Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-11-23

anu none viii say that the best means OF preparing and
perpetual ing eub.tantia and serviceabs marine, is
ny indication OF hostility 10 that important and popular
arm OF the national defence.
From the u s. Telegraph
MIR SOUTHARD AJND THE .MiDSHTP.M MEN.
In his second article published IN the journal the
18th September, Mr. Southland makes the following STATE
ment:
"The number of Milshipmen il Discretionary.
1.-The numb-r fixed on by the Secretary is laid be.
lore Congress in the esmates."-"The Secretary Of
the Navy cannot call into service. put pay
than the number provided for by the appropriations"
MIR Southland acted upon his best Judgment, with
the best advice and with great personal experience
These quotations comprise the whole substance OF
the ex-Secretary's second attempt at defence! Az
little as they contain, that little devates far from the
truth.
1t is true that the number Of Mid.hipmen is discre
onary but never in single instance il is believed
did Mr. Southland lay before Congress- in the estimates
the number hxed on by him.
His estimates for 1925 shew but 301 Midshlpmen
when his egister exhibits 356.
For 1926 his estimate shews 367-his regi1tcr 376
For 1927 his estimate shews 294-his register 37I.
For 1928 his estimate shews 350-hs register 1872
For 1879 his estimate shews 402. Midshipmen aud
Passed Midshipmen--his register 4I6.
At the commencement of the year 1929, the number
on the register exceeds that in the estimate by a.
which number, reduced only by four, Mr.. Southland,
in February 1929 added 81 making an excess ov the
estimates of NINETY-sIX.
But Mr.. Souhard says, "ihe Secretary cannot call
into service and put on pay, han the number pro-
vded for by the appropriations" II he had said ought
true. or the AIS Midshipmen and Passed Mid.
sh'pmen, on the register the 1t of January.
1929, IL j. believed there were not mpre than %
who were not under pay. The number under pay
therefore, about 1922 when the number contained
in the estimates is 402, shelving that there were about
20 under pay han were "praviled for by the an
rropriaons; by giving orders eight of his new ap
Pointmen's IN February, he made the still great
err.
1t believed, that each year. for the last three or
four years of his administrations Mr.. Southland kept un
der pay number of Midshipmeu conilerahy larger
than he reported to Congress in his estimates.
Tit be objected that he could not have obtained the
money to pay them, we reply, that Mr.. Southardwas
never at loss for money so long there any let
under the head Of appropriation. Although it was Pc
remporily forbidden by the laws which he was bound
to by, he found any diff cul,y in taking money
IL 10 another. Whenever investigation shall take
place, il will be found that these unlawful transfers
were made by bin, to the amount Of HUNDREDS OF
: THOUSANDS anu probably MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
Ii will be found that his expenditures for some pur.
poses exceeded the amouos apr opriacd by hundreds
Of thousands which taken out Of other appro p ia.
tons.
But do not propose enter into any detail of the
enormous abuses committed by MIR. Southland, in tina
important branch OF his duties
Mr. Southad's articles well spiced with praise
his noble sell, and Pepered with abuse of the present
Secretary.
In one place he save Sc The difference (be,w.er
1870 and 400 Mdshipmen) is not greater Than might be
expected from the minds of the essentially diff
ierentand looking 10 objects enl ends entirely opposite
| efficiency O
The Navy, ard The other to petty savings and misera-
BILE exPedieps the one, carrying fully into effect the
vie OF the Government by expanding the appropria
tons in providing materials in building ships repairing
vessels, and keeping them always ready fer the various
services in the projection Of commerce, which
they were destined and the other, permitting no re-
pairs, building no shPs and suffering the decay and de-
strucon OF the vessels, for the wretched economy OF
saving money which Congress have wisely and liberal
ly appropriated"
Again says he =" There ia this reflection which
! tof n,asa ~
American people that he has any capacity for office by
these petty details Nor can he compensate the wan
OF ability in the administration of the Department, by
his excessive zeal in little things Nor will he elevate
his character by the ambition of casting cloud
over his predecessor"
Agsin -" Mr.. Southland acted upon his best iudg.
men, with the best advice and with great personal Y
perience. But the present Secretary, with no know
ledge OF the service, and totally incap9citaed by the
character Of his mind and the habits Of his life under
takes reform with view TO economy, and not to the
ehclency OF this arm OF our defence, and fixes the mum
Der OF Mdshipmen a, 400"
| Again -" There is no doubt we can do with 400
Midsiipmen, and might. for a iime do with 800 OF
200 ii IL equally true that we may get along will
ball the number OF ships and officers, and seamen. =
hoat that we may for time, dispense with the buiId
ing OF ships that We may refuse to repair them, and
that vast system Of Tc,renchment may be introduced
ans palmed of on the people economy and reform
| But soon the ships will decay the officers will dissp
pear; the Navy, the p;de and glory Of the couutry
VIII sink our commerce, extending to every sea, will
and we again attempt TO profit by neutral POSITION
we shall snd arenewal Of DEGREES and ockades tn 81
will require the rtion OF naval power, and with.
out it, property will he swept ifog the ocean and
our commerce and navigation snnihila'ed. The pre-
sent Secretary Will then be remembered as the aulho
OF go much evil Then the fatal policy Of these pit'u
savings will be felt His sdmnsa ion Of the Depart
ment, characterized by total ucspac'y, will be-
jest and bywod, and he will appear history like hin
who destroyed The temple"
And again This matter Of he Mid hipmeu j. on
OF little consequence but as The part OF system viii,
tends (, the destruction Of the Navy That system Is
now in operation and prey God 10 avert its evils from
this land"
This is very melancholy 70 bs sure. II The realsrs
OF the Journal believe its 6otons, and there he va
iriot among them, he hes doubtless shed many tea
over the terrible caamies which this administration
IL Represented TO have brought upon the Navy But
II he will read the truth, he may wipe his ewes
"Facts are stubborn thngs," and TO facts we appeal
Has the present Secretary diminished the Nava
Force in commission No-he has increased H. II
~ lie In O