New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-20


or more. For instance. there were many cases
like that of Master William r. Rude. VINO was
dismissed from the navy on January T. 1863. for
"tricing up Of the crew.
The offence of disobedicnce OF orders Is Of the
most serious known to the military code. and the
person found guilty of It," said Secretary Wees
in general order January -. 1869 lis liable
to the punishment of death" One Of the sections
OF Article S. above quoted. provides severe
punishment to who "endeavors to foment quar-
rcs between other persons in the Navy: sends
| or accepts challenge to fight a duel acts
second I'm a duel" An interesting of this sort
the court-martal in 1863 Of Captain D. NJ
Cohen and Lieutenant William b. Mexican, of the
Marine Corps under the charge of "scandaous
conduct. tending the destruction of good morals"
the first In sending a written message. the sec md
in hearing the same. In the nature Of challenge
10 T.. 4. Selfrdge. The sentence Of the court was
that Captain Cohen be ''reprimanded." and Lieu
tenant Mexican be "admonished" by the Secretary
of tho Navy but Secretary Wellcs deemed that the
punishment didn't ht the crime and no dlsapproved
the sentence
captain William r. IIoT. who recently de-
tached from command Of the Lancaster and sent
home because OF the dissatisfaction Of the Navy
Department account of his going long way
round" to reach the South Atlantic. one Of four
ensigns whose appointments were revoked IN lHi
and they sent back to their studies at the
Naval Academy mdshpmen because they went
below without being relieved of their duties on
Weies said that IT was IAN offence which subjects
the person guilty Of 1t the punishment Of death
and that If an officer could not be trust ID in mis-
watch. he has yet to learn the simplest practical
duties Of his profession and is united for aIa-
Of his country, may depend on his vigilance and
on May 1s. 1854 Congress enacted that Naval
courts martial shall have power to sentence officers
who shall absent themselves from their commands
without leave to be reduced to the rating OF ordi-
nary seamen." one Of the first victims Of this
now law engineer officer canned William J.
Moflitt, who was. on July H. lsbi reduced To tne
rating OF a fireman to serve as such for two years
in o 1r, Phs g sentence said T6e safety
OF the ship. its efficiency. even the honor OF the
ad vgilant attention to duty"
There also instances where officers were
sentenced to be dismissed from the service and dis
/ stance was that Of Master c. W. Caswc. who WAS
! ing with contempt his superior officer while in the
execution Of his Ollie and was sentenced t 1 be
any office or appointment under the tiovernment OF
c n p'f' @ Secretary Wecs m Gg the lat
ter part Of the sentence, taking the view that "a
manner" But in June, 1866 Ensign William Hunter
was court -nartiaed for ordering a landsman TO
he rlced up with his hands behind him. and two
neck and kept I'm this position for more than an
he was gagged" Ensign Hunter sentenced to
be Imprisoned for the term Of two years. TO forfeit
/ all pay due him. and to be dishonorahly dis
missed from the Navy service at the end Of tho
ga ron hodg any aCe OF bs synntence was
|
one Of the severe punishmcnts. but which was
disapproved by Secretary Wecs was the sentence
mander James Stilwcll for going ashore from lis
vessel 1T Baltimore. In November 1865. remaining
ont OF his vessel night. and giving permission
to the executive officer to be absent at tho same
time and loving only one 9iicer on board: IN coSe
Secretary mitisated the sentence to suspension
from rank and duty for three years
Another instance of severe punishment was that
Of Paymastcr +. j. Stone. who sentenced to
bc dismissed from the Navy for having published in
The Army and Navy Journal in May lSS. an
article which reelected upon some OF the officers
Of the Navy The sentence was mitigated TO one
ccmmodore Charles wilkcs. who prominently fig
urcd in the Mason and Sdell affair. was not spared
the stain upon his reputation as an officer and his
character rs a gentleman. He tried by general
court martial IN 1851 on hve dstnct charges nclud
ing dsobcdencc Of orders lnsubordinate conduct
disrespect and disrcspectful language to his super
Tor officer refusal TO obey an order OF the Secretary
Of the Navy. and conduct unbe, oming officer by
an offence against Article lie was sentenced TO
be publicly reprimanded by III" Secretary of the
Navy and To be- suspended from duty for three
sentence said: 81 hardly need say more to an Of
nccr OF his age and experience IN the service than
decision upon them by "A court composed OF officers
Of the highest rank in the Navy constitutes In
Itself rcprmand sufficiently poignant and severe
TO any one who may have desired to preserve an
mtarnished record In the service
Only sixty years have passed since the boys Of
Eion Vcuturcd 20 beg that pipes might be laid I'm
some of the school buildings that they need not
fetch water from the pumps In the freezing winter
with tho scornful comment that they would be
wanting gas and Turkey carpets next At Win
had to wash In an open yard called Moab" where
half dozen tubs were ranged around the wall.
and 1t the duty Of one Of the juniors to 10
from tub 10 tub on frosty mornings and haw the
lee with candle. Comfort was deemed bal
unmanly cold" said Or. keate. "A famous head
master OF Eton. TO a poor little bit of humanity
Don't talk TO OF being cod You must learn TO
bear It. sir! You are not at girls school!"-(St.