The San Francisco call., 1898-07-21
JUGGLING WITH PROMOTIONS.

E have repeatedly of late directed attention to \N| the defects of the present system of promotion in the navy, and have pointed out the injus- tlce of moving man up to a higher place on the rank list when that implies not much promotion for him as a reduction of some other officer. The Baltimore Sun now notes specific case which shows the injustice in a striking light. It says: Under existing law there to be way by which a naval officer be rewarded for exceptionally bril- liant service except at the expense of some other officer equally deserving. monstrous instance of this recently occurred. Captain Clark of the battle ship Oregon brought his ship, which designed for such service, about miles, and at the end of that long journey she ready to go into action After performing this great feat Captain Clark found himself lower in rank than when he started on his voy age. This had occurred by of the promotions of the captains at Manila
 Upon case of that kind no comment is necessary The fact itself carries the moral irresstibilty with it. It should be noted, however, that since the Balti- more Sun reviewed the case Captain Clark and the Oregon have accomplished other feats of renown in naval warfare. All reports of the fight off San tiago agree that to him and his batteship the chief glory of the conflict is due Stationed the eastern side of the harbor, the Oregon out of the way when Cervera made his rush for escape to the west ward. Nevertheless by her extraordinary sailing power she passed the Iowa and engaged three Span ish ships, the Teresa the Oquendo and the Vizcaya in turn and mainly by her guns they driven, battered and burning to the shore. Captain Clark however, is still lower in rank in the navy than he was when he started from San Francisco.
 The New York Times argues that Captain Clark's rank will be made up to him when the promotions are passed around for the Santiago fight. That much may be readily admitted, but where will he stand then? If by the promotion he gets he is simply given his former relative rank hew not have been advanced at all. Moreover the Manila heroes after having been put above him, will then be once more placed be- low him, and they also will have no promotion
 It will be seen that the present system is simply process of shufhing. One shufle after the victory at Manila puts Captain Clark down, and another shufle soon to take place will put the Manila men down. The thing is like comic opera than the acts of great nation. There is but one ra- tonal method of dealing with the problem The system of promotions in the navy should be entirely reorganzed. The ranks of admiral and ce-admiral should be restored that there may be absolute motion for the higher officers and the navy persohnel bill should be enacted so that members of the staff and enlisted men may also have chance to rise These things should be required of Congress this winter. They have been postponed too long already.
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 Of course the is somewhat depressing to Sec retary Alger, but his gloom has doubtless been ac- centuated by the necessity for signing his name to paper awarding the contract for beginning work at San Pedro
 Camaras best ship is reported to have been dam aged, but it hasn't thing the matter with it compared with what it will acquire few seconds after meeting