Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-10-19
DISCRIMINATION OPPOSED.
Sailors Should Have the Privileges
Granted to SOldiera.


The fact that the business of the Office
of judge advocate general Of the navy has
increased 300 per cent in the last ten years
is quoted by Judge Advocate General Lem
ly, in his annual report to the Secretary of
the Navy. as an evidence of the recent
growth Of the navy as a whole. He calls
attention to the fact that a large number
of naval veterans who left the service at
the end OF the last war without waiting
for formal discharges are suffering from
the blot of desertion standing against their
names on the rolls, and he asks that the
same privilege that was by law extended
to the army be conferred upon the navy,
and the means be given to remove these
charges, by making permanent the pro-
vision of the act of August ii. 1883. The
judge advocate general also sees no valid
reason why sailors should not have the
privilege Of retirement enjoyed by the SOL
diers and marines, and he says that legis-
lation to that end would prove an incentive
to men to make good records and add to
the general efficiency of the service.
The evils that follow the absence of some
law that will secure the testimony of
civilians before naval court-martials are
set out at length, and II is urged that, II
the court itself Is not to have the power
to compel such testimony. II will be suffi-
Gent to authorize 1t to certify to the near
est United States court a recusant witness,
In order that he might be punished as II
the offense had been committed against
the United States court itself
1t is recommended that the present double
system of examining officers for promotion
and then for retirement be done away with.
and that in its place there be a single board
charged with both functions, examination
for promotion and retirement.
lnasmuch as the great changes which
have taken place in naval architecture in
ft H., II
carry out the provisions of laws respect
ing the classification of vessels. ii is sug-
gested that steps be taken to secure such a
modification of the requirements OF the law
as Will render IL applicable to present con-
ditions. Doubtless the classification of
naval vessels upon the basis of tonnage
would prove satisfactory.
Two important changes i'm the policy of
the department affecting sentences imposed
by summary courts-martial have recently
been made. The first of these discourages
the imposition by summary courts, except
in extreme cases, of the maximum depriva-
ton of full rations allowed by the regula-
tons. where the sentence of solitary con-
hnement, in irons. on bread and water is
imposed. This order was issued because
the department had noted the frequency
with which sentences involving the allow
ance of a full ration for every fifth day
only were imposed, and courts were coun-
seled to restrict this form of punishment
In all ordinary cases to shorter interval
Another important change from which
good results are expected is that recently
promulgated in which the attention of all
persons required to perform duty i'm con-
nectlon with summary courts-martial is
called to the undesirability of the IMPOSE
ton or approval of sentences involving
extra police duties, except in particularly
aggravated cases. This order was issued
by the department after consultation with
and report from a number of officers of
rank and experience in the service who
were almost unanimously of the opinion
that sentences involving extra police duties
In addition to other punishments are I'M
satisfactory in practice and exert in some
deSree a demoralizing influence upon the
discipline of the service resulting In the
continuous nagging of the offender and
imposing upon those supervising the execu-
non OF such sentences constant and bur-
densome watchfulness