The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-11-26

Il. For readjustment of the numbers
in the different grades Of the construction
IS. For the retirement of officers who
served creditably during the civil war IN
the next higher grade
IS. For change in the title OF naval
cadet TO that of m.dshipman.
-: That the course at the naval academy
be decreased from six to four years.
IS. For the appointment of 100 warrant
machinists.
''a. That the pay of the new line of the
navy shall be the same that of officers
OF the marine corps or infantry OF the army.
10 That the term OF enlistment be in
creased to four years. and that all enlisted
men OF the navy shall have all the privi-
leges now granted by law to enlisted men
OF the army and marine corps.
IL. Fer a reorganization Of the marine
corps,
This measure. I: is believed. meets the
views Of the great body of naval officers.
Its essential fairness is recognized by all
and in the opinion OF the department its
enactment will result in incaicuable bene-
III 10 the service.
The afnalgamation of the officers Of the
line and engineer cor.Ys is A natural evolu-
ton, and involves no radical departure In
the education OF officers. IL removes causes
OF friction and jealousy: It makes officers
~ the line CAPABLE OF performing duty in
tho engine room as well as on deck. and
officers of the engineer force capable Of
taking a turn Of watch duty or fighting the
ship should 1t become necessary.
The additional number of officers which
Il provides is less than was asked for by
the department in its last annual report,
bur this deficiency IL is believed will he
made up by the provision authorizing the
appointment Of warrant machintsts.
'"rhe provision with regard 10 the naval
academy course viii result. IN the inme-
Giate commissioning of the two classes now
1T sea. and the shortening Of the term 10
four years Will make constant and uni
form increase OF about 10 per cent. in the
number Of graduates from that insiitu-
ton.
Il, Is better If ali officers who go irto
the service have the education OF the naval
academy The volunteer officers appoint
u! for the war with Spain have rendered
valuable services. Ia, IL Is necessary 10
consider .he fact tha; they were not -
WAYS capable % performing al the duties
of the trained cfficer who. IN addition to
graduating from the naval academy. had
the h<nsflt OF continued service ami ex peri
eace 81 the special line Of naval work.
The naval officer OF today must not
alone have a knowledge % seamanship and
navigation ID; IuS: d. trained in the tech
nic&Ajies Il electrical engineering. ord
aucs tha use Of the torpedo. 90 grounded
in higher mathematics. and familiar with
;ae customs and practices or the service n
its associations with foreign naval and ly-
l1matic representatives. He nIzst be a
MANIFESTED rsn. ready al the orders OF
the department % take Up any branch q
duty and perform IL inEeil;gently- The Of
1cers who come into me service from civil
he, vntls fsl of zeal aud energy. nscessar-
fly lack :he training and experience which
qualify them - perform many OF thssa
duties. Congress. IN lie act sGtaeEs xiEl4Z
appointments frofn evil life. limited such
appointments 10 tEs PERIOD of ihe egzlarz-
eacy created by the war wi;n Spain, The
I2I11<-- - a1.-9-s aow allowed BY lAw Is