Show PIIEJMUTIUN IIEC1IED BIGBI SENSE OP HONOR DISPLAYED DIS-PLAYED BY OFFICERS Refuse to Accept Advancement Over Brother Officers Equally Deserving Admiral Rigginson Lieut Ward Washington March 11Two thinge in the opinion of Secretary Long so creditable to the naval service that they deserve to be made publIc have or curred recently One is the request of Admiral Higginson which Is contained in the following letter Washington D C Marcia 10 1399 Sir I respectfully request to be allowed allow-ed tie resume my former number ore the naval list after Rear Adtniral Kempff While deeply grateful to the president and yourself for my nomination nomina-tion for work done off Santiago I do not regard my own services as so conspicuous con-spicuous as to warrant my advancement advance-ment while the other commanding officers of-ficers nominated at the same time as myself go unrewarded They were a gallant band of naval officers and certainly cer-tainly deserved well of their country and if theirservices are to go unrecognized unrecog-nized I desire to share the same fate Very respectfully FRANCIS J HIGGINSON Bear Admiial U S N To Hon J S Long Secretary of the Navy Admiral Higginsoas name was on time long list seat to the senate by the president presi-dent for advancement for servicer off Santiago Probably by Inadvertence Admiral Higginson was confirmed apart from the rest which the senate adJourned without confirming Secretary Long has addressed time following fol-lowing letter to the admiral Will you let me express my high ap predation of your very handsome and consIderate conduct in asking to resume re-sume your former number on the navy listS rather than to accept the advancement advance-ment which places you above other officers of-ficers who for their gallant services ire the recent war deserved recognition but failed to receive It owing to the failure of the senate to act upon the recommendations sent in by the arcs dent The spirit which you manifest is so admirable that I hasten to write you this letter The other is the case of Lieutenant Aaron Ward who was recommended by time board of romotioas for advance meat On learning of this he wrote to the department declining advancement advance-ment Inasmuch as It gave him oreco dence over his classmate Lieutenant Staunton stating that he did not feel that the actions in which his vessel were engaged were of so great value as to justify him in availing himself of the opportunity It is imaussibie said he for me willingly to accept a promotion Which deprives such an officer of a commis aba in the highest grade The recommendation made by the board of promotions In the case of Lieutenant Ward was not sent in to the senate all the promotions recommend eel by that board haviqg been held back to await the result of those which have been pending since the opening of the session and which the senate adjourn cd without confirming |