The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1900-01-07
Seretar y of Navy Long Makes
Suggestions to Congress.
GREAT INJUSTICE DONE
OBJECTIONABLE OPERATION OF
THE PRESENT METHOD.
How Captain Clark Was Set Back
Two Numbers Notwithstanding
His Brilliant Achievements With
the Battleship Oregon-Says Con-
gress Should Take Some Action.

Washington, Jan. 6.-Secretary Long
has addressed the following letter to
the chairmen of the naval affairs COM
mittees Of the senate and house, en-
bodying the departments latest views
as to the method of rewarding naval
officers who participated in the destruc-
ton of Cervera's feet off Santiago:
Sir-The department has the honor
to suggest that the present system of
reWardlng officers of the navy and ma
rine corps for eminent and conspicu-
Gus conduct il battle and extraordinary
heroism,' under the provision, respect
lively, Of sections 1906 and 1905 OF the
revised statutes, has been found to be
unsatisfactory since, in its impractical
application, 1t operates uujustly. and,
IN some Instances, defeats the purpose
for which it was devised.
AT the present time some officers
who rendered 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 sill,
by the curious operation Of the existing
system, find themselves in lower rela-
tive positions than they occupied be-
fore the war of 1898, in (which they so
CALAMITY participated.
Injustice to Clark.
AN illustration Of the Objectionable
operation Of the present method of re-
wards IS afforded by the case of Cap
tain Charles E. Clark. U. s. n. who
commanded the Oregon during the
memorable run of that vessel from the
Pacific to Atlantic waters, and at the
battle Of Santiago, and yet, owing to
the promotion over him of Captains
Gridley, Coghlan and Dyer, for their
eminent and conspicuous conduct in
the battle of Manila bay, is today two
numbers, and if Captain Gridley had
survived, would be three numbers lower
on the list than if the war 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 morale essential to good
work and bringing the vessel into eff
fective action at a critical time, are
qualities which entitle an officer to
share in rewards, If any are given for
Distinguished naval service. These
qualities are exhibited in a high de-
gree by the officers participating in the
battle of Manila, who have been re-
warded by advancement on the navy
list. They were also exhibited by other
officers, particularly those who 50 con-
spicuoUsly and meTitoriOusly paTtici-
pated in the battle of Santiago. and
yet have not in any way been re-
warded.
Congress Should Act.
where officers have bravely and
with jealous patriotism acquitted
themselves in different circumstances
with uniform success, an analytical
comparison Of their respective achieve
ments is practically impossible, since
all the varied circumstances Of the sew
eral cases can hardly be taken into
full and accurate account It Is, how
ever, deemed to be the duty of the de-
partment to bring to the attention,
with the recommendation that early
action be taken by congress, the matter
Of the general question of the made
qUacy Of the present system Of re-
wards. and to request that remedy is
to be fixed in the provisions OF certain
measures now before congress-
"One Of these, that is, senate bill $50,
Fifty-siXth congress, first session, pro
videS that the advancement of the rank
Of officers Of the navy and marine corps
for war service shall not interfere with
the regular promotion Of officers other
wise entitled thereto. This measure is
similar to senate bill 5006, Fifty-ifth
congress, third session, which was ap-
proved by the department, and which
l am informed already passed the SEN
ate at it's present session, and if en-
acted into law will, in the case above
cited, for example, have the effect Of
restoring to the officers concerned the
numbers lost by Announcements hereto
fore made under the present system
Recognize Their Services.
''The other Of these is bill 5OO5, Fifty
fifth congress, third session, providing
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 be-
lieved 10 afford a satisfactory sCbsti-
tute for the present method of rewards
would enable the department TO confer
upon the officers above referred to that
the medal therein designated as the
honor medal, with its attendant ad-
vantages and benefits, and would, it is
thought, provide equitable recognition
in the cases of other officers Of the navy
entitled thereto by reason Of eXcep-
tionaI service in the line of duty
In consideration of the Importance
of this general question, the depart
ment urgently requests that il may re-
ceive such early attention Of the COM
mittee as its convenience will suggest.
Very respectfully,
JOHN D. LONG, Secretary