New-York tribune., 1901-02-26

ners and other warrant officers do no
more than handle powder and shell. while
commissioned officer-lieutenant-aim and fires
the big guns.
The machinists' examinations demand line pre-
liminary educations. and there was the rub.
Line officers saw that the possibility of commits
SlonS would attract to the engine rooms of the
warships the graduates of the finest technical
colleges of the country, and that against these
men gunners and boatswains would stand no
snow These schools have fifty thousand stu
dents. and this number would increase with the
incentive of a naval career ahead. The trustees
and professors of these schools would also be
sufhciently powerful to drive the wedge deeper
every year, and in a short time the machinists
IN charge of the intricate mechanismS Which
would break down most Of the naval aristocracy.
From the moment that change made in the
amendment the line officers fight against the
whole proposition has been fierce and bitter.
The plan to encourage the boatswains and
gunners was abandoned. and appeals made
10 officers all over the country to exert their in
huence to prevent any encroachment whatever
on the naval law that an officer must be gradu-
ated from the Naval Academy. Until that time
Gunner Charles Morgan had been slated for a
commission whenever the law passed. All
his commanding officers desired his promotion
to the rank of ensign. Secretary Long was
heartily in favor of it. and says to-day he will
enactment permits
THOSE WHO HAVE RISEN BY MERIT.
The social refinement which Admiral Sampson
shall be hired by the Government to do it's
hhting, while indorsed in the main by naval
officers generally. is amusing to army officers
and astounding to most civilians in high places
under the Government, especially If 1t means
that such polish only be secured at Anna
polls. In the army the proportion of generals
who were graduated from the Military Academy
is insignificant, and in the highest places in
Congress and the Executive Departments col
legians do not constitute the majority In the
navy ADMIRAL O'Neil. SIMPSONS successor as
Chief of Ordnance, served before the mast and
rose from sheer merit Captain Dyer who
commanded the Baltimore at Manila Bay. was
another who rose from the merchant service
through the army and into the navy to retire
last week a admiral. Biographies pub
lished yesterday of Admiral Hichborn, Chief
showed that he was ship carpenter until the
middle of the Civil War, and that he went
mlral Melville, who has done more than any
other man living to improve the vitals Of ships.
ana whose superior engineering knowledge has
been recognized all the world, is another
example to confound Admiral Sampson.
In his Endorsement on the application OF Morgan
for promotion Admiral Sampson said:
1t is earnestly hoped however that the Secretary
OF the Navy will not find II necessary to take ad-
vantage OF the authority which understand is TO
officers to the grade Of enssns hummer VI
While 1t is true that these men selected from
distinguishes them perhaps the professional
equals OF their officers far their technical
education stands, II is also true that they re-
cruited from class of men who have not had the
social advantages that a requisite for a COM
missioned officer
Once they are commissioned they will have the
same social standing other officers g.
tinction properly could be made in extending gen
eral invitations. The consequences that would arise
from their acceptance might not rebound to the
credit OF the navy or the country which the navy
represents.
do not mean to detract from the sterling worth
OF the warrant officers of the navy; l merely mean
to suggest to the department that, unfortunately
for them they have been deprived Of certain natural
advantages. and in consequence their place
is that OF leading men among the crew. and not as
representatives OF the country in the wardroom and
steerage.