Public Law 46–5

That section fourteen hundred and seventeen of the Revised Statutes of the United States be amended so as to read as follows:

“Sec. 1417.

The number of persons who may at one time be enlisted

Number of enlisted men in the Navy.

into the Navy of the United States, including seamen, ordinary seamen, landsmen, mechanics, firemen, and coal-heavers, and including seven hundred and fifty apprentices and boys, hereby authorized to be enlisted annually, shall not exceed eight thousand two hundred and fifty . Provided, That in the appointment of warrant-officers in the naval service

Apprentices a s warrant-officers.

of the United States, preference shall be given to men who have been honorably discharged upon the expiration of an enlistment as an apprentice or boy, to serve during minority', and reenlisted within three months after such discharge, to serve during a term of three or more years: Provided further,

Proviso.

That nothing in this act shall be held to abrogate the provisions of section fourteen hundred and seven of the Revised Statutes

R. S. 1407.

of the United States.”

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That section fourteen hundred and eighteen be amended so as to read

R. S. 1418, Amended.

as follows:

“Sec. 1418.

Boys between the ages of fifteen and eighteen years may

Terms of enlistment.

be enlisted to serve in the Navy until they shall arrive at the age of twenty-one years; other persons may be enlisted to serve for a period not exceeding five years, unless sooner discharged by direction of the President.”

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That section fourteen hundred and nineteen be amended so as to read

R. S. 1419, Amended.

as follows:

“Sec. 1419.

Minors between the ages of fifteen and eighteen years

Enlistment of minors.

shall not be enlisted for the naval service without the consent of their parents or guardians.”

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That section fourteen hundred and twenty be amended so as to read

R. S. 1420, Amended. Prohibited enlistments.

as follows:

“Sec. 1420.

No minor under the age of fifteen years, no insane or intoxicated person, and no deserter from the naval or military service of the United States, shall be enlisted in the naval service.”

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That article nineteen of section sixteen hundred and twenty-four be

R.S. 1624, Art. 19, Amended.

amended so as to read as follows:

“Sec. 1624.

Article 19. Any officer who knowingly enlists into

Penalty for improper enlistments.

the naval service any deserter from the naval or military service of the United States, or any insane or intoxicated person, or any minor FORTY SIXTH CONGRESS. SESS. I. On. 5, 6, 7, 8. 1879. between the ages of fifteen and eighteen years, without the consent of his parents or guardian, or any minor under the age of fifteen years, shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

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