Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1900-01-09
REWARD FOR OFFICERS
secretary Longs Letter to Chair
man of House and Senate
Naval Committees.

Washington, d. c., Jan. 6.-Secretary
Long has addressed the following letter
to the chairman Of the committee On ma.
val affairs of the Senate and House. en-
bodying the departments latest view as
to the best means Of rewarding the naval
officers who participated in the destruc-
ton of Cervera's feet off Santiago:
Sir: The department has the honor IN
suggest that the present system Of reward
ing officers Of the navy and marine corps
Tor eminent and conspicuous conduct in
battle, and extraordinary heroism" under
the provisions respectively of sections 1906
and 1905 of the Revised statutes has been
round to be unsatisfactory, since in it's i'm
pfactlcal application, it operates unjustly,
ana III some instances defeats the purpose
Tor which it was devised At the present
tlme some officers who rendered dstin-
gulshcd services during the wSr with Spain,
nave In recognition thereof been advanced
on the list, others remain without reward
or any kind; while others STILL by the curl
GUS operation of the existing system, find
themselves in lower relative positions than
they occupied before the war of 1898, in
which they so CALAMITY participated. An
the present method of rewards is afforded
by the case of Capt. Charles e. Clark T.. s.
n, who commanded the Oregon during the
memorable run of that vessel from Pacific
TO Atlantic waters, and at the battle OF
Santiago, and yet owing TO the promotion
over him of Capt. Gridley, Coghlan and
conduct i'll the battle of Manila bay, is to-
day two numbers, and if Capt Gridley had
survived, would be three numbers lower
the list than II the war had never occurred.
The vigilance. prudence and capacity, I'M
RENTING and sustained. wisely meeting rs
they successfully arise the countless de-
tails Of the management of q battleship
tablishing and maintaining the morale
sential to good work and bringing the YES
sci, and ringing the vessel into effective ac
ton at a critical time, are qualities which
officer if
are given, for distinguished naval service.
These qualities are exhibited i'll a high de-
gree by the officers Participating in the bat
tie of Manila. who have been rewarded
by advancement on the navy list. They
were also exhibited by other officers, par
meritoriously participated in the battle
of Santiago and yet have not in any way
been rewarded.
Comparison Impossible.
Where officers have bravely and with
Jealous patriotism acquitted themselves in
difficult circumstances an analytical COM
parisCn of their respective achievements is
practically Impossible. since all the varied
circumstances of the several cases can
hardly be taken into full and accurate ac-
count. 1t is. however. deemed to be the
duty of the department to bring to the at
tention Of the committee, with the recon-
mendatiOn that early action be taken by
Congress in the matter, the general QueS-
ton Of the inadequacy of the present sys-
tenn of rewards, and TO suggest that
certain measures now before Congress. One
of these provides that the advancement of
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.
Medals Recommended.
The other of these is a bill 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 believed to afford q salts
factory method of rewards, would
enable the department to confer upon the
officers above referred to. the medal therein
designated as the honor medal with its
attendant advantages and benefits. and
would, it is thought, provide equitable rec
ignition in the cases of other officers OF
the navy entitled thereto by reason of
exceptional service in the line of duty.
In consideration of the importance of this
general question the department urgently
requests that it may receive such early at
tention of the committee as its convenience
will suggest. Very respectfully,
JOHN D. LONG, Secretary.