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 urged 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. Since then have come John Faxon, Adolph E. Bane, Geo. M. Robeson, Watson Goff, Jr.; N. H. Hunt, Wm. E. Chandler, Wm. C. Whitney, Benj. F. Tracy, H. A. Hobart, John D. Long, M. H. Moody, Paul Morton, Chas. J. Bonaparte, S. H. Newberry and George von L. Meyer. Mr. Long resigned in 1902, and was succeeded by Mr. Moody, who later was transferred to the Supreme Court. Of Mr. Meyer the Directory says:

George von Lengerke Meyer, of Hamilton, Mass., Secretary of the Navy, is trustee Provident Institution for Savings, Boston; director Old Colony Trust Company, Boston, Amoskeag Manufacturing Company, Manchester, N. H., and United Electric Securities Company, Boston; was a member of the city government of Boston, 1890-1892; member of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 1892-1896; Speaker of the Massachusetts House of Representatives, 1894-1896; Republican national committeeman, 1898 to 1905; confirmed as ambassador to Italy December 14, 1900; transferred as ambassador to Russia March 8, 1905; recalled in February, 1907, to enter the Cabinet as Postmaster-General, and took oath of office March 4, 1907, holding that post until March 6, 1909, when he took oath of office as Secretary of the Navy.

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 with devoted care 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.

The North Atlantic Squadron during the last fiscal year has been engaged in severe training in marksmanship 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. The Secretary of the Navy insists that none is a perfect success, as the difficulty of interference has not yet been entirely overcome. Wireless telegraphy has carried messages between British war-ships 160 miles apart. In 1908 and 1909 the fleet went around the world.

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, breech-loading 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 $13,500 per year. Rear-Admirals are paid $8,000.

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."