New-York tribune., 1902-12-29
ARMY AND NAVY cH4PLAINS.


one of the curious and, doubtless unexpected
results OF the reratng Of staff officers pay by
the Navy Personnel bill is said To lie the handi-
Gaping OF the work of the chaplains. While
the pay of some of the seagoing STAFF officers
was raised to that OF line officers of correspond
ing grade the chaplains received no such ad-
vance. and efforts are now being made 10 Sc
cure legislation putting them on ali equality
with the other officers rank for rank. The ad-
vocates OF the measure do not base their plea
merely on a desire for larger income on the
part of the chaplains. but on their wish TO In
crease their own efficiency and power TO do
good The Rev DR.. Alexander Mackay Smith,
writing to "The Churchman" in their behalf,
says that their comparatively low pay has
mininlfzed the Importance of their service and
has placed the brand of inferiorlty upon them,
'often made them objects OF ridieule in the
service and correspondngly decreased the ex-
tent Of their influence for good" He declares:
They are simply aiming to magnify their office.
it's duties, its obligations and its dignity, and
are seeking only that just and reasonable recos
milton which, as the chosen representatives OF
religion in the navy. thay feel is due to their
Facred calling, and which is absolutely essential
in order to command the respect and influence
that properly belong 20 them as its official and
accredited agents. Any act that belittles them
bettles their Office and the cause which they
represent and places them, as ministers, off-
variance with every consideration Of justice and
fair play.
1t seems odd that the respect shown TO min
listers of religion by seamen on board ships
should be measured out according to the navy
pay tables particularly as any seaman who
stops to think OF that must be intelligent enough
to know that the necessary expenses Of chap
lains for uniforms and entertainment are less
than those of line officers, and that they enter
the service with n higher minimum salary than
those who through long years work up in the
line. Nevertheless conventions and regard for
gradaion in rank are peculiarly developed in
military life. and they must be taken account
Of We should not have much sympathy with
the chaplain whose desires for better pay. even
| though not mercenary. were due to regard for
| professional dignity and personal desire to be
! thought as important somebody else. That
would be only form of self-seeking, however
much it might deem itself merely concerned
| for the respect due to religion. On the other
hand If the present status of chaplains really
| interferes with their work as DIR. Mackay-
| Smith believes, and diminishes the influence of
| ministers who are not mere professional formal
| lists but true missionaries, Jealous to get hold
| of and help the men under their pastoral care,
| then there certainly should be such readiust-
/ ment of salaries will give them every oppor-
| tunity for effective ministraton.
Legislation is also to be proposed this winter
| in behalf of the army chaplains 1t will take
| the form Of Il measure creating the grade of
major for about onefourth of the corps. The
| object of this plan is TO make promotions and
recognition of exceptional good work possible
| The scope of chaplans opportunities is
| probably greater in the army than in the navy
| Since the Spanish war especially, the army
chaplains have had chance to do more than
| routine duty Out in the Philippines their SER
| vices have been III particular request by our
| soldiers and some of them have done splendid
| work in field and hospital 1t is only just that
their devotion should have some recognition
II is also believed that a regular system OF pro-
| motion in the corps will be an incentive TO
| zeal If the selections for advancement are
| regularIy made from those who display the
| greatest capacity to exert good influence IN
the army and the proposed higher grade De-
| comes. as planned reward of merit the ten
| dencv will be 10 raise the standard of perform
| ance for I'll chaplains
| Moreover the higher grade will offer attrac-
| tious TO some of the best chapla1ns TO remain
| in the service Men who in the army prove
| their special ability in missionary Iabors are
| freouentIy sought for by promoters of benevo-
lent enterprises and tempted to leave the ser
| wire Unless the government can testify to
| them its appreciation By means of promotions,