National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-02-10
TIE NAVY YARD.
whv II sbouId Not he 6bo,isbed

AspTeVtoUsly announced in THE REPUBLICAS
the residents Of East Washington and workmen
in the navy yard held a meeting on Monday
nigbt, at Odd Fellows hall, on Eighth street
east.
The meeting was called to order by Mr.. W. E.
VermilliOD, who stated the object to be to take
action in reference TO the Congressional com
mittee's report recommending the adjustment of
the Washington navy yard. Mr.. Richard En-
mons was elected secretary.
The Chair also called attention to the report Of
the Committee on Naval Affairs made to the
senate on the 18th Of January, in which it is
recOmmendCd that the Washington, Philadelphia
and New London navy yards be abolished There
is no navy yard at New London, for the Secretary
calls u naval station, and It is not propOsed 10
abolish the Philadelphia yard but TO remove n
TO League Island, distance Of three miles only
The report says The Washington navy ya:d
has too small an area for an extensive establish
ment, and has Of late years been used rather for
repairing and manufacturing than for building
The approach to 1t is by crooked and difficuit
channel; II Is far from the sea; 1t is remote from
supplies Of timber, iron and coal; the number of
skilled artisans is limited; and there is no work
done at II that cannot be more cheaply done and
the materials mere cheGply obtained at League
Island yard when that yard is put in proper con.
GtIS 70 90 II: The Washington navy yard is
ebinery, and in better locality for its purposes
would be OF great value"
1t is true LenLue Island is remote from the
sea, but the Washington navy yard has the same
advantage During the war there were but two
Yarus south OF this and when our vessels were
battered in Hampton Roads the benefit of the
yard mere was appreciated. They could not be
sent TO philadelphia for repairs, for thew couId
not stand the sea voyage, but they could be
Drought here, and here they were repaired. Il
was true that the channel was q devious one but
1t could be improved, and If the Govern ment
would appropriate so OOO. as fine a channel could
be made In the Eastern Branch as there is in the
country. As for material, IL was more cOnyeaient
than az League Island. AS for the want OF
skilled labor, there is mistake in the report of
the committee, for il is we'll known that during
the war there was more skilled labor here Than
was 10 be found elsewhere in the country and
the speaker instanced two engines built here by
men working eight hours per day $50 600 chez ner
than two bHilt by contract under ten hours WOLF
and the Warrington engines were finished in a
more superior and " OrkmCnlike manner in every
particular.
There we're evidences Of the superior workman.
ship OF the Washington mechanics to be found
everywhere, and the Minnesota was one of the
vessels which fully sUstains the reputation Of the
DullCers. One great reason Why the Government
should maintain the yard here is that the land
on which II 10 located was donated for the Dur
poses Of yard and TO revert ts the heirs Whenit
Shail cease 10 De used as such, and some OF the
heirs are still living. Thus if the Government
abOllsGes the yard IL will do so at great gacri-
nee. The report speaks Of the heaIthfulness Of |
the Philadelphia YARD which the speaker con-
ceded, and it recommends the enlargement of the
Norfolk lard. That place In 1855 was nearly de- |
populated by yellow fever, q disease which had |
never been epidemic here. II room ESI needed /
there was plenty Of room for enlargement here
In conclusion, he said that there was no good /
reason Tor the proposed action Of Congress- and /
many good reasons against 1t. Thousands or
PEOPLE would be beggared If the navy yard was |
rene we'd, and one OF the finest manufacturing es-
would be numbered with the things |
II the past
MessrF. Richard Jones, Joseph WsIIemyer,
Richard EmmOns and W. E. VermillIon were
.prointed committee 10 prepare a petition 10
congress, giving reasons why the yard should be
maintained, obtain signers and present the same.