The evening times., 1899-01-26
THURSDAY. JANUARY %, 1899.
The Navy Ring.

The navy personnel bill has passed lhe
House and The Times has no disposition
10 obstruct its course in the Senate. Inc
importance of the measure is all that mas
been affirmed and its merits are such as 10
appeal to the good sense of the majority IN
that body. But fl is 10 be hoped that,
without placing the bin in peril, its con-
sideration in the Senate will be made the
occasion for an inquiry into the conduct
and power of that autocraic institution.
the Bureau of Navigation. for whose report
on the Sampson promotions the Senators
are now waiting. II is the most surprls-
ing and apparently the most inhuentlal
bureau in Government administration
and its functions appear TO be both eAecu-
tive and legislative. Naval officers who
have cut their eye teeth seek the favor. not
OF the Secretary OF the Navy or of the
President when their ambition becomes
strenuous. but the Bureau of Navigation,
which is greater than either II has no
superlative titles and is not recognized as
a distinct department of the Government
II even seems to be mOdestly rated as a
bureau under the control of the Navy De-
psriment In fact. however. il is the Navy
Department. with a mysterious authority
in both houses of Congress. The Presi-
dent ratifies its actions as mere form
and without question. As matter OF
curiosity. it would be worth while 10 en-
uuire into this strange concern.
There are other reasons. however. that
make il important for the Senate to take
advantage of this opportunity TO learn
about the manner in which promotions,
changes. assignments, and so on, are made
for the navy. The fact that a majority OF
the Senators are indignant over the un-
deserved advancement of certain ofhcers
al the expense of others encourages the
hope that the mysterious influence Will be
revealed. 1t is known that the Bureau of
Navigation has its favorites in the depart
ment and among the officers of the navy;
that these favorites are sure of advance
ment regardless of their deserts, and that
those who have lacked the wisdom or the
sycophancy TO cultivate its good will are
held back and assigned TO inferior and un-
comfortable stations. Ii has brought within
its coils every person Of influence in the
Navy Office. They have much 10 gain by
banding together. They confuse the Sec
retary of the Navy. and by their manage
ment of the reports prevent him from
knowing anything il is 10 their advantage
10 conceal from him. He finds that busi-
ness runs more smoothly when he does
not pry into things Therefore. after
few brief tussles. he succumbs. and of
course. the President with him.
An instance of its shrewd and effective
management is the case of Sampson and
Schley. The former was bureaucrat long
enough to become valued member OF the
inner circle and when he went into watery
service he was assured of the loyalty and
support of the society. The Secre-
Iary and the President were told many
reasons, not very clear, why Sampson
should be advanced over Schley. Rather
Than have trouble in the family the Sec
retary gave in and the President. taking
il for granted there was just cause, gave
in also. We have the whole process
shown in the Senate discussion. The
friends of Schey were told that they
should be very careful; that if they per
sisted in demanding explanations, their
man might suffer. There was nothing
in H. but usually this method has suficed.
As a matter of fact, Sampson is the man
who Will suffer if the facts are all brought
out The strength of the Bureau of Navi-
cation has been in keeping everything
dark and making mysterious hints.
The friends of Schley have nothing to
fear The facts should be brought out that
Sampson was advanced ever Schley for
no other reason than the favor of this
clique He was protected and promoted
when he should have been put on trial for
the unready condition of his ships when
Cervera came out. The man himself is to
blame for being willing to accept honors
that belong to another. but more to blame
is the bureau that runs the navy, includ-
ing the Secretary. and runs Congress and
lhe President in relation to all naval mat
ters 1t has become a scandal, and it is
grossly and cruelty unjust to the men
who have made the navy glorious by
their personal valor. If Dewey had been
a bureau favorite he would have been re-
Rarded long ago 1t happens that he is
such a conspicuous hero that he cannot be
pulled down, but when it was proposed to
reward him properly the Bureau of Nav
igation got in its mysterious influence and
had included in the Dewey bill the creation
OF a new berth for Sampson. The thing
smells 10 heaven and should be exposed
fumigated, and abolished.
No Trouble in Cuba