The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-07-22
LET Us HAVE DISCIPLINE.

A week or so ago vie called attention
| to the favoritsm in the navy which was
| to put Admiral John G. Walker. Senator
| Allisons son-in-law, and for twenty
| years, therefore, the pet of the Navy De-
| partment. into command OF the navy yard
| at Annapolis, and we called attention to
the very discreditable fact that Captain
| Phillip, who has been commanding the
cruiser New York, had been contesting
| for the place with the backing of all the
members OF Congress from the state of
| New York. We said then, ana we say
now, that these efforts TO control the as
| signments of naval and army officers
by political influence are outrageous and
most demoralzng TO the two services.
The assignments of the officers OF the
navy and army should be according TO
some principle that would produce fair
rotation Of service, subordinated, of
course, to the authority OF commanding
officers 10 vary the operation Of the rule
according to the demands Of the service.
But this thing Of allowing politicians
and members of Congress to intervene
and secure the soft berths for favorites,
while deserving officers without political
and disagreable service is utterly repug-
nant 10 our whole scheme of government
is demoralzng to both services, and in
PRODUCES politics where nothing but the
sternest discipline should prevail. We feel
compelled to go over this ground again
In view Of the action OF Mr.. Cleveland in
himself ordering Captain r. u. Evans
to the command of the cruiser New York.
This ship is the finest In our navy, and
is to be the flagship Of our European
squadron. The command Is. therefore,
one which every naval officer is eager 10
get. The Navy Department. in pursuance
of its established line Of proceeding In
such cases, had scheduled another officer
for this command. but the President, of
his own motion. and without reference
TO the departments plans. set Its actions
aside and gave the command to Captain
Evans. The public win Immediately con-
meet this most unusual ana indefensibe
act with the fact that Captain Evans.
for some time back in charge of the
Lighthouse Department for Virginia and
North Carolina has accompanied the
President on the Government steamers
that have taken him TO the coast of
North Carolina on his several hunting
excursions.
We have nothing whatever 10 say
against Captain Evans fitness for the
command of the New York; we believe
from what we know Of him that ne is an
excellent officer. Nor do we at all deny
the right OF the President TO take the
course he has pursued II he thinks the
IA, IT,
mander-in-Chlef OF the land and naval |
forces OF the United States, and may |
rightfully order officers about IN any way |
whatever that he thinks the public in |
terests require. Accordingly, If he really |
thought that the public interests would |
be better served by Captain Evans com
handing the New York than by the on
Ger whom the Secretary of the Navy had
picked out for that command taking
charge OF the ship. II was ali right for
him TO give the order. But II the Pres
dent simply wanted to do a friendly turn
for an officer who had made himself
agreeable to him on their jaunts. then 1t
was all wrong for him TO give the order
MIR. Cleveland has done so much for
his countrys welfare that we are 10th to
'ritcze any Of his Official acts But a
ming like this Is OF most serious moment.
ana we would not perform the part OF an
Independent journal If we failed to con-
Tenn II. II must necessarily exercise a
most important Influence on the discipline |
u the navy, and prove most dishearten- |
hs 10 oincers who endeavor TO live I'D
'trictly to the rules OF the department in
ne nope or securing their fair share OF
ne rewards that II has to bestow.