Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-11-23

unsuited to perfOTIn the duties that of ne
cessity fall to the bluejacket. Men who
had been Jerks lawyers. professional men,
while they might have been able to camp
on shore and look out for themselves and
their surroundings, found it d much differ
ent matter on beard a crowded ship where
only thorough understanding of how 20
make the best of everything would make
their position bearabIe. These men were
landsmen; they were not seamen in either
the general or particular sense of the
word. All. as was expected, had to be put
through a thorough course of drill; even
the officers, with exceptiOnS-principaly
Naval Academy graduates-were found to
be unqualified to act as instructors"
The Naval Militia.
Captain Crowninshield does not wish to
be understood as undertaking the zeal of
these men, but simply desires to point to
fatal defects in the system. He shows
that difficulties were also experienced in
mastering the men in, the department hav-
ing no right to call upon them, and they,
having no responsibility to the Navy De
partment, are not subject TO orders.
Therefore, the bureau recommends the
passage of the Cummings bill. which pro-
VideS in substance for appropriation for the
naval militia an entirely different basis.
This would provide for the creation of the
national naval reserve, entirely under the
control of the department. recruited from
the seafaring classes. who would be COM
PEELED to serve in war times under penalty
of descTtion. The men would be required
to report once a year for drill, for which
they would receive one months pay.
The bureau call attention to the need of
Il change in legislation in regard to promo
tons of officers on account of gallantry in
action or extraordinary heroism. The law
as it now stands provides reward when
can only be given at The expense of other
officers. The bureau urges that Congress
be requested to enact legislation which will
provide a suitable reward. such as medal
of honor. which could be given to an officer
without working to the detriment of others,
who. while they may have had no oppor-
tunity to particularly distinguish them
selves. have. nevertheless. performed faith
full ami valuable duty. and should not be
compelled to lose in rank and pay by becom
ing stepping stones for others.
Coast Signal Service.
The suggestion of the superintendent of
the coast signal service that that service
be made a permanent institution is approx
ed on the ground that it will afford skele-
ton at small cost around which a highly
efficient service could be promptly built up
upon the outbreak of war.
In referring 10 the immense correspond
ence of the bureau during the war it is
stated that probably one hundred persons
can claim that the sinking of the Merrimac
at Santiago was due to their having sug-
Sested i; t. The department.
Inc total number of men in general SerV-
ice IN the navy is - S2S. of which 2026 are
apprentices. OF the whole number of men
IN the service 90 per cent are native-born
and 81 per cent are citizens. OF the re-
mdInder - per cent have declared their in
ten;ion to become citizens The report con-
talnS 10 reference whatever to the now
happlly-ended SampSOn-Schley controversy.