The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-06-12

House towards the close OF the session by the
report of the Committee on Naval Affairs, and
then the relative merits of League Island and
New London we're considered. The superiority of
New London as a location for a naval station
insisted upon by the gentleman from Connect.
cut and others representing the interests of that
State. During the last Congress he and others,
members and citizens, urged ITS claims in every
way.
Sir, am not surprised at this. never
believed that the citizens of this country had no
right to impress their views upon their Repre-
sentatives, or that those Representatives it con-
vinced, had no right to urge those views upon
Congress. think the gentleman and his coad-
tutors performed no more than their duty by
presenting the views OF their constituents on a
question in which they were interested. But
sir, the claims of League leland are not to be
preiudged by any such argument as that they
have been heard and presented tor years.
Mr.. Speaker, there is another attempt in my
estimation 10 make difficulty in this House or to
create prejudice. The gentleman speaks of the
formation of the Committee on Naval Affairs.
He speaks of it In this Congress, and he refers
to Il in the last Congress. No member from
Pennsylvania has complained of the formation
of the Committee on Naval Affairs IN this Con
gress, the last Congress, or the Thirty-seventh
Congress. Now, the Committee of the last Con-
gIsss reported against League Island. They
considered IL and must have acted on their best
Judgment. They considered it with the light
which was then thrown on the question. We
have now other information, and refer TO one
strong point, the letter of Captain Fox Assistant
Secretary of the Navy, In regard to the back
channel. The Naval Committee of this session
had this point investigated, and it may have
induced the report of this bill and the recon-
mendation of its passage.
The gentleman from New London has GER
tanly urged with great earnestness it's claims
as the best place for this naval station. But
he has told you nothing In reference to the
indefensbi bility of New London. He endeavors
to stigmatize League Island as a mud-hole, but
says nothing of its perfect delensbility. He
endeavors to show that the distance of League
Island from the sea is one hundred miles. For
the sake OF his argument, he makes II twenty
miles more than it really is. He perhaps has
never travelled along the Delaware river He
knows nothing about its distance from the
ocean. | really believe he preftrs to remain in
ignorance of everything connected with It.
i can in no other way account for his we'll
worded abuse and depreciation OF its countless
merits and advantages.
But, sir, let all that 90. The gentleman does
not tell you of the great defect of New London.
/ speak on this question as If the gentlemans
substitute provided only for the establishment
of navy yard at New London. l look at it in
that way and in no other. One great defect of
his favorite place is the want of facilities in pro-
curing labor. The site suggested is three or
four miles from city with population which
] will not say is insufficient to I'll up black
smith shop with skilled wOrlmen, but where
you certainly cannot get supply OF the me-
chanical labor required. 1t is city which,
from natural causes, cannot hold population
exceeding twelve thousand. You cannot posi-.
bly, extend limits SO as to provide for an in
creased population, it being SO surrounded by
high hills of hard rock that its growth must
forever be impeded. 1t is not, therefore, fit
ting place for the great naval station for such
q navy as the United States will require.
But, sir, one great advantage of League
Island is that an enemy's fleet could not
reach it,
Now, sir, as have said before, the PROPOSE
tion of the gentleman from Connecticut is in
| nfDaA Lick, "a
New London, and nothing else. The gentleman
cares nothing about the proper requisites fol
such great yard. He knows that his locality
is not the place for naval station OF the
character desired. His object is to place ii in
the harbor of New London, among the rocks,
Sir, that is no place to build iron-clads; you
cannot get the material there out of which to
build them without going to an enormous eX
pense and the salt water would Corrode them
when built.
Now, word as to the question of filing UP
League Island so as to secure proper founda
| ton for the necessary buildings. 1t will not
| cost much. The gentleman says you must &C
| to New Jersey for material. Yes, say you car
go to Red Bank, in New Jersey, which is imme
diately opposite, only mile or two off, and ge'
as much gravel as you want, and bring it across
| the Delaware at trifling cost. There is plenty
| OF material coming from the iron works O
Philadelphia for filing up that part of it which
the committee terms, think, "marsh land"
know something about that island. 1t happens
| 10 be in my district, and l have been upon i
many times. There are five or SIX truck farm
| upon 1T; and there are buildings upon it which
| have stood for years.
The gentleman speaks of it as being an un-
| healthy location. Talk to me about League
| Island not being a healthy location! The gen
| tleman might as well tell me that onehalf of m,
| district is unhealthy Sir am well acquainted
| with TIE immediate neighborhood of the island
and can truly say that l am not mistaken il
| denying this charge of want of health, 1t i
healthy, and inhabited by people who live d
good old age, and who will be surprised to hea
! of 1t being sickly
| want fair and proper consideration of tn
! bill. l am anxious that proper naval station
| should be selected, and desire the House to vot
on this bill understandingly. Let us pass it, ant
| start great yard, one equal to all the require
| ments of the country. What is the use of having
another commission appointed? We have hai
| commissions heretofore, and in spite of the
| reports Congress has never decided agaiEs
League Island and never will upon such argu
ments as have been presented by its enemies.
Why should we distrust the Secretary of tn,
Navy Has ne any interest in League Island
| Ii he felt as the gentleman from Connection
| does, being from Connecticut, he would esta
! blish this navy yard at New London; and it i
| because he will not do that that my friend doei
not ike the Secretary. Captain Fox the Assistan
| Secretary, rs, believe, citiZenLof Massachu
| setts, and think the heads of nearly all tn,
| bureaus in the Departments are from New Eng
| land; yet am not unwilling to take their view
| on TINS subject am not even unwilling to tak'
! the views of Rear Admiral Smith, to some eX
| tent. know, sir that those officers of an Older
generation do not see the fitness OF the Delaware
| river for naval station; for when they helC
commands IN the Navy sailing ships only wer'
used, and 1t did take some time to come up tC
| Philadelphia. That is the secret of their oppo
| sition. Well sir, they have done honor to theil
country in their time; but they are passing away
and it is too late in the day, after this question
has been so thoroughly discussed, not only il
| this House and in its Naval Committee, but il
the Navy Department. Tor us TO hesitate to esla