The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-01-15
The United states Nayy-Lsgislatien
or . Negative Character.

The United states Nayy-AsgislatieA
or . Negative Chsraeter.
We have often depiored the incomprehen-
sible manner in which Congress treats every
maritime question that comes before it for
legislation. There seems to be neither O ca
pacity for Distinguishing the demands of the
public nor disposition to consider the re-
quirements Of the navy When the Virginius
excitement was at its zenith an indignant
press and people pointed to the feebleness OF
our squadrons but took comfort in the fact
that Secretary Robson had opened all the
naval dookyards on the Atlantic seaboard,
and had exerted himself even beyond the
limits permitted by the letter of the law to
put the navy in fit condition to maintain the
honor of the country in Cuban waters ''Oh j.
was the CRY of everybody, ''when Congress
meets the navy will be placed on respectable
footing again, and Santiago massacres
will not be repeated" We confess that we
participated in this enthusiastic credulity,
and were glad 10 note the promptl-
tude with which the House acted on
the bill to provide the extraordinary
appropriations to cover the war preparations.
But no sooner did the Northwestern Empire"
members perceive that the Virginius difficulty
had been settled by diplomacy than the
navy estimates were attacked, aud notorious
''economist'' from this city undertook to
assail that arm of the service which has re-
fected credit on our people since tho Revolu-
ton Of '76. Some appropriation bill must be
condemned; some pressing public necessity
must serve for the subject Of dyspeptic
diatribe; members must defend the Treasury
What do they care for the navya It is not an
engine of political power. 1t cannot control
primaries. It has no offices that can be
filed by the ward statesmen or Mississippi
fatboat men, and hence there is no political
spoil to compensate for generous outlay. II
war breaks out a navy will spring up in day;
ships can be built of green wood and Pennsyl
vania iron, and cannon be adapted by our
clever Yankee carpenters; and as for seamen,
the Western member evidently believes they
can be shipped on the Western plains or
down in the coal mines; and this is the method
we are to adopt in order to maintain any little
prowess that may remain to us on the sea.
We are not exaggerating the sentiment among
our Congressman; we call attention to the
debates for proof Now, is it not time that
this kind of Legislation" should cease? Has
not the moment arrived when careful scru-
tiny of the necessities of the navy and
proper estimate of our relations with Spain and
the South American republics should impel
Congress to take an intelligent view of our
naval decrepitude? Throughout the proceed
ings, which we have watched with keen
interest, we have noted but one member who
would appear to be in harmony with public
opinion on this question. We mean Mr..
Archer, of Maryland. He has ably and clearly
presented the case to Congress, and we hope
that he will not weary OF well doing. MIR.
Hamlin, of Maine, presented a joint resolution,
day before yesterday, providing for the ap-
pointment of two Representatives and
two Senators, two naval officers not be-
low the grade Of commander to form
commission to report on the condition Of
the navy at the next session. This action
will be altogether too tardy. What we need is
ImuieO1ate auu E1o1VuS0 lAVestA&auou, nPPIO-
priations for an iron-clad feet the passage of
bill which will provide for carrying into
effect Captain Luces able plan for manning
the navy and educating class Of Lads who
in the hereafter of the service may become
seamen and petty officers. At any moment
the United States may become involved in a
war in the American tropics and the policy
which condemns the navy to continued mac
tivity is as shortsighted as it is penny wise
and pound foolish.