Evening star., 1901-02-25
REFINEMENT REQUISITE
ADMIRAL SIMPSONS VIEWS ON
NAVAL OFFICERS REQUIREMENTS.
His Indorsement of Gallant Gunner
MOrgan.s Application
for Promotion.

The aIl-engrossing topic of discussion
among naval officers today was a letter
written by Rear Admiral Sampson to Secre-
tary Long forwarding application made
by Gunner Charles Morgan for an ensign S
commission In the navy. Gunner Morgans
application, together with Admiral Samp-
sons Endorsements in regard to it, follow
UNITED STATES TORPEDO STATION,
NEWPORT, r. l.. February IL, 1901.
Admiral William T. Sampson,
United States navy:
Dear Sir: The new bill whereby six gun
ners are to be commissioned ensigns tempts
me to write you, trusting you will pardon
the liberty l take in so doing.
AS | served on the flagship New York
during your command of the fleet, you will
know whether my abilities. whatever they
may be, are Of such merit as to warrant me
in filling the position of ensign. | would
say here that l never use tobacco or liquor
in any form.
IT, in your estimation. l am worthy of this
position, / should be most grateful to you
If you will recommend me to the depart
ment. l am very respectfully yours
CHARLES MORGAN,
Gunner, u. S. N.
Social Advantages Supreme.
Admiral Sampson indorsed the application
as follows:
NAVY YARD, Boston, Mass,
Februry IA.
Endorsement 1.-Respectfully forwarded to
the Navy Department for its consideration.
g Mr.. Morgan has good professional abil-
ity. He also has, which distinguishes him
from most other warrant officers, gen.
tlemanly bearing. If he were to be COM
missioned as an ensign ne would probably
compare favorably both professionally and
in personal conduct and bearing, with other
officers of that grade, as far as his tech
nical education would permit.
3. 1t is earnestly to be hoped however,
that the Secretary of the Navy will not
find it necessary to take advantage of the
authority which ! understand is to be grant
ed him to appoint certain number of war
rant officers to the grade of lensigns.
While it is true that these men are Sc
lected from a large class of men of very
unusual ability, which distinguishes them
as perhaps the professional equals of their
officers as far as their technical education
stands. it is also true that they are re-
cruited from a class of men who have not
had the social advantages that are re-
quisite for commissioned officer
1t is submitted that in time of peace the
navys function consists, to certain ex-
tent, of representing the country abroad,
and it is important that the navy's repre-
sentatives should be men of at least re-
finement. While there are perhaps a GER
tain few among the warrant officers who
could fulfill this requirement, I am Of the
could not
Might Not Be Creditable
Once they are commissioned they will
have the same social standing as other Of
fcers, and no distinction properly could be
made in extending general 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.
l do not mean to detract from the sterling
worth of the warrant officers of the navy;
merely mean to suggest to the department
that, unfortunately for them, they have
been deprived of certain natural advantages
and in consequence their proper place is
that of leading men among the crew, and
not as representatives of the country in
the ward room and steefage.
4. I request that this may be brought to
the personal attention of the Secretary of
the Navy. w. r. SAMPSON,
Commandant. Rear Admiral u. S. N.
The Navy Department did not make pub
lie this correspondence. Some inquiry Is be-
ing made as to how an official paper Of
this character gained publication, but be-
yond that no official action has been taken.