Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-10-17
JUSTICE IN THE NAVY.
Annual Report Of Judge Advocate
General Lemly.


General Lemly.
Judge Advocate General Lemly, in his
annual report to the Secretary Of the Navy
gives detailed account Of the operations
OF his once during the past year. There
were inety-nine general courts-martial
ordered for the tria, of thirteen officers
and eighty-six enlisted men. Ten courts
Of inquiry and boards OF Investigation were
ordered. Most OF the trials were for deser.
ticn. Scandalous conduct was the second
most numerous offense.
1t Is recommended that Congress take
| such action as may be necessary to enable
naval courts-martial and courts of inquiry
to summon civiIa an witnesses whose testi.
mony may be required in order that the
administration of justice may not be de.
feated Another recommendation is that
the President be empowered to prescribe
limits Of punishment which shall not be
exceeded by naval courts-martial.
In order to prevent a continuance of the
present inequality Of punishment resulting
from suspension Of officers from duty. and
as means Of eQualizing the sentences of
officers. 1t Is suggested that courts-ma rtial.
In the case Of an officer found guilty of an
onense for which greater punishment is not
deemed necessary, should, instead of sus-
pending him from duty, sentence the &C
cused to be reduced a certain number of
Mes. or to retain his present number on the
list until he shall have lost a certain num-
Der OF files in his grade
1t Is recommended that the act of Octo-
Der !. 1880. regulating promotions in the
army be made to apply to promotions in
the navy.
Naturalization of Enlisted Men.
In. chanfar he
listed men in the navy the report SAYS:
Section H7O Of the Revised Statutes of
the United States provides that no alien
shall be admitted to become a citizen who
has not for the continued term Of five
years next preceding his admission resided
within the United States and by section
N66 1t Is further provided that 1T shall be
made to appear to the satisfaction Of the
court admitting such alien that he has re-
sided within the state or territory
where such court Is at the time held one
year at least
1T would seem that upon considerations
OF public policy naturalization laws should
De SO framed as to permit, If not to re-
Qu1re. enlisted men serving upon our vessels
OF war to become citizens of the United
States. Instead. the statutory provisions
above quoted practically deprive an en-
listed man who Is an alien of the privilege
OF becoming citizen SO long as he con-
tinues TN the navy. 1t is only by leaving
the navy for a time, at Least and thus Civ
ing up the advantages of continuous ser
vice. that such alien can become q citizen.
cases nave recently come to the attention
OF this office wherein enlisted men have
rendered honorable service in the navy for
! period OF more than twenty years with
out becoming citizens Of the United States.
Section N74 of the Revised Statutes ex-
tends to any seaman who declares his In.
tentton to become a citizen Of the United
States and who shall have served three
years on board a merchant vessel of the
United States. subsequent to the date OF
such declaration. the privilege Of admis-
sion to citizenship, and section 2l66 provides
that any alien Of the age Of twenty-one
years and upward WHO has been honorably
discharged from either the regular or vol
unteer forces of the United States army
shall be admitted to become a citizen OF
the United States without any previous
declaration Of his intention to become
such, upon proofs Of one years residence
within the United States previous to his
application to become a citizen.
While the naturalization Of our merchant
seamen and Of enlisted men serving In the
army Is thus properly provided for. the
statutes contain no similar clause confer
ring like privileges upon enlisted men serv-
ing upon our vessels Of war. This Is an
unnecessary and unjust discrimination
against enlisted men In the United States
navy. The hardship resulting from this
state of affairs is increased by the follow
ing provision Incorporated in the act max
ing appropriations for the payment Of in
valid and other pensions of the United
States for the fiscal year ending June 80
1894. and for other purposes
That from and after June 1, 1S93 no
pension shall be paid to a nonresident.
who Is not a citizen of the United States,
except for actual disabilities incurred in
the service
"It Is recommended that the particular at
tention Of Congress be invited to this sub
ject, In order that such legislation may be
enacted as will correct the evils referred
TO-"