The San Francisco call., 1899-12-04

ever deserved reward more richly-those who took
part In the operations az Santiago. displaying
nary herolsm. have received no recognition
whatever for their great services except the
recommendations for promotion BY the Presi-
uent which have lapsed, not having been acted
upon by the Senate.
The department believes II due TO thes. gal
lant men 10 suggest 20 you that their services
be recognized and equal justice done them. and
that, IN accordance with the statute In such
cases made and provided. you recommend that
mander-in-chief OF the North Atlantic squad
ron and 10 the officers and men under his COM
commander-in-chlef and officers and men OF the
Asiatlc squadron. The North Atlantic squad
ties. including the blockade OF Cuba. cO-opera-
tlon with the army. and the pursuit. blockade
and capture or destruction OF the spanish
squadron under Admiral Cervera. all % which
10 discharged with signal efficiency. 10 was
campaign OF great scope and enormous respons-
Utilities. and was brought TO a successful and
glorious contamination. which terminated the
war by the destruction OF the Spanish
power. II was marked BY unsurpassed preci-
sion. brilllancy and vigOr. That the men who
by such achievements earned their country's
gratitude have received no reward from its
Government Is an omission which u cannot be
doubted will be cordially and generously re-
paired.
II reward by the present system OF promotion
Is abandoned. as above suggested. the depart
rnent renarra ia suggestion assaA-lA4 G4Has.
bill 5OO5. introduced al the last session OF Con-
gress which provides Tor medals OF three
classes-One for conspicuous conduct IN war.
one for extraordinary herolsm and one for gen
eral meritorious service-the first % carry with
II a percentage Of Increase Of pay. based upon
the rank OF the recipient and calculated 20 take
the place Of the Increase which would be the
result OF promotion were that form % reward
continued IL Is believed that such a medal.
worn during life and transmitted az an inherit
ance. will be far more grateful % a deserving
officer than a promotion IN rank az the expense
OF a comrade.
Regarding the Mare Island navy-yard.
the report says:
The Importance OF Ne Mare Island Navy
yard has been greatly increased by our recent
acquisitions IN the Pacific Ocean.
The principal items Of expenditure here dur
ing the pas: year have been for re-
earthquake. OF the $500 appropriated
FOR this purpose yI45. $50 was spent during the
past fiscal year. Other improvements have
included coal cylinders and coal-handling
plants. storage shed FOR lumber. plumbers. ..
timers and paint shop. shelter roof FOR boats.
wharf for the receiving ship. extension % elec-
tric system and waShhouse and drying room.
Provision has been made IN the apDr0pfia-
tlons FOR the current fiscal year for the further
extension OF the quay wall the extension and
renewal Of the railroad facilities. an additional
storehouse for supplies and accounts. for new
shops for the Bureaus Of Construction and
Repairs. Steam Engineering and Equipment
for dredging the channel and anchorage
ground. for grading. for moving back the ferry
slip. for storehouse for equipment materials
and number Of other minor matters.