The record-union., 1894-12-04

the duties of the several bureaus con-
cerned in the construction of ships. This
order, it is believed, will secure to a
greater extent than has heretofore been
possible the harmonious action of these
several bureaus, and make the attain
ment of the best results more certain.
During the past fiscal year there has
been an unusual and pressing demand in
many quarters of the world for the pres
ence of vessels to guard American inter
estS. In January last, during the Brazil
ian insurrection, large fleet was concen-
trated in the harbor of Rio de Janeiro.
The vigorous action OF Rear Admiral
Benham in protecting the personal and
commercial rights of our citizens during
the disturbed conditions afforded results
which will, it is believed, have far
reaching and wholesome influence when-
ever, IN like circumstances, it may De-
come necessary for our naval command
ers to interfere in behalf of our people
IN foreign ports. The war now in pro-
gress between China and Japan has rem
dered IL necessary or eXpedient TO dis
patch eight vessels to those waters.
COAST SURVEY.
Both the Secretary of the Navy and the
Secretary of the Treasury recommend
the transfer OF the work of the coast sur
vey proper to the navy department. 1
heartily concur in this Recommendation.
Al
besides, all the work of mapping and
charung out the coast has been COM
pleted. The photographic work, which
must be done over and over again by
reason of the shifting and varying depths
OF water consequent upon the action of
streams and tides, has heretofore been in
subordinatiOn to the Superintendent Of
the Coast Survey. There seems TO be no
good reason why the navy should not
have entire charge of such work, es-
pecially as the photographic Office OF the
navy department is now, and has been
for many years, engaged in making et1i-
cient maps entirely similar to those pre-
pared by the coast survey.
PERSONNEL OF THE NAVY.
l feel it my imperative duty to call at
tentiOn to the recommendation of the
Secretary in regard to the personnel of
the line of the navy. The stagnation
OF promotion in this, the vital branch of
the service, is so great as to seriously inn
pair its efficiency. l consider it of the
utmost importance that the young and
middle-aged officers should, before the
eve OF retirement, be permitted to reach
grade emitting them TO an active and im-
portant duty.
The system adopted a few years ago
regulating the employment of labor at
the navy yards IS rigidly upheld. and has
1uIIy demonstrated it's usefulness and
efficiency. 1t is within the domain of
civil service reform, inasmuch as work
men are employed through a Board of
Labor selected at each navy yard, and are
given work without preference to poll
tics and in the order of their application,
preference, however, being given to army
ana navy veterans and those having for
mer navy yard experience. Amend
ments suggested by experience have been
made TO the rules regulating the system,
and through it's operation the work OF
our navy yards has been improved in
efficiency and the opportunity to work
has been honestly and fairly afforded to
willing and competent applicants. 1t is
hoped that if this system continues to be
strictly adhered to, there will soon be as a
natural consequence such an equalization
OF party benefits as will remove all
temptations to evade or abandon it.