The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-07
TIIRlB Of NAVAL MEN.
81; xssr1oSs ON THE SUBJECT M
SECRETARY LONG.
=: LIT Attention 20 the Manifest
,.s.st,ss Of the Present system,
s-.,sh Leaves Capt. Clark Lever
. e,ass Than Before the War

lIt
ASysYNcroN. Jan. s.--secretary Long
~ S6Sressed the following letter 70 the
r. .ssSssn ~ naval affairs OF the senate ana
.s-s smbodying the departmsnrs lates.
s1H..S q ID the method Of rewardtng nevai
sSs2ys Who participated In the destruction
Z n c:vvera's fleet on Santiago: I.
eSsy.-Ths department. has the honor y
1,e1sst that the present syssem ,na u corns
%rrinent and conspicuous conduct IN
~. srS Extraordinary heroiam' unoet
~ ..rvisions respectively OF sectione l5n
- IN a the Revised Statutes mas peen
sS.f "a he unsatisfactory, since IN its
ess~-seticai application It operates unJuat-
1fr1 ~ sorile instances defeats the pur-
~ ar which IL was devised.
psls "a present time some officers who
..,Ssrsd distinguished services durin. tn .s
~ With spain have IN recosnition srs r ~.
a ~;ifhout reward of any kind, while
~ "esffiii. By the curious operation OF
e$ssfirr syetsm, find themselves IN low:
ssisf5vs positions than they occupied
!!siisStiy participated. An illustration Of
x'.chtsctionabie operation Of the present
se..sr1 IL rewards is Afforded by the case
~ csrf Charles Clark, u. 8. N, who COM
,sSSed he Oregon during the memorable
10 rom the Pacific TO the Atlantic an 10
- ~
"a ~ rrontction over him OF Capts. Gridley,
S{ian ana Dyer, for their eminent and
ssg~ics,ous conduct In the battle OF Manila
~ Il today two numbers. and II Capt.
Hs36ley had survived would be three num-.
- lower on the list than II the war nad
.s5ss Vigilance, prudence and capacity.
,ssSnittinr and sustained, wisely meeting
y nm successively arise the countless de
sSfS a the management OF a batuesnip,
Sssblishing and maintaining me morale
1870 into effective action at critical
~ are qualities which entitle an omcer
= shsrs N rewards, II any are given FOR
8a(lnguished naval service. These quah-
% sshistsd n e t his Sa desrs Sy sGs
"a have been rewarded by advancement
n M navy list. They were also exhibited
- efher officers. particularly those who 50
ssneplcuously and meritoriously participate
e 5 the battle Of Santiago and yet have
~ Il any way been rewarded.
s@here ofiicers have braveiy and with
raAious patriotism acquitted themselves In
iI6I6ult circumstances with uniform sue
-, a analytical comparison OF their re-
lpeesiys schisvements y praesicai,y impo -
- eeysfal cases can hardly be taken into
hi account 1t Is, however. deemed 70
IS he duty OF the department to bring to
"a attsntion, with the recommendation
IS 10 matter Of the general question Of the
jnndeuuacy OF the present system Of re-
wards and to request that q remedy Is to
be nxed In the provisions Of certain meas
ufes now before congress, One Of these,
nm II, senate bill $780, F1fty-sixth con-
ero1a first session. provided that the adj
vancement Of the rank of omcers OF the
raw and marine corps for war services
shaft not interfere with the regular promo
4lop Of oficers otherwise entitled thereto.
ThN measure Is similar to senate ball 1909,
was approved by the department, and
which, I am informed, has already passed
the senate at its present session, and II en-
acted into law will, In the case above cit
q for example, have the effect Of restof-
ing to the officers concerned the numbers
lost BY advancements heretofore made I'M
&f the present system.
The other OF these fs bill Bo06. Fifty-fifth
congress, third session, providing for suit
navy and marine corps for exceptional and
merit0Fious service In the line of duty.
Ihis measure Is believed to afford q sat
isfactory substitute for the present method
Of rewards, would enable the department
to confer upon the officers above referred
b that medal therein designated as
the honor medal with its attendant adj
vxntages and benefits, and would, 1t is
thought. provide equitable recognition In
titled thereto by reason Of exceptional
ssryice In the line OF duty.
In consequence OF the Importance Of
this general question, the department ur-
gently requests that II may receive such
early attention Of the committee as its
convenience may suggest Very respect
fully. JOHN d. LONG, Secretary"