The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-08-11

out
Rp VAN wrNKrE WEILEs AND HIS Boar
RAoE.-Old welles and his Navy Department
understrappers and managers declared that the
double-ender Algonquin was worthless, and
that her engines ought TO 60 to the scrap heap
The builders of the Algonquin denied this
pretty boldly and challenged the Navy Depart
ment to test the question in fair and open
way by race-the Algonquin against any YES
sci of q similar class that the department might
choose to name. This was q pretty stout de-
fance, and the Navy Department, thus chal-
lenged before the country. and unable to see
any escape, ordered the trial. But II proposes
the funniest boat race heard Of yet We all
knew that Old Welles didn't know much about
war, or about ships or about any part OF the
business Of bis department.; but no one was pre-
pared to believe that secretary Of the navy
could be 80 stupid as not to know what boat
race was. But It appears that old Welles has
got the same idea of boat race that he had of
war. II IL the real Rip Van Wrinkle idea-the
sleepy, drowsy notion Of q comfortable
man, who wants to be left at his
ease and hates excitement, enthusiasm,
and all that. The comic almanacs used to have
picture Of man fond of fishing and also fond
OF his ease. He couldn't endure the days row.
ing or tramping, or take the chances Of weather
or luck; so his servant put little sinners in a
tub while the gentleman fshed them out at his
leisure and never left his cosy parlor. That is
Old Welles' idea exactly. He proposes that
the two racers shall be tied to dock, and then
20 1.-THE paddles splashing terribly, the water
tuning, but all In good order and quiet, and
quite at ease and Old Welles in a window look
ing on. The boat that oan get up the most
steam, or In favor Of which certain engineers
will swear the hardest, shall be considered the
best boat And that is the way they do things
Sin official circlcs.' Suppose the same plan
were tried for two race horses Suppose that
the two dne-limbed snorting beauties, all fire
and spirit, were put each into treadmil and
then started whip and spur for three hours
the one that revolved his mill the fastest to win
Would that be race. or in any way fair test
of the horses? Certainly not. Neither is Old
VChOb PiVpOoCu pau q 'Oo" law Va !" AesAA
trial of the boats. II is absurd-ridiculousl
nonsensical and only to be hooted at If the
purposes Of the Navy Department men are fair
in this matter, why not give up this artful dodg
ing, accept the challenge in straight up and
down style and settle the question fairlys
The CONTRACT FULpfILED-The Honorable
/ Ben Wood (prics twenty-five thousand dollars
in goldl appears inclined to fuifli bis political
contracts. whatever he may do with his lottery
contracts. He received twenty-five thousand
dollars in gold from the Jake Thompson fund
and It would appear that It is not exhausted
yet, for he continues 10 abuse President John
son and his administration every day, denounc
ing the government a. a military tyranny, and
30 forth We should like the Hon. Ben (price
twenty-five thousand dollars in gold) 10 Tell as
when the contract Is to end. The rebellion il
over; the South ia ali right; its citizens are
taking the oath of allegiance and returning ia
their duty as loyal men. We want the Hon
Ben (price twenty-five thousand dollars in
gold) to assist us in the reconstruction OF the
South, and we are therefore anxious to know
when the contract expires.