New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-08-16

ship and one OF most highly esteemed haVai
officers who is enjoying a weli-earned ana
meritcd retirement after long years OF honorable
service
I'm discussing \ paper naval organization
few months ago the Admiral said: The first passage
that strikes me is the following. 1T is from the
deck of the ship that the problem should he con-
sidered" This IS one Of tho few indications that
have lately come to my notice Of reactlonary
movement against the tendency of the whole Navy
to get everything on shore II Is hopeful sign OF
the times II would seem that the Commodore Of
inquiring turn Of mind who has spent twenty or
the last twenty three years cruising shore. about
Washington and in its vicinity. might reprint Ad-
miral Luce's remarks and send them around to the
line officers for ratification or disapprovaL An APP
prova might ala him in gaining tha promonon 20
has been so necessarily imporuned for the last
three sessions"
CRITICISM OF ANNAPOLIS OBJECTED TO.
Mr. Wilson declined TO give NJ the names Of the
officers signed to the circular letter. He said that
he believed they had violated naval regulations in
sending out such a letter one Of them. he under
stood had preferred charges against Commodore
Melville the Chief of the Bureau of Steam Engi-
neerlng for article which appeared some three
four months ago in The North American Re-
view The following extract from the article Is tho
offensive paragraph: The institution AT Annapolis
must be brought into competition with the scientific
colleges. This policy would be Of advantage to the
cadets. to the competing institutions. and TO the
Navy Annapolis is either unable or unwilling to
train naval engineers and If work is brought into
comparison with that OF other institutions. the
Naval Academy will he compelled to extend It's
naval engineering curriculum or show cause for It's
existence"
The lire officer referred to-" said Mr. Wilson,
seems to think that Commodore Melville should
lie tried hy court martial for publishing this article
To citizen who has spent all his life cruising on
Shore but has some knowledge of educattonal mat
ters this obso rvation seems to be of the highest
wisdom and common sense and the Inspiration OF
patriotic pride I'm the welfar" of our Navy.
TIL. rAcEc or ToVvT-p AMI NT,.iIISTER
ION looking over my morning paper the following
article attracted my attention: The alarming news
received to-day at the Navy Department, telling OF
the hysical collapse OF chief Engineer George f.
Tower and Passed Assistant Engineer Andrew Nc
Allister both OF the battle-ship Indiana. gave rise
in the minds Of naval officers on duty here to the
question whether in the case of warships, the
danger line has not been crossed in the attempt Of
the overworked naval engineers to carry on the
exacting duties required Of them.
The North Atlantic Squadron has now had only
short period the efficiency of the most powerful bat
ue-ship OF the fleet has been temporarily impaired.
two Of the four naval engineers attached to the
sci having been condemned by medical survey and
sent - the Naval Hospital for treatment
Il surprised at this announcement. for
the testimony Of the Surgeon-Cieneral before the
Naval Committee. at the last session of Con-
gress. had fully prepared me for such an expert
ence. II is fortunate that this magnificent battle
ship. the finest in the world. was not engaged In
an action whore our safety and the honor of
the flag was in question.
There is right minded and patriotic citizen
and no citizen Is patriotic who does not desire TO
be riGht-minded on this subject-but desires to
the personnel Of Navy the most efficient and
harmonious organization of its kind. 1t should
be unrivalled as our warships In republic
like ours degrading class distinctions cannot be
maintained and the harmony and highest eff
cheney IN the service attained and preserved
TRADITIONS HAVE 40 BEARING on THE
PRESENT.
"All this talk Of preserving the traditions of the
Navy has practical bearing the question.
The traditions Of the Navy already part
of our glorious naval history The romance Of the
seas. 81 far least warships con-
ccrncd. in a large measure went with the sails.
When the vessel was propelled by sail, nearly
all OF the Intelligence and skill Of the crew was
on the quarterback This can be truthfully said
no longer Beneath the protective deck of
modern warship is the most complicated. most
costly and powerful machinery that human skill
and ingenuity have devised Its proper care and
direction call for the highest grade of intelligence
and skill. II has changed the warShp into a
highest efficiency very largely depends upon the
proper management Of its complicated and power
ful machinery
AS | said at the outset the Navy is the most
popular branch Of the public service. The people
willingly contribute with liberal hand to its sup
port but they will not and ought not TO tolerate
unjust discrimination in the service, when they
come to know that such discrimination exists:
How best to remove the present discomfort. ana
q, the same time preserve the military discipline
that is essential to the efficient service,
should elicit the cordial cooperation OF the vari-
Gus corps and of every person who is charged
with public duty. with the end In view TO estaO-
lish the naval service on most efficient basis.