National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-29
The WARRINGTON NAVY YARD.

| Dill was introduced IN Lnc penaLe
few days ago to abolish the Washington
navy yard, also the Philadelphia and New
London stations. The Philadelphia yard
has already virtually been abolished and
transferred to League island, and the New
London station amounts to nothing. The
bill is, therefore, aimed at the Washington
navy yard; is supposed to be in the inter.
est of contractors, and is said to be sup.
ported from selfish motives by Virginia,
Florida and Eastern members, who have
naval stations in their districts, and hope
by getting this yard abolished to have more
money for use at their several stations; also
to get the splendid machiney here trans
ferred to them.
Although it is not generally known, the
Washington navy yard is the most i'm
portant station in the United States, as is
proven by the following facts which canno!
be controverted
1t possesses the best facilities for con-
structing steam machinery in the United
States, or of any one established in the
world. This is substantiated by reports of
naval officers and experts who have per-
sonally examined such establishments in
Europe. 1t is the only mandatory of
bolt and sheet copper; the only one in
which all anchors and chain cables re-
quired for the navy can be made; the only
one having facilities for the construction of
galleys and cooking utensils required for
use with naval service.
The only ordnance establishment is loca-
ted here, Gall the others being mere repair
shops and nine tenths of all the gun car
riages, guns, shot, shell, &c, necessary for
the arming Of vesselsare manufactured here
Some of the finest ships in the service were
built here ; among which may be men
toned the Minnesota, st. Marys and Bran
dywine.
1t also possesses the very finest wharf
facilities, with fine fresh water, which is
celebrated for its curative qualities, and the
river is seldom closed by ice. Until within
a very few years the largest ships in the
world could go to and from the yard, and
can do so now with a small expenditure,
not exceeding fifty thousand dollars for
dredging none of which has been done
since the yard has been located here. 1t
has equal facilities by water and rail with
other stations, and for the purchase of ma
terial possesses greater advantages. 1t is
the only yard close to the coal and iron
regions of Maryland and Virginia. Cum
berland coal can be delivered here for
about one half of what it costs at Eastern
stations, and all materials required for the
construction Of the different classes of work
done at the several stations can dc delivered
here as a general thing cheaper. Labor is
in abundance, the greater portion of it
being from the South, the most of it being
unemployed during the greater part of the
year, and can be obtained cheaper here
than at any other station in the United
States.
In view of all these facts-which cannot
be controverted-it is hoped that the West
ern and Southern members from the int.
rior, who have no naval stations in their
districts, will join in a body and prevent
the adjustment Of this most important one,
and urge upon Congress the necessity of
making more liberal appropriations for
this yard than for any other in the country.
1t is located at the Capital of the nation,
and the interest of the whole country should
be conferred in it.
Although it is so reported, it is to be
hoped that the Virginia, Florida and East
ern members are not so unpatriotic and
selfish as to desire to abolish this yard, and
that all will join and make it, as it should
be, the pride Of the nation. The idea that
we have too many yards is perfectly absurd,
considering the present state of our navy.
1t will require all the facilities of every
yard we possess for the next fifteen years
to put our navy in a passable condition.
What the people want is a navy that will
be source of pride in time of peace, and
power to be feared by other nations.
The sooner Congressman get this idea into
their heads the better it will be for them
and the country. Twenty millions, at
least should be appropriated during this
session for the building of war vessels and
the manufacture of naval munitions of war.
President Grant has sent a message to Con-
gress in reference to the manufacture of
munitions for the army, which is all very
well, but in case of foreign war what we
want is an efficient navy