Evening star., 1900-03-23
OFFICER AND MAN.
The Relationship as Il Exists ON
Some War Vessels.

The question of court-martial following
Illegal puniShmen;s imposed by officers up
on men under their command at sea in the
navy" said a naval officer of high rank
has just engaged the department. and it
is subject of much interest 10 us ana to
the men also.
Ordinarily, men in the United States
navy are easy to handle. The superiority of
their intelligence is no longer a mooted
question We far cutstrip European navies
in this respect Therefore, ii is ofttmeS
more possible to appeal to men through the
mind than through the infiiction of corporal
punishment. There are exceptions TO the rule.
incorrigible. Others have ugly dispositions
naturally. and this class proves very trying
to the officer in command, especially ii he
is of a nervous temperament.
On the other hand. there ire officers who
will nag a man. annoy him in petty ways
and irritate him by means innumerable on
board of a man-of-war. This is a contemp-
tble practice. but it is pursued by some of
US. Above all else a naval officer is a gen.
tlemaR, and he endeayCrS to behave as
such at all times, and no doubt the officer
who will nag man Is always a gentleman.
but he could well afford to overlook many
things in the respect mentioned. Altogether
these cases are rare. and | speak OF them
simply because they exist.
An Illegal punishment would be penalty
inflicted upon seaman which is not i'm
posed in the regulations. as, for eXamp'e.
the striking of a seaman by the officer with
his sword or mis- hand. 1t is an officer :
legal duty, and moral well. 10 treat a
seaman with the corresponding respect
which he demands of the man toward HIM
self. bearing in mind their relative stations
and the discipline of the navy.
The severest punishment captain can
impose upon a man for petty offenses is
confinement on bread and water for five
days, or in double irons on full rations for
ten days A more rigorous penalty may be
imposed by a summary court, summoned
by the captain. composed of three officers
and a recorder, who may impose a sentence
not to exceed thirty days In solitary con-
finement on bread and water. with full ra-
ions once every five days. A man can live
this length of time on such diet but it is
apt to reduce his weight of body and also
that of his own Importance before the term
has expired.
However. 1t is seldom that a captain is
unjust in the administration of his prerOga-
tive. If a seaman comes on board from
shore liberty drunk he is reduced in the
grade he occupies. there being four. Jack
on shore will get drunk. and human nature
is the same with us ALL officers are mighty
glad to stand on old Mother Earth, too.
But If a seaman who has had no shore
liberty is found drunk on board ship it will
go hard with him. A tactful captain who
is both firm and considerate wins the re-
spect and the devotion of his crew. and it
is not difficult for an officer to combine
these requisites If he makes it a point to
do so if not naturally inclined that way.
The Secretary of the Navy is very Just
and kind-hearted man. who. with all his
mu1titudnouS duties and responsibilities,
has time to take personal interest in the
welfare of the seamen. and lend a protect
ing hand when captains are inclined to be
too severe. In this sentiment We all con-
cur. and he evidences 1t in one way by
cautioning the officers against the too fire.
quent infiction of the bread and water
penalty.
History makes no mention Of the man
1t was Nelson who Won the battle of Ira
the officers the directing of the battle. The
Spanish war did more than any other to
endear to the hearts of the people the
man., and / am one officer who is glad Of
it. The man never received his full credit,
and it is high time he should. Neither Con-
gress nor the people can be too liberal with
the man.