The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1874-12-12
s tTURDAY. deer 18th, 1874.
Board of Admairattu Needed.

DOcCFtt VI dUHCeENOtJ NOOWCtOs
The American commerce was swept from the
ocean during the war by five rebel privateers
fitted up in English ship-yards. And we have
not yet recovered from the shock If Democrats
would reflect that they are responsible for this,
they might not be SO loud about the cry that
American products are carried in foreign bottoms.
As we intimated last week, we came near having
Naval combat in consequence of a few "Span.
ish butchers firing upon the "Virginius" carry
ing the American flag and manned BY American
seamen. That sudden scare frightened Congress
and the nation into frantic rush to the Navy
yards to fit up Naval vessels for the fght-six
millions were appropriated on sight for the pur-
pose of making start. A moment reflection
while remembering our scare over ths-teaches
US that we may be called upon some time, when
we least expect it, to meet an efficient Naval
power on the ocean. And unless we are better
prepared than at present we shall be caught with
out being ready in the slightest degree. In order
that we may have Naval power that shall be
efficient and competent to cope with the greatest,
it is necessary that our vessels shall be construct
ed with view to that end. In order to accom-
plish this those who will be obliged to sail and
handle them in action should be consulted and
allowed controlling voice in their construction
and equipment. Those who sail and manage
vessel in action the best judges of its eicien-
cy fer these purposes. They are the best judges
concerning hat mode of construction snouIu pe
pursued, what are the best materials to be used
and the most useful and efficient equipments they
should have. Unless we are laboring under a
grave mistake in the premises these matters are
now entirely in the discretion of the Secretary of
the Navy aided only By such advice as he chooses
to solicit from those in his Department. Eng
land and France are to day the great Naval
powers of the world. The former puts the man.
agement of its Navy in the hands Of six commits
sioners called Board of Admiralty, the Lord
High Admiral aud the Chief Secretary of the Ad-
miralty. In France the Navy is under the con
troll of the Secretary of the state of Marine, a
Council of Admiralty, composed of three Naval
officers OF high rank, and Council of Naval Work
composed of seven members of the Navy, each ex-
perienced in his special sphere. No vessel is con-
structed or equipped or any Naval movement
taken until the opinions of all these taken and
a conclusion arrived at
What is needed to place the American Republic
in its proper light before the world is the organ
izaton of Naval Board, composed of the most
experienced and reliable men in the employment
of the Navy, who shall be advisers to the SecFeta-
r vf THO f1uvy upon all questions concerning the
construction and equipment of Naval vessels, of
Navy yards and the direction, employment and
disposition of Naval forces in time Of war. The
report of the Secretary of the Navy shows that
we have l65 vessels and that only IS of them,
carrying 9O2 guns, are fit for use. Last year We
spent S26, OOe, 900. The facts show that one-half
the Navy to-day is unservceable. There is some
thing wrong. Let Congress create a Board of
Admiralty from practical men in the Naval SER
vice and the Navy Department, whose opinions
shall be taken in writing, by the Secretary of the
Navy, and recorded in the Department upon all
important questions concerning the management
of the Navy and the Navy Department Let the
President appoint and the Senate confirm. Or
ganize Board of this sort to enlighten the Sec
rotary of the Navy in the control of our Naval
destiny and we will not continue to spend our
millions annually and have an inefficient Navy,
and half Of that absolutely useless.