Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-01
WORK OF THE NAVY.
Continued from Ninth Page.)


and above.
For the secondary batteries, 40 guns
have thus far been ordered.
The general tendency with the principal
Foreign powers is not only toward the in
stallation on war vessels of as many rapid
firing and machine guns as can be properly
protected, but also toward the extension of
calibers.
Personnel of the Navy.
In chapter devoted to the personnel of
the navy he says:
l cannot too strongly recommend con-
eressional action in reference to the per-
sonnet OF the line of the navy. Its present
condition Is too serious to be neglected any
lorger, and unless remedies are adopted
looking to some system of promotion which
will produce a regular flow from the bot
tom TO the top of the list the consequences,
not only to the service but also to the
government, will soon be nothing less than
alarming.
The object of any scheme of promotion in
the navy should be to produce efficient
commanding officers. the accomplishment
of which necessitates that officers of the
line be made to bear the responsibilities of
actJxl command by or before the time they
have reached the prime Of life; while they
are still young enough to accommodate
themselves to the demands upon intellect
ard energy, which are made by the assump-
ton OF control of a modern man-of-war.
my deliberate conviction that this most i'm
portant branch OF the public service, which
may properly be termed the right arm of
the republic for external defense, now suf-
fers from two great evils, viz:
First. A large proportion OF the officers
OF the line of the navy. at a time when
mind and body ought to be at the best. are
serving in the lower ranks without COM
mand and the habit il begets.
Second. No method exists whereby
the government can set the very flower
OF its personnel into those positions where
they can be OF the greatest service to the
country. in consequence of which dull
mechanical movement takes the place of
healthy progression led by merit and fit
ness
ReOrganize the Line.
1 am engaged in the preparation of
plan for the reorganization of the line of
the navy, which 1 think will meet the re-
quirements of the service, and / shall have
the honor to present it to the committees
on naval affairs and also to the joint COM
mittee to investigate and consider the SUBJ
Ject Of the rank. pay and other matters
relating to the personnel of the navy pro-
posed In the concurrent resolution intro
duced by Mr.. Meyer. in case said concur
rent resolution becomes a law.
Before concluding these remarks on the
personnel. IL gives me pleasure to express
the high opinion L have formed of the abil-
lily and efficiency of all the corps of the
navy.
During the short time that 1 have occu-
pied this Office the whole strength of the
service has been most actively engaged,
both at home and abroad, on various du
ties calling for dispatch, fidelity and judy
ment- / am glad to say that. taken as
whole, L cannot do otherwise than COM
mend the promptness and ability with
which these duties have been performed.
Il think 1t Is no eXaSgeratiOn to say that,
with the reform herein shown to be neceS-
sary. the navy of the United States will
in al s,ral hot
its professional proficiency and ability to
build. arm. equip. provision and handle
modern ships of war will increase with
every year and will keep its officers in the
vanguard OF military and naval progress.
Naval Militia.
1t is gratifying to the department to be
able to state that public interest in the
naval militia is gradually and steadily in
creasinS. At the date of the last annual
report the number of men certified IS mus
tered in and serving in the naval militia of
seven states was ]. 1874. During the present
year organizations have been authorized by
the legislatures of Pennsylvania and Illinois,
and the nunbe- OF officers and men mus
tered in and serving at the present time is
2.37G.
From the reports received b. the depart
ment during the year, it is apparent that
the naval militia organizations under the
different states are progressing as rapidly
as possible under the PECULIAR circumstances
of their situation on shore.
The interest of the Navy Department in
the naval militia must in the very nature
of things, depend upon it's efficiency as a
seasoinS force; and il is the intention of
the department to give the various organ
izations its most hearty cooperation in all
efforts tending to such an end.
The experience of this yea has so i'm
pressed the department with the importance
OF the annual cruise that its policy in this
direction will. if circumstances permit be
carried out on even a large scale during
the next year
1t is exceedingly gratifying to see SO
many OF our patriotic citizens thus yoiun-
tarily organizing and laboring to fit them
selves for naval duty. Our long and ex-
posed seaCcaSt and the difficulties attending
enlistment of sailors from our merchant
marine make this organization of great ma
tional Importance. and the department will
do everything possible unde- existing laws
TO foster and encourage it.
EnIisted Men.
The present condition of affairs abroad
makes it imperatively necessary that the
new vessels should be sent to duty on fo--
eign stations as rapidly as they become
available. but the department finding that
the present number of enlisted men and
boys in the service is insufficient for this
purpose, l have the honor to recommend
That this force be Increased by 1000 men
In order to enable the enlisted mer of the
navy to become citizens of the I'nite.I
states. as IS most desirable, without for
leiting their continuous service in the navy
~ is recommended that the privilege grant
ca 10 enlisted men of the army by section
2l66 OF the Revised Statutes be also grant
ed to the enlisted men of the navy
The CaravelS and the Viking Shin
The Columbian caravels, the Santa Ma
Nina and Pinta, are of no use to the navy.
but remain as most interesting historical
mementoes, not Only of the courage and
genius OF the il!ustrious discoverer of our
continent. but also of the great worlds
fair exposition. and of the friendly action
OF Spain in building and sendia:, to this
country the Santa Maria. IL is therefore,
suggested that Congress be asked to direct
what disposition shall be made of them
should Congress decide that they are to he
Drought 10 washington. / recommend that
an act De passed authorizing the expense of
lowing ana bringing them TO be paid from
tne uneXpended balance of the approDria
IONS Tor the in ternational naval rendeZ-
vous and review
In this connection l beg to inform Won
una capt Andersen, the daring navigator
VINO Drought the Viking to the exposition
ana VINO represents those enterp-isinc citi
zenS OF Norway who built this boat has
sishined MS intention to present that vessel
10 our government through the NAVY De-
partment, and l have intimated an irten
ton TO accept it. / therefore recommend
tnat congress shall also provide that Some
suitable disposition shall be made of The
VIKING when ii shall come into the hands
or the government