The sun., 1894-05-05

the navy ofnoer can appeal Tor lueuce 20 =
court Of his peers.
These determinations have led TO re-
pested attempts at remedy. The one
most commonly undertaken has been that
Of Incorporating the revenue cutter service
with the navy. One reason for this course
was that IL would accomplish in the sim
plest manner all that was desired; and the
bill provided for this purpose met objec-
tions by arranging that the required force
Of revenue cutters should be assigned to
the Treasury Department, and put COM
pletely under It's control. as with naval
vessels In the coast survey, lighthouse. and
fish commission services now. Another
reason was that the Naval Academy Rradu-
ates could then furnish officers for the cut
ters, and that the navy would get larger
experience in the Independent command OF
small vessels.
Repeatedly . bill for this transfer has
found favor in the House. On one occasion
It passed that body by the overwhelming
vote Of ia to 10. after having been recon-
mended by Secretary WINDOW OF the Treas
ury. as we'll as by Secretary TRACY OF the
Navy and by an imposing array Of Boards
Of Trade and Chambers OF Commerce
throughout the country. But in the Senate
it met stubborn and successful opposition
from Mr.. SHERMAN, who had been against
the plan while at the head Of the Treasury
Department, and from q few other SEN
ators: and ever since then its prospects
have seemed TO wane. Under the present
Administration neither Secretary CARLISLE
nor Secretary HERBERT has even suggested
the transfer.
without discussing, therefore. the merits
and the drawbacks Of the proposed consoli-
dation. we may conclude that the present
time would be unfavorable to renewing the
attempt at It. Accordingly. a partial sub
stitute has been offered In bill which puts
disabled officers Of the revenue cutter SER
vice on waiting orders pay. 1t may be
asked why q retired list should not be
frankly created. as in the case Of the navy.
The answer doubtless is that. since the rev.
enue marine is nominally and technically a
civil organization, It is desired not to make
q precedent which might prove the enter
ing wedge for an extension OF the retiring
system to many branches Of the Gov
ernment service. at an expense which
would be enormous. The practical effect
will be the same under the present
plan. which makes use OF rating for
pay Ludb hlEOtuy eAlSIS, anu
either from age or from sickness or In
juries can be provided for. When Mr..
SHERMAN so bitterly opposed the transfer
bill. he admitted that some substitute ought
to be offered, and. In fact, introduced a
measure which created waiting orders pay
list for officers totally disabled or 60 years
Of age or Of 70 years service. II the
disability was not incident to the service.
the oficer might be placed on waiting orders
on half pay. or dropped from the rolls on q
years full pay. Mr.. SHERMAN even added
a provision for longevity pay. as In the
marine corps. OF 10 per centum for each
five years Of service up to a maximum Of
20 per centum.
1t would seem. therefore. that the present
measure ought to have q good prospect Of
success. 1t has in It's favor the record OF
very strong House votes for much more
radical bill. and the urgency even OF the
opponents OF that bill for a substitute like
the present. Besides. 1t Is very far from
being a mere matter OF personal justice.
Under the present plan the revenue marine
carries on its rolls officers who are no longer
able to render It service. This not only OBJ
structs the promotion due to officers below.
but keeps the Government from having In
It's employ as largo an effective force as the
organization nominally furnishes. Under
the new bill. therefore. the country will be
the gamer. while the old aud the dl sabled
officers will feel that they no longer
stand In the way OF those who should take
their places.
The fine record OF the revenue cutter
service ought to bring support to this bill.
That service Is nearly century old. and
not only has taken an active part in our
wars. but In peace Is our indefatigable
coast guard. protecting the revenue. and
enforcing the quarantine. neutrality. and
other statutes. and the multifold regula-
tions for the merchant marine. 1t cruises
from the fever-infected regions OF the Gulf
to Arctic waters. 1t is OF great value In res
cuing distressed vessels and saving lives.
Its duties are often performed amid great
hardships. in the cramped quarters OF small
vessels. with work by night as we'll as
by day. and as has been seen. at smaller
rates Of pay than in the navy. Its officers
are regularly educated for their life career.
and some Of them. In fact. are graduates OF
Annapolis. for whom there chanced to be no
vacancies In the navy. The present bill
merits prompt and friendy consideration at
the hands of Congress.