upon which he engaged was too
Important leave. and that he had been placed at
HI, station by direction Of the Chief Engineer. lie
could not withdraw without order rom that officer
To appreciate how much lies below the surface In
this c,c and t. understand IN" significance Of various
qu, don. Involved IN 1t. II j. to know that
during recent years there has existed In the Navy
stnns corp, feeling. which at times has been both
iiftr and a..rrc.lve and no uttl. amount
OF contention and friction between officers Of tho line
AID " the siai These contentious have not lnirc-
qucntly affected not only TIE personal comfort Of
officers engaged IN them and their associates. but
h limited degree, at least. tho dscpln" OF vessels
upon which Trey served. Tho Engineer Corps has.
perhaps. been The Most aggressive In the contentious;
y,t officer, Of that corr, assert that their conduct In
the matter g. oul, natural ougrowih " their resent
ment AGAINST what they call the oppression Of line
officers"
In justification Of their position In the matter.
officers Of the line hold tina; whatever the rank Of line
officer, on duty aboard ves,'l OF or AZ shore
station officers Of stan departments necessarily.
In military and for military purposes. subordi-
nate t. them and that IN accordance with the stat
utyry law and tic provision, oi Navy regulations the
light e. military command direction de-
wolves upon fhc senior Inc officer present
FOR duty. This class Of Officer Is Glso
Of The opinion that the military element IS The
essential Whlc The stan departments arr but NaIuaule
sdluuc'- 40 The naval establishments In opposition
t. ills Wow. many stan officers say that II law and
regulations IN force az present grant to line officers
The rights They claim, law and cgila Ions hc sub
jet wrong In principle and unjust in practice,
and should. Therefore p" modified to make the
matter 81 command depend solely upon the rank Of
officers determined b, the datr OF commission. and
not upon an accidental ola. -lncauon.
Congress aad the Naval Department d not ap-
parc,tly favor the position Of stIn officer, on this
subject. ON TIE ooatar. these 'ourcc, Of authority
for officers Of tho Navy That while II I,
necessary 10 The direction and coui-o q The officer
and az % military ors1nllln 20 "a have Intelligent
AID fitnfu -up'fVi. Ton ~ every department. the
most important question is tie matter -; command.
which -laI hc rrut'cd In one prr.ou. whose power
and authority within stipulated icgb limit, shall ho
euprcue and vested ln uur officer. y it regulations
seem to apply directly 10 Mr.. Dan'ortl's case. and
while The principle o. such -iialilf, b. wrong
unjust, - eoni"ud'd hy tiIn officer. th. fic
main, that they are low IN force" and arr therefore.
% Doc ob'lrl nN every person subject 20 their Ifo
visions 1me regulation provide thai thr officer ~
o." deck T. Oh" icpr. 'ntltiyc o. tA' commanding
onc"r. ana Willie on any dtfN. ti' r"ffuriuunc" %.
viich involves 90" movement, ~ the .lp tir Htii
frc". 10 ~" mon. Do shall Do REGARDED rs oiIr~
and gil ofC"r of Nutc,tr rank ar directed b, the
regulations 20 assist In cdrryin- such duty. These
r"-ua'l0n- di fuGN .cf"r ~ assistant r' -rorr, ant
direct that Nc, shall conform 10 the order, Of the
officer OF the deck.