American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1844-12-06

TENT WIN the thorough examination necessary
to correct conclusions.
In discharge of the duty devolved on me by
the section first above recited, 1 repaired to New
York and examined the site at Brooklyn and
the plans of docks submitted for my inspection.
One OF these was Gilhert's balance dock land
the other the sectional docks OF Messrs. Moody
* Dakin. Both are floating docks. Messrs
Moody Dakin have patented plan OF basin
and railway as an appendage TO receive the YES
sci which has been elevated by their dock. |
am not aware that this last improvement had
been put into actual operation, otherwise than
by model. In view Of the terms employed
and OF the duties imposed, by the two sections
above referred toll construed the law toreqnite
the establishment of Dry Dock at Brook lyn.
With our own experience OF the admirable adap
tation Of such structures to the purposes OF the
Navy, confirmed by the practice Of the princi-
pal maritime powers Of Europe, feel it to be
clearly my duty to proceed with the stone Dry
Dock already commenced on plan similar to
those which had been so successful at Norfolk
and Boston. or the relative properties and ad-
vantsges of floating docks with or without ba
sin and railways, and OF the stone Dry Dock,
for the purposes Of the Navy, do not deem 1t
proper 10 express opinion, las the aid in TO- m.
ing correct conclusion to be expected from the
board charged with that inquiry, by the direc
TX u Oh congress, was DOL Ill my coHihdhu'
The work on the stone Dry Dock is progress
sing in satisfactory manner, under the dIrec-
ton of WIN. Gibbs Mcneil, Esq as Engineer
IF the Dock.
The estimates from the Bureau Of Yards and
Docks also provide for improv ements at the
several Naval Hospitals. These improvements
are iieved to be important for the protection
of the public property ard to ensure the safs
and judicious treatment OF the sick. The Ma
w Hospital Fund is not sufficient to bear so
heavy an outlay at once, and it is respectfully
submitted for the consideration OF Congress
whether an appropriation shall be made for these
objects in aid OF he fund.
would also respectfully state that there are
now confined in the several Naval Hospitals,
twelve insane persons belonging to the Naval
service. These noble edifces, which have bt en-
constructed for the accommodation and comfort
Of the sick and disabled, have no suitable apart
men!s for the treatment Of the insane. Those
suffering under this deplorabe malady cannot
receive that judicious treatment, which has, in
modern times, so frequently led to a recovery OF
reason, and the rawlings OF the manaic often prove
highly mi udicious 10 the sick inmates of the
hospital, therefore, suggest that, if it shall
be the pleasure of Congress to provide an asy.
lum for the insane Of the District of Columbia,
provision may be made for the insane oi the
Navy and Amy in the same establishment.
invite attention to a report from the Bureau
OF Ordnance and H' biography on the subject OF
the delays and difficulties encountered in pro-
curing, under contract, as required by existing
laws, ordnance and gunpowder. The opera
ton OF the proviso TO the act of the Sd March,
lS43, which requires that all supplies for the
Navy, when time will permit, shall be procur-
cd by contract with the lowest bidder after ad-
veItlsement, has not promoted the public inte-
rest, nor secured to the public, in all cases,
the Advantage of full and fair competition
To the head of the Department and the Off
GERS making purchases, it is great safeguard
against rcproaches or imputations OF improper
preferences. But experience has demonstrated
that the public interest is not promoted in pro-
curing many of the most important and ncces-
safy supplies for the Navy in this mode. Some
oil these are ordnance, gunpowder and medicines.
The law gives no discretion but the lowest bid
der is TO have the contract, whatever may be
his means, his experience or skill. If he de-
clines, which he may do without penalty it is
to be offered to the next, and so on, until, n It
un'requently, injurious delays occur, and we'll
founded complaints are made, that by com5ina-
ton among bidders, the prices paid are higher
than the articles would have cost in open mar
ket.
deem it 10 be my duty to ask that the pio-
visions of this law, applying only to this De-
paitment, may be revised and modified.
The building Tor Depot of Charts is compile
ted, and a substantial wall constructed around
the square. The grading has been partially
made, and to complete it, and to construct a
house, tor the Superintendent, an estimate is sub
mltted 4 an appropriation recommended The
instruments purchased have been received and
placed in the Depot. They are we'll selected,
and may be advantagcously employed in tn"
necessary observations, with view to calcu-
late naut cal almanacs. For these we are now
indebted to foreign nations. This work may
be done by our own naval officers, without in-
jury TO the service, and at very small expense.
1t is confidently believed that, in the process Of
time, most perfect set of charts may be sup
Piled from the Depot to he Navy, and to the
commercial marine, entirely to be relied on Tor
accuracy, at the mere cost Of publ caton,
The operation of the system for supplying the
Navy with clothing, established by the act OF
26th August, 1872, has been highly satisfacto-
ry. An appropriation Of one hundred thousand
dollars is required to meet existing and future
Liabilities, which will call for payment before
the returns from the pay of the men will ena.
Bile the Department to continue the supplies
1t is believed that after this appropriation, the
addition to the per cent, on the prime cost, will
cover all losses, and the receipts meet the DIS
bnrsemen's, while the system possesses the great
merit Of furnishing to the seamen the best
clothes at moderate prices.
The Navy Hospital Fund, on the LIST day of
November, 1914, consisted of two hun red and
thirty thousand four hundred and thir,y-four
co lars and fourteen cents The number of aged
and disabled seamen who have sought home
at the Asy UNI near Philadelphia, has SO in
creased that 1t was found necessary to their
tomfort to provide for withdrawing the Cover,
nor and Surgeon from the rooms occupied by
them in the building. Two houses acc riding to
IT, original plan, have been erected and are
nearly completed, to be occupied by these off
GERS. small slip of ground adjoining the site
of the Asylum has been purchased at reasona
bic price These ale believed to be very i'm
portant additions to the establishment.