Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-01-26
SOLDIER AND SAILOR
The Former Better Treated by Con-
gress Than the Latter.
DISCRIMINATION AGAINST JACKIES
Secretary Long Drafts Bill in the
Interests of Justice.
NAVAL MILITIA ENLISTMENT

For some reason not clear TO the lay mind
the enlisted men of the army always seem
to fare better at the hands of Congress
than their brethren of the navy Whether
Intentional or not greater consideration is
sshewn for the men who fight the battles of
-fhe country land than is. the case with
cfhe enlisted men who serve it on the sea,
This apparent discrimination was never
more manifest than in the case of the men
who volunteered in the service of their
country during the Spanish war. The SOL
diers We're provided with clothing at the ex-
pense of the government, while the sailors
had to pay for heirs. Again, when peace
was practically concluded the volunteers of
the army, when discharged, We're granted
from one to two months additional pay
and were mustered out whenever possible
at the place of their enrolment, thus pro-
viding them with transportation to their
homes at government expense In all cases
where ii was found ineXpedient to grant the
additional pay direct, the same purpose was
practically accomplished by furloughing the
men for one or two months before dis
charge. All the volunteer troops who sery-
ed outside of the United States We're given
two months extra pay, and those who Were
not called upon to leave the United States
were given one months additional paw
Treatment of Volunteer BIuejackets.
iic tItdiILeill bl Inc volunteer Dlue1ack-
cts was altogether different. With but few
exceptions they were discharged outright at
the close of the war and were compelled to
get home the best way they could. They
were not furloughed, nor did they receive
extra compensation of any kind
As q special favor, some of the members
OF the Naval Reserve of Illinois, when dis
charged, We're granted a few days leave
of absence, just sufficient to enable them TO
proceed from the port of debarkation to
Chicago, thus enabling them 20 save the
expense OF their transportation home. So
Tar as known, the Navy Department did
not exercise the same discretion in the
matter Of granting leaves of absence in the
case OF any other naval volunteers. AL
though It vas contended by some naval
officers that The department had ample
authority TO grant leaves of absence in such
cases for thirty days at least, no effort was
made to take advantage of it. 1t is said
that the departments failure to act in this
matter was due to representations from the
chief of the bureau of navigation as to its
doubtful legality,
Extra Pay for Volunteer Bluejackets
In order to secure equal justice in this
matter. Secretary Long has prepared the
draft of a bill providing for extra pay to
officers and enlisted men of the volunteer
force of the navy. This bill provides:
That the officers and enlisted men COM
prising the temporary force of the navy
during the war with SpaiR, who served
creditably beyond the limits of the United
States. and who have been or who may
hereafter be discharged. shall be paid two
months extra pay, and all such officers and
enlisted men of the navy who have so
served within the limits of the United
States, and who have been or may here
after be discharged, shall be paid one
months extra pay.
Secretary Long has transmitted copies of
this bill to the chairmen of the Senate and
House committees on naval affairs, with
letter recommending the bill to the favor
able consideration OF the committees.
Action ON the Army Taken.
In his letter the Secretary says:
"a measure making like provision for the
volunteer officers and men of the army
Oh. r. 1124S) unanimously passed the House
on the 9th instant and the Senate on the
9TH instant, and was approved January IL.
1t has not been the custom Of this depart
ment to grant to officers and men leave of
absence before discharge, but all are dis
charged upon their arrival home or as soon
thereafter practicable. Nearly all those
comprising the temporary force of the navy
have been discharged, and would not be en-
titled 20 the benefits of the proposed meas
ure did it's provisions not extend to those
that have been heretofore. we'll as those
that may be hereafter. discharged. These
officers and men rendered efficient and VAL
uable service to the government, AID merit
the same favorable consideration as has
been extended TO those OF the army. Civ
ing to the volunteer army, for similar sery-
ice, privileges that are withheld from the
navy Is discrimination against the latter
class, whose services deserve the highest
consideration
The omission of mention of the Marine
Corps in this bill is explained by the fact
that there were no volunteers enlisted in
that branch of the military service.
Enlisted From the Naval Militia.
During the war about 4,000 officers and
men were added to the force of the navy
through enlistment from the naval militia