Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1900-01-07
OF
NAVAL OFFICERS
THE SUBJECT CT A LETTER BY
SECRETARY LONG TO CONGRESS
SIGNAL COMMITTEE.
BAD FEATURES OF THE SYSTEM
POINTED OUT TO THE SENATORS
\ CONGRESSMAN.
me Case of Captain Clark, Com
mander of the Oregon, One in
foint-He is Worse Of Than If a
war Had Not Occurred-Recom-
m~endatfons Made to Congress-.


Secretary Long has addressed the fol-
lowing letter to the chairman of the
Committee on Naval Affairs of the SEN
ate and of the House embodying the de-
partment's latest view as to the best
means OF rewarding the naval officers
who participated in the destruction of
Cervera's feet off Santiago:
"Sir:-The department has the honor
to suggest that the present system of
rewarding officers of the navy and
marine corps for eminent and con-
spicuous conduct in battle and extraor-
ordinary heroism,' under the provisions
respectively of Sections 1906 and 1905
of the Revised Statutes, has been found
to be unsatisfactory, since in its prac-
teal application it operates unjustly,
pose for which it was devised. At the
present time some officers who render
ed distinguished services during the
war with Spain have, in recognition
thereof, been advanced upon the list;
others remain without reward of any
kind; while Others still, by the curious
operation of the existing system find
themselves in lower relative positions
than they occupied before the war of
ticipated. An illustration of the objec-
tionable operation of the present meth
cd of rewards is afforded by the case
of Captain Charles E. Clark, U. S. N,
who commanded the Oregon during the
memorable run of that vessel from Pa
eifc to Atlantic waters and at the bat
tie OF Santiago, and yet, owing to the
promotion over him of Captains Grid
ley, Coghlan and Dyer for their emf
nent and conspicuous conduct in the
battle of Manila Bay, is to-day two
numbers, and if Captain Gridley had
survived, would be three numbers, low
er on the list than if the wal had never
occurred.
THE vigilance, prudence and capac-
ity, unremitting and sustained wisely
meeting as they successfully arise the
countless details of the management of
a battleship, establishing and main
tanning the MORAL essential % good
work and bringing the vessel into effec-
tive action at a critical time, are quail
tiles which entitle an officer to share
in rewards, if any are given, for dis
tinguished naval service. These quail
tiles are exhibited in a high degree, but
by officers participating in the battle of
Manila who have been rewarded by
advancement on the navy list. They
were also exhibited by other officers,
particularly by those h conspicu-
ously and meritoriously participated in
the battle of Santiago, and yet have
not in any way been rewarded.
Where officers have bravely and
with Jealous patriotism, acquitted
themselves in different circumstances
with uniform success in analytical
NODlpdl ioOn VI LuClI l6SDtNIlNt achieve
ments is practically impossible since
all the varied circumstances of the
several cases can hardly be taken into
full and accurate account. Ii is. how
ever, deemed to be the duty of the de-
partment to bring TO the attention of
the committee with the recommended
ton that early action be taken by Con-
gress in the matter, the general ques-
ton of the ~inadequacy of the present
system of rewards, and to sugges that
a remedy is to be found in the provis-
ions of certain measures now before
Congress. One of these q. e.: Senate
bill $50. ~Fifty-sixth Congress. first ses-
sionl provides that the advancement
in rank of officers of the navy and
marine corps for war service shall not
interfere with the regular promotion
of officers otherwise entitled thereto.
This measure is similar to Senate bill
5006. Fifty-ifth Congress. third session,
which was prepared by the department
and has, am informed, already passed
the Senate at its present session. and
if enacted into law will. in the case
above cited, for example, have the eff
feet of restoring to the officer con-
cerned the numbers lost by advance
ments heretofore made under the pres
ent system.
The other of these is bills 5005,
Fifty-ffth Congress. third session, pro-
viding for suitable rewards for officers
and men of the navy and marine corps
for exceptional and meritorious service
in the line of duty. This measure is
believed TO afford a satisfactory substi-
tute for the present method of re-
wards. would enable the department
TO confer upon the officers above refer
red TO the medal therein designated
as the honor medal with its at
tendant advantages and benefits. and
would, it is thought. provide equitagle
recognition in the cases of other Off
GERS Of the navy entitled thereto by
reason of exceptionable service in the
line of duty.
In consideration of the Importance
of this general question. the depart
ment urgently requests that it may re-
ceive such early attention of the COM
mittee as its convenience will suggest.
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