Daily inter mountain., 1900-01-12

upon the list; others remain without re.
ward Of any kind, while others still, BY
the curious operation Of the existing sys.
tenn, find themselves in lower relative
positions than they occupied. before the
war Of 1898, in which they so gallantly
participated. An illustration of the OBJ
jectionable operation Of the present meth
cd of rewards is afforded by the case
OF Captain Charles E. Clark, United
states navy, who commanded the Ore
gon during the memorable run of that
vessel from Pacific to Atlantic waters
and at the battle Of Santiago, and vet
owing to the promotion over him Of Cap
talns Gridley, Coghlan and Dyer, for
their eminent and conspicuous conduct
In the battle Of Manila bay, is today two
nulnbers-and, if Captain Gridley had
survived, would be three numbers--low-
er on the list than If the war had never
occurred.
Inc vigilance. prudence and capacity,
unremitting and sustained, wisely meet-
ing as they successfully arise tile count
less details of the management of bat
tleship, establishing and maintaining the
morale essential to good work, and bring
ing the vessel into effective 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
degree by the officers participating in the
battle of Manila who have been rewarded
by advancement on the navy list. They
were also exhibited by other officers.
particularly those who SO conspicuously
and meritoriously participated in the bat
tie OF Santiago, and yet have not in any
way been rewarded.
Where officers have bravely and with
zealAlls patriotism acquitted themselves
IN d1mcult circumstances with uniform
success, an analytical comparison of
their respective achievements is practic-
ally Impossible, since all the varied cir
cumstances of the several cases can
hardly be taken into full and accurate
account. 1t is. however. deemed to be
the duty Of the department to bring to
the attention Of the committee, with the
recommendation that early action be ta-
ken by congress in the matter, the gem
eral question Of the inadequacy of the
present system of rewards. and to sug-
gest that a remedy is to be found in the
provisions of certain measures now be-
fore congress. One of these G. e., Sen
ate bill $50, LVlth congress, first ses-
sion), provides that the advancement in
rank Of officers of the navy and marine
corps for war service shall not inter-
fere with the regular promotion of Of
hcers otherwise entitled thereto. This
measure is similar to Senate bill 5,0O6
LVth congress, third session, which was
prepared by the department, and has,
am informed, already passed the sem
ate at it's present Sc ssion. and il enacted
into law will, in the case above cited for
example. have the effect of restoring to
the officers concerned the numbers lost
by advancem entS heretofore made under
the present system.
The other of these is bill 5,o05, LVth
congress, third session, providing for
suitable rewards for officers and men Of
the navy and marine corps, for duty"
This measure is believed to afford sat
isfactOry substitute for the present meth
cd of rewards, would enable the depart
ment to confer upon the officers above
referred to the medal therein designated
as the "honor medal" with it's attendant
advantages and benefits. and would, it
is thought, provide equitable recogni-
tion in the cases of other officers of the
navy entitled thereto by reason of ex-
ceptional service in the line of duty.
In consideration of the Importance of
this general question, the department
requests that It may receive such
early attention Of the committee as its
convenience will suggest. Very respect
fully,
JOHN D. LONG, Sescretary.