The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-08-24
Inequitable Naval Promotions.


the inequitable system of promotions
obtaining in the navy the advancement
of one officer for meritorious service
is made at the expense of other officers
who have done nothing to deserve q
setback. This was illustrated in the
awards of promotion made by the
president after the naval battle of San
tiago. whereby the advancing of Samp-
sons captains pushed back Dewey's
captains in two cases two numbers
each and in two other cases one num-
ber each. To appreciate what this
means it is necessary to understand
that promotion in the navy from grade
to grade is determined by number.
The officer highest in rank and senior
ity is number 1; the one next him is
number 2, and SO on down. When
number l retires, number . becomes
number l, number becomes number
. and so on down. The arbitrary ad-
vancement of an officer from, say,
number 20 to number 10 means simply
that numbers 10, Is, II and 16 are dis
criminated against; that they have to
pay for their brother officers advance
ment. AS a naval officer in letter to
the New York Herald puts it:
THE latest case is that of the COM
manding officer of the Winslow, ad-
vanced ten numbers. The government
orders the advancement, the ten men
jumped do the rest Practically each
one of them has been ordered to give
Lieutenant Bernadou a note for about
S601, payable in portions. at the dates
of promotion to the different higher
grades. This amount is computed on
the basis of promotions for 1897. No
one questions Lieutenant Bernadou' s
gallantry; that his boat was shot very
full of holes, and that those on board
had an awful time of it until hauled
out of the fire by the Hudson. But con-
slider the men jumped. one on the Bal
timore and another on the Concord
commanded a couple of the gun divis-
ions whose terrific fire wiped out the
Spanish fleet at Manila. Another, in
the same capacity on the Texas, took
part in that wonderful running fight at
to be required by their government To
hand over S60l out of a meagre salary?
Their reward must be that of the gen.
eral service. Not serving in command
rank, they can expect no other. And
others of the ten, rolling and pitching
on the Havana blockade, sweltering in
this tropical heat, doing the work cut
out for them cheerfully and we'll, with
out complaint. Why should they con.
tribute $601 when the government is
much better able to do it?"
1t should be stated that in makine
promotions after this fashion the presi-
dent is fully conscious of the injustice
it works but under the law has no 9th.
er way to signify his own and the ma,
| tons appreciation of specially brilliant
service. The administration has tried
| repeatedly to secure from congress leg
| islation placing promotions on a fairel
| basis, but until recently congress PAID
scant attention to naval matters ant
| probably did not appreciate the i'm
| portance of the administrations re
| quest Two notifications of the Jump
| ing system of promotions are suggest,
ed-one that the president be empower
ed to reward conspicuous gallantry by
issuance of medals of honor; the othe
that he be given authority, within rea.
sonable limits, to increase the pay o
men specially meritorious, such in
crease to be a certain percentage add
ed to their salaries during active ser
vice and good behavior. This woulC
recognize good work but not punish
other men probably just as capable bu
not having equal chance to gain dis
tinction.
Undoubtedly this matter will be takei
up by congress at its first opportunit,
and adjusted properly.