The Grand Haven news., 1862-03-12
For the Grand Haven News.
The Naval Depot Question.

The Naval Depot Question.
EDIroRs OF THE News: In note of
yesterday, to the Clarion" l intimated
the nature of the bill for the establish
ment of Naval Stations on the Lakes,
which the Committee had agreed upon,
and the expectation that it would be re-
ported at an early moment.
To-day, Mr.. ARNOLD got the floor and
introduced bill for the establishment Of
Naval Stations and National Foundry,
asking its reference to the Special Com
mittee on Harbor and River Deferses,"
of which he is chairman. AS the report
ed proceedings of Congress may lead to
confusion in the minds Of your readers,
who would readily be arrested by the pub
licity of any thing pertaining to the sub
ject of Naval Stations, it will be observed
that this bill comes from Mr.. ARNOLD,
and is not the report of the Committee
upon the Naval question, of which made
mention.
The House having appointed special
committee to consider and report upon
National Armory, and as incident thereto
the subject of n Foundry having also been
considered, member of that committee
Immediately contended for, and attempted
to secure, the reference of this bill to the
Armory interest of Naval Committee, re-
sulting, after considerable discussion, in its
being tabled. This has no bearing upon
the action of the Committee on "Lake
and River Defenses," any further than rs
an expression of the House that the res
pective subjects should be considered
formally, as the body through its commit
tee had classified them. AT an early day
the Committee on "Lake and River De-
fenses," through their chairman, Mr.. AR
MOLD, will report by bill, establishing three
Naval Stations, one on each of Lakes
Michigan, Erie and Ontario, appropriating,
severally, ONE HUNDRED THOUSAND
DOLLARS, and providing for their location
by three Commissioners, TO be appointed
by the President.
am reliably informed that were the
question of location one to be settled en-
tirely by the Committee, prompt con-
frmation Of the choice Of our State void
have been the result, in the selection of
Grand Haven as the suitable station for
Lake Michigan. When considered, how
ever, in the light of Congressional deter
mination, and the requisite appropriation
under the present condition of natioal f.
nances, the Committee, in patriotic pur-
pose to subserve the public veal, has WISE
ly adopted a course which will more GER
tainly ensure the establishment Of a sys-
tenn of defenses, by rising above all local
claims, in committing the determination
of locations 10 those who can not but be
actuated by considerations of general well
fare. With this conclusion no patriotic
impulse can Justly cavil Fully satisfied
with the method proposed for the circum-
stances, the question Of location, in mar
rover aspect, osteusbly reduces us to but
one competitor, and that is the city Of
Milwaukee. Upon an examination, which
the Commissioners will undoubtedly give,
it will, l apprehend, be found beyond a
question that the natural advantages of
harbor, water basin, natural defenses, Sc
questration and unexcelled naval timber,
concentrated at Grand Haven, will out
weigh all artificial considerations which
may be cumulated by Milwaukee-whose
better judgment will so far concede to a
place in which her commercial interests
are so proximately and intimately blend
ed rs 10 waive all controversy in the ulti-