COUNTRY │ │_Enlisted │
│_Officers_│ men_ │ _Total_
──────────────────────────────────────┼──────────┼──────────┼──────────
United States │ 1,922│ 31,952│ 33,874
Philippine Islands │ 1,111│ 42,128│ 43,239
Cuba │ 166│ 4,748│ 4,914
Porto Rico │ 51│ 1,490│ 1,541
Hawaiian Islands │ 6│ 250│ 256
China │ 5│ 157│ 162
Alaska │ 17│ 510│ 527
│ ——————│ ——————│ ——————
Total │ 3,278│ 81,235│ 84,513
──────────────────────────────────────┴──────────┴──────────┴──────────
[In this table are included the 4,336 men of the Hospital Corps and
the 25 officers and 815 men of the Porto Rico Provisional Regiment,
leaving the strength of the Regular Army 3,253 officers and 76,084
enlisted men.
In addition there are also in the Philippines 172 volunteer surgeons,
appointed under section 18 of the act of February 2, 1901, and 98
officers and 4,973 native scouts.]
Of course, now that the war in the Philippines is practically over, many
more men have returned to the United States.
In reading Mr. Root’s report, nothing impresses one more than the
splendid arrangement for the better education of army officers, not only
as to military tactics, but for full intellectual equipment. Enlisted
men who fit themselves by study, and retain good characters by passing
complete civil service examination, become eligible to official
positions among the regulars. Also officers of volunteer regiments by
the same process become eligible to official positions in the regular
army.
Mr. Root recommends that officers of the National Guard, or officers of
former volunteers, be permitted in their vacations to study with regular
army officers at West Point, and at the army post schools, so that we
may never again be caught without competent officers for volunteer
regiments. His report contains full accounts of the forming of the new
government in Cuba, the Cuban Constitution, a full account of all the
troubles in the Philippines, the wonderful work accomplished by the
signal corps, the territorial and military divisions of the Philippines,
and recommendations as to the proper currency and system of banking
necessary in our Oriental possessions.
He recommends the purchase of the lands of the friars, who can not
continue to hold their possession peacefully on account of the hostility
of the people, whom they have grossly wronged.
His account of the very valuable unexplored timber lands of the islands,
and the industries needed, make his report of great practical
importance.
Men of the United States army have always been noted for their high
standard of honor. The country believes in the integrity of the officers
of the regular army. When any of them fail themselves and betray the
trust imposed in them, it causes a shock to public feeling such as
malfeasance in no other official position ever produces. To an unusually
large extent they have been worthy of the trust reposed in them by a
great nation.
The French are no more jealous of the good name of their army than are
Americans. The person who takes away the good name of our brave,
patriotic, self-sacrificing men, “who are a-doing and a-dying” in the
Philippines, because of the evil actions of less than one-twentieth of
their number, deserves public execration. The least we can do for our
army is to give them their hard-earned laurels unspoiled.
XXVI
STATE, WAR, AND NAVY DEPARTMENTS (_Continued_)
THE NAVY DEPARTMENT
The offices of the Navy Department are situated in the same building as
those of the War Department. The Secretary of the Navy occupies some of
these handsome rooms. On their walls are the pictures of eighteen
Secretaries, more than half the number of those who have occupied the
high place being yet unrepresented. Secretary Long urges that the
pictures of those yet waiting should be secured and given a place among
these worthies. Down to Lincoln’s day the following persons occupied the
place of Secretary of the Navy:
During Washington’s administration the Secretaries of the Navy were also
Secretaries of War. Three men occupied the double position: Gen. Henry
Knox, of Massachusetts; Timothy Pickering, of Massachusetts; and James
McHenry, of Maryland. In John Adams’s administration the Navy was made a
separate department. The Secretaries of the Navy since 1798 have been as
follows: Benjamin Stoddert, of Maryland; Robert Smith, of Maryland;
Jacob Crowninshield, of Massachusetts; Paul Hamilton, of South Carolina;
William Jones, of Pennsylvania; Benjamin W. Crowninshield, of
Massachusetts; Smith Thompson, of New York; Samuel L. Southard, of New
Jersey; John Branch, of North Carolina; Levi Woodbury, of New Hampshire;
Mahlon Dickerson, of New Jersey; James K. Paulding, of New York; George
E. Badger, of North Carolina; Abel P. Upshur, of Virginia; David
Henshaw, of Massachusetts; Thomas W. Gilmer, of Virginia; John Y. Mason,
of Virginia; George Bancroft, of Massachusetts; William B. Preston, of
Virginia; William A. Graham, of North Carolina; John P. Kennedy, of
Maryland; James C. Dobbin, of North Carolina; Isaac Toucey, of
Connecticut; Gideon Welles, of Connecticut.
Those later are well known. John D. Long, of Massachusetts, late
Secretary, who ably administered the department during the war with
Spain, has the following record in the Congressional Directory:
JOHN DAVIS LONG, of Massachusetts, Secretary of the Navy, was born in
Buckfield, Oxford County, Me., October 27, 1838; received his
preparatory education in the common school of his native town and the
Hebron Academy, Maine; was graduated from Harvard in 1857; taught
school two years in Westford Academy, Massachusetts; studied law at
Harvard Law School and in private offices; was admitted to the bar,
and has since practised; was a member of the Massachusetts Legislature
in 1875, 1876, 1877, and 1878; was Speaker of the House during the
last three years; was Lieutenant-Governor of his State in 1879, and
Governor in 1880, 1881 and 1882; was elected to the Forty-eighth and
reelected to the Forty-ninth and Fiftieth Congresses; was for several
years on the Statehouse Construction Commission of his state; is
senior member of the law firm of Long & Hemenway; was appointed and
confirmed Secretary of the Navy March 5, 1897.
Secretary Long resigned in 1902. He was succeeded by William H. Moody,
also of Massachusetts.
Now that the United States has become a world power, the navy is the
right arm of the government in taking needed supplies to our distant
colonies, and in protecting the property of America the world over.
The last annual report of the Secretary of the Navy showed that the
United States has 252 regular naval vessels, 55 of special classes,
besides as many more of inferior classes called standard vessels, such
as steam-cutters, launches, cutters, etc. The Secretary’s report shows
that $84,181,863.89 was appropriated for naval expenses, of which about
seventeen millions yet remain unused. A large part of this has gone for
new vessels. No part of the government is increasing so rapidly as the
naval service. When all men are enlisted for which legal provision has
been made, the naval and marine force will reach 34,810 men, or nearly
8,000 more than were in the army prior to the war with Spain. By the
Congressional acts of 1864, 1868, and 1876 the navy was fixed not to
exceed 7,000 men; the act of March 3, 1901, fixes the number at 25,000,
but the necessities of the country have increased it beyond this.
The average citizen knows far less about the navy than about the army.
Yet in time of war the army would be of little use without an efficient
navy. In the Civil War no great progress was made in conquering the
South till the blockade shut in the Southern States, preventing the
export of cotton and the bringing in of the necessities of life.
In the late war with Spain, brilliant as was the service of the army,
yet our navy carried away the greater laurels.
Secretary Long (since succeeded by Mr. Moody) says that the North
Atlantic Squadron during the last fiscal year has been engaged in severe
training in markmanship and evolutions, gaining facility in landing
large guns, etc. The vessels of this squadron have extended their
operations from Maine to Central America, particularly among the West
Indies. The South Atlantic Squadron has assisted in commercial interests
along the coast of South America. The European Squadron is now mostly in
the Mediterranean Sea. The Pacific Squadron is scattered over such a
great length of coast from Alaska to South America that the ships can
not drill as a squadron, but are obliged to maneuver singly. The
apprentice and training squadrons have been along the coast of Europe,
but are now in the West Indies. These are afloat continually, except
when stopped for repairs or supplies.
Possibly no condition in the war with Spain annoyed us so much as the
use of powder which emitted smoke and thus showed just where our men
were located, while they dealt with an unseen foe. The navy has taken up
this matter, and is experimenting on the use and making of smokeless
powder. We shall not be caught napping again. The navy is also
practising wireless telegraphy; and while it can not be said to have
adopted any of the half dozen systems now before the public, yet so far
it has secured the best results from the Marconi system. This is used by
Great Britain and Italy. Germany uses the Slaby system, France and
Russia the Ducretet system. Secretary Long insists that none of them are
a perfect success, as the difficulty of interference has not yet been
entirely overcome. Wireless telegraphy has carried messages correctly
between British war-ships 160 miles apart.
We have eight navy-yards, the principal one being at Brooklyn. The
barracks for the marines in Washington are situated on Eighth Street, a
short distance from the navy-yard; they cost $350,000. The navy-yard at
Washington does not build large ships, but produces chains, anchors,
ordnances, such as rifles, breechloading guns, etc., together with a
long list of materials used in the navy.
Admiral Dewey is not only the pride of the navy but of the nation. He
receives $13,000 per year. Rear-Admirals are paid $6,000; Commodores,
$5,000.
Extensive and important improvements are to be made at the Annapolis
Naval Academy. The country expects great proficiency in its army and
navy, so no pains, no expense should be spared in the preparation of men
of whom so much is required. A number of years ago Commodore Perry,
speaking to the students of Antioch College (Ohio), told the following
anecdote:
“Some twenty-five years ago I was carelessly walking on the levee of a
city of the Adriatic. A short distance from the shore lay a man-of-war
at anchor. I called an oarsman to me, and had him take me out to the
vessel.”
“I saw no one on board, but by a rope hanging over the side I went on
deck, hand over hand. I paid the oarsman, and told him to return for me
in an hour.”
“I wandered over the beautiful ship, admiring its guns, its keeping, its
admirable appointments, and its excellent management, shown by its
condition. At the end of my hour I began to look for my oarsman. Just
then I discovered a door on my right. I opened it, and in that room sat
thirty-two boys. I had been there an hour and had not heard stir enough
to show that so much as a bird was alive on that boat.”
“The youngest cadet came to the door and welcomed me with his cordial
military salute. ‘Boy, where is your teacher?’ ‘Gone ashore, sir.’ ‘Do
you keep absolute order while he is gone?’ ‘Certainly, sir.’
“Then passing to the front, I said to one of the older boys: ‘Young man,
why do you act so differently from other boys? Are you afraid of being
punished?’
“The cadet rose to his feet. ‘Sir,’ said he, ‘you see before you
thirty-two cadets. We all expect to govern others in our future work.
The first element of a good governor is self-government; sir, we are
practising that.’”
The Commodore added: “That was twenty-five years ago. In the providence
of God none of these young men have been called to eternity. I will now
read you their names.” And the audience recognized in each man a name
famous in the navies of Great Britain, Germany, France, or America.
Now those lads had not merely kept silent. The mastery of self made them
victorious over temper, bad habits, and all depraved tastes. They were
men in soul as well as in body. Truly, “He that ruleth his spirit is
greater than he that taketh a city.”
XXVII
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
At the present time of writing (February, 1903) the President has
nominated to the head of the new Department of Commerce and Labor his
secretary, George B. Cortelyou, and to be Commissioner of Corporations
in that department James R. Garfield, who is a son of President
Garfield, and a member of the Civil Service Commission. Of these
appointments the New York _Times_ expresses the general opinion of the
press of the country:
The former appointment is significant chiefly because the new
Secretary is intimately known to the President, and his policy in the
department will probably represent the President’s views very closely.
It can not in any special sense be regarded as a political
appointment. The selection of Mr. Garfield is also conspicuously on
the merits of the appointee, who is not an active politician, is an
able lawyer, has been prominent and useful in the promotion of
municipal reform and of the merit system in Ohio and as a Civil
Service Commissioner. He has plenty of energy, a cool head, experience
in public affairs, and may be expected to do all that can be done with
the powers of his new office, the value of which must depend much on
the character of the Commissioner and the support and direction of the
Secretary and of the President.
Mr. Cortelyou has been so long engaged in recording other people’s
thoughts as a secretary that it remains to be proved whether he
possesses any opinions of his own. It is only the confidence of the
country in President Roosevelt’s judgment of men whom he has been in a
position to judge which prevents a general expression of surprise that
our great “captains of industry” have been passed by in the selection of
the first occupant of a position destined to be one of the most
important in the Cabinet. Mr. Cortelyou, however, may do very well while
we are playing at the department, but when we get down to business the
portfolio of Commerce will have to be held by hands accustomed to
weightier affairs than a stenographer’s note-book.
Mr. Garfield, having been called to deal with the great corporations, is
confronted with the greatest problem of the times. He comes to his
responsible place a comparatively unknown man. His name carries
something of the halo which surrounds the name of his distinguished
father, and for that reason he will start with the best wishes of his
countrymen.
A feeling, however, prevails that if the government really meant to
regulate trusts some heroic figure would have been called, like Joseph
W. Folk, the brave circuit attorney, who, single-handed, is yet fighting
the corruptionists of St. Louis, or Hovey C. Clark or D. Percy Jones,
who sent the vile city conspirators of Minneapolis into prisons or
exile, or some great corporation lawyer who has known the trusts from
the inside, and now with change of heart could really work from the
outside.
We hope for great things from Mr. Garfield. It may be well, like the
Greeks, to keep crying, “Let us fight Philip!” whether we do much
fighting or not.
[Illustration:
FISH COMMISSION BUILDING
]
The new department has a wide scope, and under efficient administration
may exert a good deal of influence. It takes over practically the
scientific and statistical work of the government, especially the Coast
Survey, the Bureaus of Statistics from the Treasury and State
Departments, and the Fish Commission, besides the Labor Bureau, the
Immigration Bureau, and the enforcement of the Chinese Exclusion Act,
and it has a new Bureau of Manufactures, with considerable duties. But
undoubtedly the most important work it can perform is in the Bureau of
Corporations, at the head of which Mr. Garfield is placed. The powers of
this bureau extend to “diligent investigation into the organization,
conduct, and management of any corporation, joint stock company, or
corporate combination engaged in commerce among the several States and
with foreign nations, excepting common carriers.” For this work the
Commissioner is to have the “right to subpœna and compel the attendance
and testimony of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence
and to administer oaths.” One of the objects of this power is to enable
the Commissioner to “gather such information and data as will enable the
President of the United States to make recommendations to Congress for
the regulation of” interstate and foreign commerce.
The Survey, Quarantine, Immigration, and Life-Saving bureaus are next in
importance. Along the coast new harbors and coast lines are constantly
being surveyed. When the quarantine officer boards your ship at the
entrance of New York harbor, and scares you thoroughly lest he keep you
in quarantine for the sake of some poor Italian baby in the steerage, he
represents the Secretary of Commerce guarding a great nation from
disease. When the immigrant lands he is interviewed by an agent of this
department and his money changed into United States currency. Some of
these agents recognize in the poor, frightened, lonely, and
travel-stained foreigner a human being who needs a friendly word and
helping hand, but others would scare even an American woman, who knows
her own value, out of her wits; what, then, must be the effect of such
men on the feelings of these strangers? Nearly a half million of
foreigners a year enter our ports, and I have seen many of them treated
like cattle.
The Life-Saving Bureau has charge of the continuous line of life-saving
stations which guard our coasts. No braver men have ever lived than the
devoted servants of the government who patrol our shores. There are 269
life-saving stations on the coasts of the Atlantic, the Pacific, and the
Great Lakes, and one at the Ohio Falls, at Louisville, Ky. The men of
these stations were present last year at 693 disasters and saved 3,377
lives. Our government pensions soldiers and sailors who are hired to
destroy lives; surely greater pensions should be awarded these heroes of
the main for saving life.
XXVIII
THE EXECUTIVE MANSION
The President’s house is generally known as the White House. It is
situated on Pennsylvania Avenue, one mile west of the Capitol building.
It contains two lofty stories above ground and a basement.
[Illustration:
MRS. ROOSEVELT
[Copyright by J. Schloss, New York]
]
It was modeled after the palace of the Duke of Leicester by the
architect, James Hobon. The foundation was laid October 13, 1792, and
the building was first occupied by President John Adams in the summer of
1800. It was partially burned by the British in 1814. The front is
ornamented by Ionic columns and a projecting screen with three columns.
The space between these two sets of columns constitutes a carriage-way,
admitting to the main entrance.
The building contains thirty-one rooms. The whole has been refitted and
almost rebuilt by the present occupant, President Theodore Roosevelt.
Whether seen through the tracery of leafless trees or through the
verdure of summer, the White House always looks cool, restful, and
beautiful. The situation is not regarded as very healthful, but
everything that modern science can do is now being employed to improve
its sanitary condition.
All official duties will in time be attended to in the offices which are
situated just west of the White House, so that the latter will be used
only as the private residence of the President’s family.
Longfellow says:
All houses wherein men have lived and died
Are haunted houses.
How true this must be of the home of our Presidents! George Washington
watched its building, and with his stately wife walked through it when
it was finished, and was satisfied. They were about ready to leave the
scene of action, but they did much to prepare the stage for the
procession of Presidents which has followed.
For the last fifty years much complaint has been made that the house has
not been large enough and that it was lacking in modern conveniences,
but in spite of these objections no trouble has yet been experienced in
finding men who were quite willing and even anxious to occupy it.
The walls are covered with portraits of the Presidents and their wives.
All these portraits are interesting.
Mrs. John Adams bewailed the unfinished condition of the house, and used
the now famous East Room for drying the family linen.
Of all the noble matrons who have graced the White House, Abigail Adams
was the wisest and greatest. Her letters make her the Madam de Sévigné
of our land. Her letter (written February, 1797) to her husband, who had
just succeeded Washington, sounds like the voice of an oracle. We quote
a portion: “You have this day to declare yourself head of a nation. ‘And
now, O Lord, my God, thou hast made Thy servant ruler over the people;
give unto him an understanding heart, that he may know how to go out and
come in before this great people; that he may discern between good and
bad. For who is able to judge this Thy so great a people?’ were the
words of a royal sovereign, and not less applicable to him who is
invested with the Chief Magistracy of a nation, tho he wear not a crown
nor the robes of royalty. My thoughts and my meditations are with you,
tho personally absent, and my petitions to heaven are that ‘the things
which make for peace may not be hidden from your eyes.’ My feelings are
not those of pride or ostentation upon this occasion. They are
solemnized by a sense of the obligations, the important trusts, and
numerous duties connected with it. That you may be enabled to discharge
them with honor to yourself, with justice and impartiality to your
country, and with satisfaction to this great people, shall be the daily
prayer of yours—”
The first New-year’s reception at the White House was held by President
Adams in 1801. Mrs. Adams kept up the stately, ceremonious customs
established by President and Mrs. Washington. It was her son, John
Quincy Adams, as Monroe’s Secretary of State, who was afterward to write
out a definite code for almost every public ceremony. This code is
largely in force at the present time.
Martha Washington comes into history simply as the wife of a great man,
but Abigail Adams was inherently a superior woman. Of all the women who
occupied the White House she, only, gave the country a son who became a
great man, and occupied the highest position in the gift of his country.
After John Adams came Thomas Jefferson, who had imbibed ultra-democratic
ideas in the French Revolution. The ceremonies which prevailed in the
Washington and Adams period were temporarily laid aside by this plain
Virginia gentleman. He received the formal dames of the land in his
riding-suit, covered with dust, riding-whip in hand, and with clanking
spurs on his heels. His lovely daughter, Martha Jefferson Randolph, did
her best to give the great house the air of a pleasant home. She
succeeded well, and Jefferson’s accomplished daughter smoothed many of
the asperities existing among public men who had lived through the
Revolution and suffered from the jealousies, misunderstandings, and
injustices of the times.
Mrs. Dolly Madison was probably the greatest social genius that has ever
occupied the White House. The papers of that day declare “Mrs. Madison
is the most popular person in the United States.”
Washington social life yet abounds in pleasing legends of her graceful,
courteous kindness, not only to the gentlemen and ladies of the
legations, but to the ignorant and socially unskilled who were among her
worshipers. James Fenimore Cooper, in a private letter, gives a picture
of the White House in the days of James Monroe: