The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1901-03-14

navy and the military is being mould
ed into an avenue to additional socia
pretensions and pompous parade
| To this degenerate and effeminatt
sentimentaism may, in measure, bt
due the increase in the standing army
as the field is thus broadened to fur.
nish larger number of rich sons
with commissions-it is always to be
marked at some fashionable functions
that epaulets, brass buttons, a sword
and uniform will draw around them
a circle of smiles, beauty and bright
eyes when plain civilian dress is i'm
potent. By the way, it is said that
the military display on the occasion
OF the Inauguration last week was
more marked than at any other
Inauguration in our history, and bore
more the appearance of a kingly
pageant than the modest and simple
ceremony to which we have been ac-
customed.
A glaring suggestion of how
upstart aristocracy is bred in military
and naval circles is seen in the
Sampson Endorsement" which is
much talked of at present. Gunner
Morgan, who distinguished himself
in the Spanish war, asked Admiral
Sampson to endorse his application
for promotion, and the admiral
slezes the opportunity to write
social thesis on the back of the
document, in which he says:
1t is earnestly to be hoped. however
that the secretary of the navy will not
nnd 1t necessary TO take advantage of the
authority, which | understand is to be
granted MIN, to appoint certain number
OF warrant officers to the grade of En-
signs.
While it is true that these men are &C.
lected from large class of men of very
unusual ability which distinguishes them
as, perhaps, the professional eoua's of
their officers as far as their technical
education stands it is also true that thew
are recruited from a class of men who
have not had the social advantages that
are requisite for commissioned officer
IL is submitted that in time of peace the
navy junction consists to great extent |
or representing the country abroad: and
IL Is important that the navy's represent
atiVes should be men of at least refine.
menu. while there are perhaps a certain
lew among the warrant officers who conId
iuinii THIS requirement. / am of the opin-
ION mat the vast majority of them could
not. once tney are commissioned they
Will nave the same social standing as
otner o1ncers and no distinction pronerlv
coulo De MADE IN extending general in
Vl.atlons. Inc consequences that would
arise from thelr acceptance might not re-
aounu 10 the credit of the navy or the
country winch the navy represents 7 do
lot mean 10 detract from the sterling
worm Oh the warrant officers of the navy
merely mean 10 suggest to the denart-
hehC that unfortunately for them. they
ave oeen deprived of certain natural
'oVantages and, in consequence. their
proper place is that of leading men among
Ne crew, and not as Representatives of
ne country In the wardroom.
request that the matter be broupbt 70
ne personal attention of the secretary of
ne navy w. L. SAMPSON,
Rear Admiral, U. S. N. i
Admiral Sampson himself trod the !
leoeian soil of the farm in his bow :
ood days; but, whether he was horn
nut or palace, by what warrant /,
oes an admiral of the United States
avy profess to inject law of caste
bar of low birth into :
avail promotion. Such tbinos T
re not of our sphere if this
ountry is headed onward and not
ackward. Manhood and God
wen aolftles alone are the guages E,
which men are to be measured 70 =,
1glnal republican theories are st;ll :
govern. !"
Sampson places himself in had :,
INT alongside of a glorious line Of :.
merlcan naval heroes, and he an J.
'ars to be a narrow, snobbisb. -