New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-01-13

they wanted. while their extreme advocacy OF the
present plan has at least made II appear that their
desire for the mere military name Is so great that.
10 gain the latter. they are willing 10 destroy the
individuality OF their corps.
This assertion Is wholly contrary TO the facts In
the The records OF the Board which drafted
the Personnel bill show that the engineer onicers
came before st with proposition FOR an adequate
increase in their corps for positive rank. and for
military tltle-not in place OF. but in connection
with. the professional title Thus II this PROPOSE
ton had prevailed an engineer officer. whose rank
was that OF lieutenant would have been addressed
officially as Lieutenant John Smith. Engineer
Corps. United States Navy" The change pro-
posed simply the system which has existed
for years and without friction in the staff corps
Of the Army. The records OF the Board show.
however. that the line members. a body. voted
against the proposal thus defeating It; and that
line officer. Captain Robley d. Evans offered In
lieu OF II the proposition for amaEamstion OF the
bi. Amalsamation IT, then, line proposition
and there is evidence to prove that the extreme
ceeds tina. Of their brothers Of the line 4 little
experience In Washington on this point would give
Mr.. Benjamin then proceeds 70 attack the reason
Ing Of the various writer's who. In the December
Gated the passage OF this bill.
THE PROVISION AGAINST sTAGNATION.
Mr. Benjamins views the section OF the bill
which provides against gnation In promotion
are on par>yith his statements as 10 amalgama-
ton Althoul1h II r. the product Of careful thought
by some OF the most distinguished officers Of the
Navy he describes II 80 bare OF ingenuity that
very little comment on II is necessary. and COM
pares II to the Tammany process OF throwing
out" He admits the stasnation in certain grades
but argues against the retirements which are
necessary 10 remove H. and objects to the expense
thereby entailed. II Is useless to attempt an
answer 10 such statements IL need only be said
that proper flow Of promotion is produced. in
all great navies but own. by retlrements FOR
in various grades that the expense entailed
by these retiremen,s the price these nations pay
for securing officers OF command rank In fun men,
tai and physical vgor and that the scheme pro-
posed IN the Personnel bill selecting certain ofl-
Gers TO be retired. not Others 10 be adyanced)
eliminates many Objectionable features which at
tend the systems prevailing In other navies.
Mr. Benjamin closes his article with rema k
able argument In favor OF the passage OF the BILL.
which Is, In effect that far hs "observa-
ton has extended the majority OF line officers
favor IL only because 1T IS the only measure In
support OF which the Navy has ever been united -
This. ne says. is probably true. and because OF
this contention and this contention only. II IL he
accepted as sound. the bill should pass. This con-
tenton. II may be remarked is In effect charge
Sampson, Commodore Melville. Captain Evans and
Commander Wainwright have deliberately drafted
and are advocating bill which sacrifices the best
interests OF the Navy and the Nation 70 the At
,ainment OF harmony and the removal Of stasna,
ton IN naval promotion Mr. BENJAMIN would
have far 10 seek In our country to-day 10 find be-
levers in the charge which his words imply
against such men AISTON c. DAYTON,
Representa- I'D West Virginia District
House Of representatives Washington. Jan T.