New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-27
PROMOTIONS IN THE NAVY.
Continued from first pngc.


that occasion.
CRITICISM BY a PROMINENT OFFICER.
The matter is now officially before the Navy
Department. which has TO consider the follow
ing dispass.onate criticism from one Of the most
prominent officers OF the service:
IN view OF the recent advancement in rank,
not exceeding eight numbers, Of certain officers
Of the Navy in acco. dance with existing law.
authorizing promotions outside Of promotions
by seniority, respectfully bring to your atten-
ton the effect such advancements have upon
other officers OF the Navy. who owing TO certain
conditions were not fortunate enough 10 have
been engaged on such duty 20 give them an
opportunity TO receive the same consideration
The existing law particularly referred 20 is en-
bodied in two sections. which read as follows
Section Los. Any officer Of tho Navy may
bv and with the advice and consent OF the
Senate he advanced not exceeding thirty num-
beers in rank. for eminent and conspicuous con
duct IT. battle or extraordinary heroism. ana the
rank Of officers shall not be changed except IN
accordance with the provisions OF existing law
and hy and with the consent Of the senate
Sec ! JO1 Any officer who Is nominated 70
a higher grade by tho provisions OF me lfe,rd-
ing section shall be promoted. notwithstanding
the number - said grade may be full, but no
further promotions shall take place In that
grade except FOR Ike cause. until the number
is reduced o. that provided ny law
The operation Of the law as embodied IN
these two sections Is such as 10 work great dis
ADVANTAGE 10 those Of GERS over whom the fortu-
mite ones are advanced II would seem that
50 me law might he enacted by which the Gov
ornmen, could reward officers for such conduct
as srec!hcd in Section LOS without injuring
their brother officers.
Owing to the advancement OF Commodores
Sampson and Schley from he grade 81 comm dore
to rear-admiral. and the advancemen; OF some
Of the captains several numbers in their grade
and ~ Section Lou a
many officers who had looked forward TO Their
promotion due 10 retirement have suddenly
found that they have been set back in their pro-
motion from about one month 10 about one year
which is Of course. a pccunary loss 10 them
commensurate with the delay in their promo
ton.
THE LAWS CURIOUS WORKINGS
"A curious and somewhat anomalous effect ~
the operation OF this law has J en 70 set back
officers who we're promoted 10y the operation Of
the same law. for instance. Captain Frank
Wildes. who las advanced five numbers FOR his
conduct at the battle OF Manila, now finds that
one Of those numbers has been taken away from
him hv the advancement of Captain II. G Tay-
!or for his conduct Al IN" battle * Santiago. ~
Ave numbers in his grade. which places him
above Captain WIG :. The sam" - true y
Captain - + Lamberton. who was also ad-
yanc.d certain num1ors for his conduct al the
battle OF Manila, AMI who now finds that he has
lost one 81 them by the Advancement ~ Captain
In Natural los.c Of such action. II carried +.
the extreme conclusion. might cause both zap
tain Wndes and Captain Lamherton 90 lose al
the Advancement that they received FOR conduct
n Manila and even 20 he placed on IN" Navy
llst below the ~ Ynber they had hrf r. stch al-
vaucerrcnt This ! mink fnrcibly reminds one
- tho game commonly known among schoo. h'3s
as lcapfrog. but The most harsh ana disastrous
effect Of all In such cases think. would Dc i..i
10y Captain Merrill Miller ana captain &. VI
Chester bv officers having been placed over
then. In compliance with tho statutes re.crr"d
70. Previous 80 tho Advancement - the oHlcers
who took part lu The BATE" % santiago. "'-h
Cautafrs Miller End Chester. 10 III" ordinary
course - events due 80 retirement would nave
reached the grade = read- admiral on ~" active
list and. in consequence. would nav" f"if'l
upon reaching he age ~ sixty-two as such
with three four;hs - the pay ~ that grade.
which would have amounted o. Si"' year i'
each case owing 20 the Advancement men
toned they Will IN due course. reach IN" graz"
Z commodore and VII never reach the graH'
o, rear admiral. thus nrc"ss'inting their retire
ment upon becoming siNty-t~o years ~ hsc az
c0urnodores with the ANNUAL Iay ~ S".t'p
This makes a difference m 'he'r retired pay ~
$50 a year very grea; loss for any naval o.
Hcer % suffer
HARDSHIP FOR OFFICERS FAMILIES
TT should be borne In mind. IN this connec-
ton that whenever a person reaches he az"
% sixty-two years the Insurance COMPANIES
prsdict tina, the chances are he will live twelve
cation II VIII he seen hat tnese officers and
their families upon the Heath Il thes" men. VIII
have lost $500 each This Is "A very larg'
sum OF money FOR the dependent fanny - JOS.
and this seems particularly hard when u ~
realized that the officers advanced would nave
reached the grade - rear admiral wltn"u' su' =.
advancement. and. IN c'nsrlu'h nc dlu ne, ~,
the advancement 20 give them IN" prlVlI'E" Ii
receiving the 'same amount 81 money which
those passed over a-c obliged 20 lose In We"
~ this | think there can be- no DOUBT ina
no
,h4 enactment by Congress - some law "nlch
could recompense officers .or gallant conHur'
In BATH without deprivirg other des"rNing .'
ncers who were not 50 foriunai" as 10 hhNt '''c
same opportunity. Of expected compensation
SUBSTITUTE WAYS OF PROMOTION
"Of course there are several ways Of bring
ing this about and would simply mention one
or two. which possibly. might be worthy Oh
consideration by the Department The iirsi step
would he the annulnlent ~ Sections l."r' ana
| Jn7. and In lieu thereof. enact som" IA" ma
would give an officer for conduct as merits su'h
consideration as the sections refcr TO- SAY. d
medal ~ honor. which would b" very lear Z. IN ,tr
heart Of an officer of the naval prof"ssiuh I'M
medal Of course could be- worn upon the nrchs'
on such occasions as other medals are now au
thorlzed TO be worn. with TINS nedai s"uuIu
go I think some pecuniary consideration, say
a increas. Of 10 per cent OF the highest sea pay
OF his rank or the grade 10 which he may be az
vanced. as long az ne might I'VE laH'hN IN
average age Of the captains now upon the actNe
ust and taking the length ~ time estimated nI
insurance companies which they are supposed
IN live II would amount % something less thah
tho amount shown TO be lost by certain ofhcers
duo 10 having been jumped over
THE laws as embodied in Sections Lows ana
I 100 relating 70 promotions due to having re-
J celved the thanks ~ Congress. are shtisiactory
7 ,bink 10 the service Section l.4iO. relating
N tho retirement OF officers who have received
the thanks OF Congress. should think be
changed so as 10 cover the thanks OF C'hsrtss
,ece,ved during the period Of any war, as the
wording OF the law. II now stands only I'M
plies to the war for the suppression OF the Re
bellion.
I'm conclusion | beg TO state that these are
only suggestions upon my part. but are maze
with the hope that by bringing them 10 the al
,eution OF the Department. II such action should
-. ..i.h ,,nnr q nrrnral ench leglslnti might