The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-04-02
De served Promotion Delayed.

Deserved Promotion Delayed.
Ttse retirement OF Rear Admiral Day
and the consequent promotion Of Capt.
Silas Terry to fill the vacancy serves to
recall the fact that the captains who
fought the great battle of Santiago and
destroyed Cervera's fleet failed to re-
ceive the promotion which they had
honestly earned, through the Schley-
Sampson controversy; a controversy, by
the way, in which none Of these cap
tains took any part whatever. For his
services in that battle the president
nominated Capt. Robley d. Evans. who
commanded the Iowa, for advancement
five numbers The senate refused or
neglected to confirm this nomination, as
1t did all others made at the same time.
Had the nomination been confirmed, as
II would have been had 1t not been for
the Schley- Sampson matter. Capt. Ev-
ans would have been the senior captain
at the time Of the retirement of Admiral
Day. and would consequently have re-
ceived the advancement to rear admiral.
As II is, unless some of the present rear
admirals elect to retire instead of walt
ing until they reach the age limit, Capt.
Evans win not reach flag rank until
some time in 1902.
Capt. Taylor, who commanded the IN
diana in the battle of Santiago, is con-
sidered the finest naval tacticlan and
one of the most scholarly officers in ac-
tive service. He was for several years
president of the naval war college.
Probably no man in the navy is better
fitted for flag rank. Had he received
the promotion to which his services en-
nominated him. he would have been now
fourth on the list of captains. and would
thus have reached the rank of rear ad-
miral within two years. AS 1t is. how.
ever. he stands ninth on the list. and
will only reach the grade OF rear ad-
miral within very brief period before
hAlN HSf VI compulsory ItAlIfultlt
the law. The country. consequently.
win never have the services of this ex-
ceptionally brilliant officer In the rank
| where his talents would show TO the
best advantage, and where the navy
! would receive the greatest benefit from
| his employment
II Is unfortunately true that had the
nominations Of the Santiago captains
been confirmed, they would have receiv-
| ed their Advancement at the expense OF
1 brother officers who may have equal
ability but who lacked the opportunity
/ TO display 10 This is not an argument
against the principle OF advancing on
! GERS for exceptionally brilliant service
| II simply calls attention TO the defoien-
eies u existing statutes. which IL is cas-
ily within the, powers o. congress 10
remedy.
/ For example. congress might readily
/ Increase the number OF rear admlrals
50 as 10 authorize the Immediate ad
Vancement Of all the Santiago captains
who have not already attained that
rank. This could be made temporary
measure, aud the statute could be
framed so as not 90 delay thu advance
ment of other officers In the regular or
der q promotion. II such statute were
Passed, the country would De assured
the services in nag rank Of officers OF
We'll tried ana proved capacity. to the
BENEFIT OF the navy and the nation:
and To addition. proper recognition could
be made Of the distinguished services Of
these oftceTs IN one OK the greatest ma
val battles ever fauxht