The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-12-11
Tho noutc,Ie Re.olutfon.

The House Committee on Naval Affairs
has Just reported favorably joint resolu
ton which if adopted will represent an
entirely novel departure in national legis-
ton and establish a vicious precedent.
The joint resolution is intended to meet
. the case OF the Hon. Charles A. Boutelle
of Maine, late Chairman of the Naval
Committee Mr.. Boutelle was a volunteer
officer in the navy during the civil war,
and that fact seems in the committees
ewes to furnish a reason why ne should be
placed upon the retired list of the navy.
with the rank and pay of a captain. The
resolution reads as follows:
..whcrcas Charles A. Boutelle appointed a
master in the Timed states Navy April :. 1s6e;
served with conspicuous fidelity from that date
until after the elasc Of the civil war, when he
was, at his own request, January II, 1866, hon
orally discharged having been during hfs period
of war service promoted Cor gallant conduct N
hattie; and
whereas, subsequently, member Of the
Forty eighth, Forty -niBth, Fiftieth. Fifty
Fifty-second FIFTY third Fiityiourtli. Fifty fifth
and particularly during his service as Chairman
Of the Committee Naval Afairs. he has de-
voted his distinguished abilities with untiriny
zeal 10 the upbuilding Of the American Navy;
therefore,
Resolved That the President OF the United
States be authorized 10 nominate. and by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate to ap-
point upon The retired list OF the navy, with tic
rank OF captain. Charles 4. Boutcllc, formerly
volunteer lieutenant the active list of the
navy"
We may say that il the resolution and
the favorable report upon it are intended
merely as . complimentary expression or
a sense of Mr. Boutelle's services in Con-
gress on the part of the House Commit
Tee On Naval Affairs, We are not disposed
to criticise the action, save in The sense
that IT ignores past governmental prac-
tice based upon what most citizens con-
slider right principles. II the committee
is serious, however. We submit that the
moral right of Congress TO enact such leg
.siatIon is greatly 10 be doubted.
A generation ago, Mr.. Boutelle severed
his connection with the volunteer navy.
being honorably discharged at his own re-
quest Since that time he has been en-
gagged in commercial pursuits, and as
newspaper proprietor and politician in
Maine. II anything in this record neces-
sarily renders Nr. Boutelle eligible for
reappointmeHt TO the navy with greatly
increased rank, and with not the slightest
pretence that he is TO perform any service
10 the Government in consideration Of his
appointment, then his fortunate position
obviously must be .hared by many other
people who have at one time OR another
held commissions in the army, navy, or
Marine Corps and thereafter have become
prominent in politics. It is not asserted
Icy friends Of the resolution, nor could 1t
lie held. that the proposed annuity for life
OF naval captains pay would have been
thought Of but for Mr. Boutelle's Congress
sional service. What he did between 1sG2
pnd 1866 as master, and. later. rs lieu
tenant, has, in fact, nothing TO do with
the case. IL is the retiring Chairman OF
tae House Committee or Naval Affairs.
and not the ex-master and ex-lieutenart
whom il is sought to provide with pen
sion.
We think that the objections TO such
legislation are plain and insurmountable.
II IL be proper or allowable 10 load the
retired list Of the navy with persons ap-
cr than to give them = comfortable in
come-the same income that men Of like
rank enjoy after thirty OF forty years OF
constant and ardnous professional ser
vice. then the practice would not be likely
to stop with the honor and emoluments
given 60 Mr.. Bouteiic, but undoubtedly
would be continued and extended on the
basis of that precedent. For instance. AFR.
Grosrcnor OF Ohio vas an ofHcer OF volun