The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-12-04

deliveries viii probably be completed by
April, 1900.
There remain TO be contracted for
1858 tons of arnlor for the Maine, of'o
ana Missouri. These Vessais are 10"
building and it is imperative that their
armor should be contracted Tor cary
in the coming year; to delay ii beyond
that time will in all probability delay
the completion Of the vessels beyond the
contract date of completion. under eA-
listing laws $500 ton may be paid Tor
arrnor ''of a suitable quality for these
vessels; but $500 a ton will not appar-
entity buy the best armor, which Tor
vessels is. of course, the only suitable
armor
, It can be asserted that marked i'm
proy have recently been maze
in the quality of arInor and that the
rnanufsctura of such improved armor.
is now successfully and commercially
carried on both in his country ana
abroad, and that it has been adopted
by all leading maritime nations ex-
cept the United States for their latest
ships of war Its superiority over that
heretofore produced is unquestioned.
and its use is considered an imperative
necessity
It is urgently recommended that in
the early days of it's next session con-
gress enact such special legislation, by
joint resolution or otherwise, as may
De necessary 10 SIdpiS TIE
to make contracts early in the coming
year for 1858 tons Of arrnor of the best
quality that can be obtained in this
country for the Maine, Ohio and Mis-
souri,, and that the provision Of the oct
Of March 3. 1899, limiting the price OF
armor to $500 per ton, and the restric-
ton preventing the arrnored vessels
therein authorized from being con-
tracted for until the arnaor therefor is
contracted for, be removed
/ Whatever may be the future action
of congress regarding the establish
ment of q government arlncry factory,
it can hardly affect the supply of ar
NOR for the Maine, Ohio and Missouri,
as it will under any circumstances be
impra cticable to obtain it from such
source in reasonable time to complete
the vessels above referred to.
Reward of officers.
The department renews its recon-
Inendation Of last year for a change in
the present law for rewarding officers
for conspicuous conduct In battle and
for extraordinary heroisn. The injus-
tice of the present system Is apparent.
The promotion Of an officer over the
heads Of other officers operates as a
reduction of the latter in rank and also
delays them in securing the Increased
pay which accompanies regular rise in
grade. In other words, the promotion
is made not at the expense of the gov
eminent which should bear it, but at
the expense of the unfortunate officers
who are overslaughed and who are
thus punished, although faithful to
every duty and only unfortunate In
lacking the opportunity for conspicuous
conduct or heroism.
The spirit of the navy is so good that
/ am sure this is painful TO the officer
promoted as well as the officer reduced.
The department therefore again urges
that legislation be enacted providing
that advancement in rank for services
rendered during the war with Spain
shall not interfere with the regular pro-
motion of officers otherwise entitled to
promotion, and that officers so ad-
yanced to higher grade by reason of
war service shall be carried as addi-
tional to the numbers in each grade to
which they have been promoted. The
department submitted to congress at its
last session bill substantially to this
effect, which is printed as senate bill
No. 5,006, and to which attention is in
vited.
While those engaged in the battle
of Manila, have been deservedly re-
warded-and no men ever deserved re
ward more richiy-thosc who took part
in the operations at Santiago. display
ing the same conspicuous conduct and
extraordinary heroisr, have received
no recognition whatever for their great
services except the recommendations
, for promotion by the president. which
, have lapsed, not having been acted
upon by the senate.
The department believes it due tt
these gallant men to suggest to yor
that their services be recognized ant
equal justice done them, and that, II
: accordance with the statute in suc}
cases made and provided. you recon-
mend that the thanks Of congress bt
rI nv mr.
I the North Atlantic squadron and II
{ the officers and men under his com
( mand, as they were given in the cas-
of the conmander-in-chief and officers
} and men of the Asiatic squadron The
! North Atlantic squadron was charged
I with great and exacting duties. includ
) ing the blockade Of Cuba, cooperation
} with the army, and the pursuit, block
ade and capture or destruction of thu
Spanish squadron under Admiral Ger
5 vera, all Of which it discharged will
signal efficiency. 1t was a campaign
sibilities, and was brought to a sue
5 cessful and glorious contamination
} which terminated the war by the de
( struction Of the Spanish sea power
{ 1t was marked by unsurpassed precis
s ion. brilliancy and vigor That tn
s men who nv such achievements earne
I their country's gratitude have receiV
{ ed no reward from its government
s an omission which it cannot be doubt
} ed will be cordially and generously re
( paired
} If reward by the present system c
: promotion is abandoned, as above sue
} gested, the department renews its sue
I gestion embodied In senate bill 500
( introduced at the last session Of con
gress, which provides for medals c
} three classes-one for conspicuous cor
duct in war one for extraordinary he1
oism. and one for general meritoriou
service-the first to carry with it
} percentage of increase Of pay, base
upon the rank of the recipient, an
calculated to take the place of the il
crease which would be the result {
promotion were that form of rewar
I continued. 1t is believed that such
I medal. worn during life and transmit
Z ted as an inheritance. will be far NOR
grateful to deserving officer than
) promotion in rank at the expense {
( a comrade.