Evening star., 1899-03-13

ahead of Picking in the list of commodOreS
All the commodores were made rear admi-
rails by the personnel bill. Admiral Higgin-
son stands No. ii in the list. But for his
promotion for war services he would stand
II. In either case he is in the second di-
vision of rear admirals. having the CORE
spending rank and pay of briyadicr gem
erals of the army.
Secretary Longs Acknowledgement.
Secretary Long replied to Admiral Hig-
gnson follows:
"WilI you let me express my high ap-
probation of your very handsome and con-
siderate conduct IN asking to resume your
former number on the navy list rather
than to accept the advancement which
places you above other officers who for
their gallant services in the recent war.
deserved recognition. but failed to receive
ii, owing to the failure of the Senate to
act upon the recommendations sent in by
the Presid: mt The spirit which you man
i1est is so admirable that l hasten to write
you this letter.
The action on the part of the admiral
will not, in ali probability change the
status of other officers. Officers of the
department hold that inasmuch as the
Senate has already confirmed his nominal
ton and assented to the advancement, he
is by law in that grade and consequently
cannot be reduced to his former position
by the Secretary Of the Navy without a
specific act of Congress.
Admiral Higginson was promoted to Ad-
miral Schlay's place in the list of commo-
dores by advancement for gallantry and
~ ompty confirmed by the Senate. 1t was
held that unless Admiral Schley was con-
firmed by the Senate as rear admiral
he would be forced out of the navy, as
his place had been filed by the promotion
of Higginson. The Sampson -Schley con-
trOversy is directly responsible for the
failure of the Senate to confirm the officers
who wera recommended for promotion by
reason of their conduct during the war.
Will BE Referred to Congress.
In answer to the inquiry to what he
proposed to do in reference to the manly
request of Rear Admiral Higginson, Sec
retary Long today said that the officer s
action was no empty form. While nothing
could he done now, and as Higginson meant
what he said. he Qong) as Secretary of
the Navy would call the attention of Con-
gress to the matter with view to having
such Legislation passed, that, if the other
officers are not advanced, Higginson would
be restored to his place.
Lieut.. Wards ScIf-DeninI
Another similar case is that of Lieut..
Aaron Ward, who was recommended by
the board Of promotions for advancement.
On learning of this he wrote to the de-
partment declining advanc ement inasmuch
as it gave him precedence over his class
mate Lieut.. Staunton, stating that he did
not feel that his actions in which his yes
sci was engaged were of so great value
as to justify him in aVailing himself of
the opportunity.
1T is impossible" said he for me will
ingly to accept q promotion which might
deprive such an officer of a commission
in the highest grade
The recomm andation made by the board
of promotions in the case of Lieut. Ward
was not sent in to the Senate all the pro-
motions recommended by that board hay-
ing been held back to wait the result of
those which have been pending since the
opening of the session and which the SEN
ate adjourned without confirming.
The question raised is regarded with
much interest by the officials of the de-
partment. and it viii likely be referred
TO Judge Advocate Lemly for decision.
l he question is whether or not the Navy
Department can force an officer to ac-
cept promotion. and whether it can be
declined after having been confirmed by
the Senate.