Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1875-12-08
abroad. All that we had OF 1t, laid up by the old
navy Ummissioners.
WAS CONSUMED DURING THE WAR,

w S CONSUMED DbklN6 The WAR;
and the Department has been endeavoring for the
last few years, whenever il mad the opportunity
and the means. 10 secure what could be had for
present use, or to be laid up season for the
future use of the navy. All our new wooden ships
have been built OF it, and whatever building or
repairs done should he, as far as possible, of
this lasting material, which is as usefui for the
backing f armored ships as for the frames OF
wooden c. useTs
The commapdant of the Marine corps makes
favorable report OF the discipline and service OF
the officers and men Of his command. The corps
Is reduced thousand men from It's aut hOriZed
number by the limitation OF the appropriation.
More tAan twO-thirds of the whole humber are
at sea, and he remainder are invaluable as the
uucleuSes OF organization and drill ami as guards
Of the public property at the various stations
think it Congress wOu d provide that the officers
OF his aDc6 OF the naval service should be ap
pointed from the Naval Academy, and subjected
TO reg ular Nominations for promotion. the stand
ing ana elnciency OF the corps Wouiu oe largely
improved and the Government would at the same
time ilize O larger extent the educational
opportunities afforded to IT'S benefciaries at the
academy.
The report concludes as follows:
1t is gratifying to be able to report that the
navy is now in a stronger and more etheient con-
dtiOn than it has ever been at any time at least
since the commencement Of your administI alton.
Ii is not very strong in the number nor In the
classes OF its sh ps. but what there are Of them
are In as good condition as IL is practicable to
keep such materials of war, uDcer the various
and trying conditions to which they are, 10 the
nature Of their service co stantly exposed A
TAR larger proportion taan usual OF our wooden
ships reany for service; our iron-clad fleet Is
efficient; store houses fairly stocked with
ordnance, equipments and supplies, and we have
on hand fair supply OF the best material for the
building and repair OF ships.
The service has been placed ia this state OF eff
cheney. compared with what existed a lew years
ago, by utilizing, except in the case of the eight
slOops built under special appropriation, what
could be spared from lne current appropriations,
and from the appropriations made during the
Cuban emergency, and applying these means
practically aud steadily toward putting what was
worth saving OF the navy as II existed in as per
manent good condition as the state OF the ships
and The means at command permitted. The
WISDOM OF THIS POLICY
is, l think, illustrated by the strength Of our
position to-day. 1t would be also we'll, | thiuk,
II Congress would afford the means 10 finish at
once the repairs of the five ouble-terreted mon
itOrs, since when they are finished, according to
the present design. our irGn clad feet Will be
much more powerful: and they are, while under
going repairs. useless for any present purpose,
and the process OF repairing them out of what car
be spared from current appropriations, not only
crippes the Department 10 all its OTHER opera
tons. but is of eOurse, very slow. With these
added 10 il our iron clad force would tor purposes
of defense, present very substantial barrier to
anything which would cross the seas and attempt
TO enter our ports.
IN CONCLUSION,
l neg to express my oblig ations the chiefs and
officers OF the several bureaus of the Department
for their good Judgment, skill and efficiency in
the various branches committed 10 their care
and to the experienced chief clerk of the De
partment. for the very valuable assistance con-
stantly afforded him In the discharge of his
duties.