New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-09-18
NEW PLAN OF PROMOTION.
INTENDED TO REMEDY INJUSTICE TO
NAVAL OFFICERS.
THE SCHEME DEVISED BY CAPTAIN DIcKINs AND
APPROVED BY SECRETARY LONG.

THE SCHEME DEVISED BY CAPTAIN DIcKINs AND
APPROVED BY SECRETARY LONG.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrNEl
Washington, Sept 11.-SO general and wide
srread have the objections raised by the Navy
against the existing system Of rewardng OIL
GERS for bravery and conspicuous conduct III
battle become that there IS every propaDlhty
that the present law will be repealed at the
next session Of Congress and one substituted
embodying features which have been drawn by
the legal department OF the Navy at the direc-
ton of Secretary Long. The new bill contem-
plates rewards without injuring other officers
through loss OF numbers and ultimately
Of promotion and pay. and does away entirely
with the allotment OF numbers and the jumping
process incident to them a plan that has
worked much hardship to a number Of high
ranking officers. and robbed them Of promo
tions that they would have gained In the ordi-
nary course Of advancement.
The new scheme is the production Of Captain
Dcklns of the Navigation Bureau. and receives
the full approval Of the Secretary Of the Navy.
BY the established rules Of the service, when
for any cause an officer goes off the active hst.
every officer junior 20 that officer moves up one
number and the senior officer in each grade be-
comes entitled to promotion to the next highest
grade from the day after the date OF the separa-
ton OF the retiring officer from active service
Therefore. II the senior rear admiral dies or re-
tires every officer OF the line changes posl'oh
in consequence The rear admiral who was NO.
. becomes No. l. and the ensign who was No. isl
becomes No. $50. leaving the vacant place at the
foot OF the ensGns grade. OF this there APP
pears 10 be no question, and so long as pro-
motions result from the usual causes. and each
grade contains only the authorized number or
officers there is no difficulty in determining the
precise effect Of each retirement, death or resS-
nation.
ARGUMENT FOR THE NEW PLAN.
The statement approved by the Secretary con-
tains the following argument in its favor:
Section 100 recognizes the system Of numbering
he extent Of advancement shall be designaied
by numbers Thus. ar officer VINO IS NO. 10 III n, ms
ora lie would II advanced five numbers. become NO
IN the same grade; II advanced hiNe uulhperS .
h would become the junior olcer OF tne ne" *
higher grade, that being thc place. mex aoN al, U
of his previous grade Now, II but one ofilceer
il advanced or is advanced and promoted, std
there is no difficulty In determining the effect upon
other officers. but when there are many advance
date, and especially wher officers advanced stahn
80 near tocct her as 10 affect each other by their
rgspScivg b Iadyncemens Shall be made simu
taneously In the order OF seniority OF othe'-
70 prevent the appearance Of dlscrmiInatlo93
there should be- uniform rule The possiplllty Ei
officers
each take the same number would be soon sum
Gent TO prevent the adoption Of the plan Of max,
ing al advanccments ultaneousE. VIM" vi rm'
danger of discrimination. uuntcntionaUy. or course
might be- considered suficicn, reason for not look
ing 10 the Executive for special direction IN each
cas- The rule Of seniority seems to be favored
hv the general customs OF tho service 10y gem a.
is always first considered Therefore It would
appear to bee entirely proper that IN ihah,s an
should first take MS place. and consequently
his now number. and that all other officers affected
and numbers respectively II the officer advanced
goes from one grade 70 another, tht promo'ip2h
regular course Then let the next senior oi'cer
be advanced be moved up and again let AK bi
their now places and numbers, and so on thr0ush
the list BY This rue me 'n.,loi y, oa ~,
hui In the cases 81 officers recently advanced
,,,t1 ,.,rk ort p, condition which Is probably not
anticipated. that is. the promotion or captain PICK
,rg me- well as captain Higginson TO commodore
NJ s,ur senior of,lrcrs 10 be- advanced were Com
,oodore cohlev six numbers. Commodore Sampson,
SIX numbers. CAPTAIN Philip. hve numbers. ana
Gep,air Hlrginson three numbers
SnS take IN The nrst case OF Commodore schley
hc being the senior officer 20 be advanced By
The terms OF Commodore schey's adyanceinents
FORE" took his place next af,er Admiral iIow",L a
grade which Captain Philip. being No ! on the lst
. captains. was entitled 20 tAke. ne rass o,
Commodore Sampson. next IN seniority SHOWS that
MS advancement lcnvoT another vacancy IN tho
Grade OF commodore. and this vacancy captain
This anu other caaes thst might be cited seem 20
be- The true effect Of he Advancement or me senior
officers on the lis; Of recent advancenenis cap
tain Picking. after once becoming entitled 20
take a place In the coWmodore's grade. should
not ho Invested OF his right by the subsequent
adyaucern~nts - officer below him. especially
IA. the statute expressly states that officer adj
tLureI under Section l.iof and carried over into
higher grade shall take MS place there. not
wi'hs'ardug the number 81 said grade may he
full"
with existing law for the Department IN making
these promotions 20 adhere 20 the rule or seniority
II thc department should approve OF this RUE IT,. Il
would be- necessary 70 issue commission as com
modore 20 Captain Picking dated August ~ Iast;
Nc. Commodore Sampson promoted This would
change the navy list as now determined by the
Department.