The Elbert County tribune., 1898-12-01
REPORT OF THE NAVY
SECRETARY LONGS RECON-.
MENDATiONS.
he onerr Advice On Reorgnnisatton--Ne
ships wanted-sampsona and sohiey.

NuruiiHtVhs ~ ~ WV - al -
moved from the usual dullness of de-
pnrtment reports is the document just
issued by John ID. Long. secrctnry OF
the navy.
The report teens with interesting
facts for. owing TO It's prominent posi-
ton during the wnr. and its general
importance in connection with the
newly acquired Islands, a narration of
the work of the navy consists almost
of n history OF the nations progress
during the last year
The long awaited official opinion In
regard to the work OF Admirals Schley
and Sampson IL also embodied In the
report. The credit, II is made to ap-
pear. belongs to Admiral Sampson, al
though Secretary Long leaves the read
er to form this induction after showing
tile mistaken idca of Admiral Schley
In regard TO the whereabouts of the
| Spaniards.
Numerous recommendations In re-
gard 10 rewards for naval officers and
the sccretnry's opinion concerning
needed legislation also appear in the
report
In regard TO legislation. Secretary
Long recommends suggestions in the
report of the Judge advocate general
OF the navy that authority be given
naval courts martial and courts of in
| quiry TO summon and obtain the tes-
timony of civilian Witnesses; that ma
val courts be empowered to use depo-
sitions of Witnesses; that secretary be
empowered to remove charge of deser-
tion; that enlisted men be retired after
three years service. examination OF
men for promotion; repeal CT law on
classification of vessels; use by gov
ernment of improvements patented by
naval officers, courts TO fix compensa-
tion.
The secretary further recommends
that the transport service be placed In
charge of the Navy Department The
secretary recommends that the bill
drafted by former Assistant Secretary
Roosevelt be passed.
The bill provides:
/. For the amalgamatlon of the Of
ficcrs Of the line ana the engineer corps
of the navy.
.. For nm Increase of 30 officers In
the new line OF the navy.
.. For n regular and constant flow
OF promotion.
4. For rcadjustncnt OF the num-
bers in the different grades of the con
struction corps.
3. For the retirement of officers who
served crediby during the civil war In
the next higher grade.
O. For change In the title of naval
cadet to that of mldshipman.
Z. That the course at the Naval
academy be decreased from six to four
years.
s. For the appointment of 100 war
rant mnchinsts.
o. That the pay of the new line of
the navy shall be the same as that of
officers OF the Marine corps or infantry
of the army.
10. That the term of enlistment be
increased TO four years. and that all
enlisted men OF the navy shall have all
the privileges now granted by law to
enlisted men of the army ana marine
corps.
IL. For reorganization OF the ma
rine corps.
'This measure" the secretary contin-
ucs, at 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 viii result In lncalcula-
BILE benefit TO the service
Under the caption Rewards of Off,
GERS" Secretary Long says:
The Injustice Of the present system
of rewnrdlng officers for conspicuous
conduct in battle and extraordinary
herolsm is so apparent that the depart
mcnt desires to set before Congress the
facts in full and to recommend
change in the present law ON this sub
ject
"As result of the recent war. GER
tain officers of the navy who deserved
reward, and who under existing law
could have II In no other way, vera
promoted over the heads of their broth
er officers. who, by reason of the ne
cessity of their services on other duty
not less important, had no chance to
participate in the battles of Manila and
Santiago. This worked a hardship in
many cases. and in some instances pre-
vented officers who are os great desert
from the chance of reaching the high
est grade of the navy.
To correct this the department rec
ommends legislation TO the end that
some other system of reward for merit
be adopted, so that in rewarding one
officer injustice shall not be done to
another, and also that in those cases in
which officers have during the present
war been jumped. 1t shall be provided
that this shall not operate to their dis
advantage, and that they shall still
have their regular promotion as before.
Bills have been drawn for both these
objects and will be submitted to Con-
gress'
Toward the end of the report Secre-
tary Long recommends the Increase of
the navy in the following text:
1.-THE navy should be increased; the
development of its various branches
should be homogeneous, and the in
crease In ships should be accomplished
by gradual Increase In officers and
men, and In naval stations. coaling sta
tions, repair plants. etc.
1.-The Naval Bonrd on Construction
fol
IL Three sea-going shaathed and
coppered battlcships Of about 1880
tons trial displacement, carrying the
heaviest armor and most powerful ord
nance for vessels of their class, and to
have the highest practicable speed and
great radius of action. Estimated cost,
exclusive of armor and armament 3d.
100000 each.
80 Three sheathed and coppered
armored cruisers of about 120O0 tons
trial displacement, carrying the heav-
lest armor and most powerful ord
nance for vessels of their class, and to
have the highest practicable speed and
great radius of action. Estimated cost,
exclusive of armor and armament, 81,
100000.
"3. Three shcnthed and coppered
protected cruisers of about 5000 tons
trial displacement; to have the highest
practicable speed and great radius of
action, and TO carry the most powerful
ordnance suitable for vessels of their
class. Estimated cost, exclusive of
armament and armor, 81, 10000 each.
II. -Four sheathed and coppered
cruisers of about $500 tons trial dis
placement; to have the highest speed
compatible with good cruising quail
ties, great radius of action, and to carry
the most powerful ordnance suited to