The New York herald., 1877-12-03

repair TO increase our squadrons to y sufficient szo
would require larger expenditure than practicable
present condition OF the Treasury probably
larger Than would be justinable any time
revenue from customs shall be sufficiently increased
Al may expect this from gradual development OF
commerce, as soon as IL occurs We may gradually
carry the up the point OF Improve
msnt, point TO be decided by the existing wants Of
trade II is manifesuy outy to keep the navy n sucn
condition make 1t available future for all
purposes for which Il may be designed. Considering
1t in this light, the estimates for the ensuing year
have made with reference only TO ordinary ex-
pendures, such absolutely necessary repairs
and limited construction No new ships estimated
than the receipts OF the Treasury will be likely 10
justify Those now possessed and In progress will be
and Il from any emergency not anticipated larger
| number OF vessels should be demanded, tho expcr-
snce Of the lalo war has proved that we must rely
terial OF . navy Whenever II Is demanded.
BENEFITS
This mercantile marine depends TOR ectiveness
and upon the protection given TO cOmmerce by
the government, necsssarlly increasing with The In
crease oil commerce. II We had steamship lines
running directly from our ports TO all leading
commerciAi ports in the world, they would not only
increase our revenue render IL easy to i'm
provise . navy IN the event o unexpected emer-
gency These vessels are constructed Tor speed and
can be easily converted purposes naval warfare
capacity give naval protection 10 our commerce
creases and hence We hnd one ground for the neces
s,ty of keeping our navy In q condition 10 furnish
this protection.
Further on the Secretary says-
Tho navy in its present condition, compared with
that OF any other Power has less aggressive force
except during the war; and less power 70 nhict
injury upon the commerce OF an enemy. Indeed the
TACT cannot be concealed, and ought be- is
we'll known TO other nations that third aud
fourth rates, almost without exception, superior
us In this respect.
MONITORS.
For years past large sums havc been expended
in refttiLg number OF vessels Of the class known
monitors. Perhaps under tne particulars conditions
and uncertain relations win another Power,
cent 10 the Gull OF Mexico Lney could be effectively
| employed connection with othor vessels and Tor
| purposes IL Is mol now pertinent TO discuss Apart
| from these monitors and q considerable amount OF
material ior construction now on hand, have but
lte comparatively, 70 show for these large expen-
| ditures.
The Secretary Is inclined to favor the building
OF heavy armor-plated gun-bearing vessels They
lkened 10 movable fortifcations aud II IL shall re-
suit that the OF them shall be dispensed with
| mako place Tor improved ships, rams ana torpedo
vessels, then the navy become sufficiently efec.
| tive II supplied with fast sailing aud fast steaming
vessels OF different classes built, rs they
built elsewhere to serve in time Of peace schools
OF instruction Tor seamen, ana In time war TO
| destroy the commerce OF an enemy
THE APPROPRIATIONS
The appropriations available Tor the present fiscal
year, commencing July 1877, $l3 592 932 80; the
TO November l. 1877 is So 343 O37 80 OF ,his amount
there Is estimated to have boen the hands OF pay
s1s sns s agen ~ Of Inc on
inga total of $lo9 52S 3O whicn deducted from the
amount drawn will show the actual expenditure
| $43l3, 600 10. The estimates tor the present fiscal
year are 1888 2s4 40, exclusive Of $2,8l42si sub
| mitted Tor new buildings, repairs and improvements
| at the several navy yards.
In the report OF the Secretary Of the Navy Of No
vembsr 90 1875, the for pay OF the
navy for the present fiscal year 81 800 OOO the
computation being based upon the number of officers
ana men then borne 9, upon the register. Congress,
only 50, 600 000 $7000O0 less than the estimate
This viii necessarily produce deficiency at tho end OF
the above amount, the payment Of which to
| the officers and men Is 50 1xed BY law that
anS S extra
had reference only 10 the Last fiscal year endng
sna was pnsed Sas os opoa ne % s
Office, whereas the deficiency here referred esti-
mated Tor the present fiscal year, ending June 80,
| 1878.
| THE NAVAL ACADEMY
The Naval Academy receives words Of praise from
| the Secretary, and he recommends, among other
things that number shall specially edu-
Gated or tho positions Of naval constructors to
piete their education leaving the Academy der
the tuition OF an experienced naval CONSTRUCTOR at q
| navy yard.
ESTIMATES FOR NAVY YARDS.
The estimates tor the several navy such
amounts only supposed TO be absolutely indis-
pensabs to keep them good condition Tho Secretary
the cob dock at the New York Navy Yard, otherwise
he says, it will slide back TO Its original condition,
work OF years will be entirely lost TO the government
THE wALLABoUT PURCHASE.
BY the act Of FebTuary 70, 1871 the PRESIDENT was
authorized 70 organize commission OF three men,
bers who required TO equitable
the conveyance TO the city OF Brooklyn OF portion
| OF the Navy Yard situated Wallabout Bay for a
public market This commission has been organized,
| but has made no report and the Secretary in
| view Of tnat fact deems IL his duty to
| say that from q personal inspection Of the
| premises he thinks this important navy yard would
be seriously injured by this sale. II is not supposed
that intended the act referred 10 as an abso-
lutte sale, and that the deed Of conveyance should
mace upon the report ofthe commission without further
m hut az nnnw Vnnln ho
matter Of form merely, but II II be otherwise he sug-
gess, and Congress still retains fun power over the
| matter, that It may yet in its discretion decide
whether or no the properly shall DO sold.
| An Appropriation OF $4oo,0 900, to bo Immediately
available, Ii recommended for the purpose OF con
tnuing the stone dry dock at Mare Island. Reports
| from the latc commandant at Mare Island snow q
grea. decrease in the depth Of water at the DOCKS and
| viii soon bo impracticable TO bring vessel
| OF even moderate draught OF water alongside the
DOCK The Secretary considers all the objects esi-
mated for necessary and economical. AS the only
navy yard upon The Pacific coast, It is unnecessary
debate upon tho great value OF that at Mare Island
Situated az 1t Is, behind the defences OF San Fran.
cisco, having that growing and important city to draw
upon skilled labor and material Of all kinds and
being tho only port at which our vessels OF war from
the North and south Pacific can be properly repaired
| It's importance cannot DO over-estimatcd.
| Attention Is called to the Pensacola Navy Yard
which, the event Of hosliIites In the Guf Of Mex.
leo, would become Of she first importance. All the
| pairs. There is no good reason why 1t should
not become In the future building we'll
| live oak reservations would render that costly
material cheaper there than at the more Northern
yards tho long wafer carriage would be avoided
| and Il has the excellent iron and OF Southern
Alabama almost AZ ts gates An IRON dry dock already
contracted or 10 IN process OF construction and Is
designed this yard. 1t is the intention OF the de-
partnent to havo II towed TO tho yard soon as the
proper season for doing so shall arrive and
| safely attended 10.
THE TORPEDO sYsTKM.
Tho Secretary recommends that tho Appropriation
asked for the bureau having charge OF expert
be granted He considers that suitable armorcd
torpedo boats Will be necessary adjuncls TO our mon-
tors and other systems OF defence.
He suggests the necessity oi extending the opera
tions Of the law establishing system Of deposits in
the army Tor the savings OF Inc soldiers SO 10 in.
| cude the appointed and enlisted men and boys and
marines OF the navy.
The Naval Observatory Is commended to tho appro.
baton and fostering care oi Congress. change in
the location OF that building account OF sanitary
! reasons Is strongly urged.
THE MATTERS or CONTRACTS.
Attention is called to the suggestions from the
Bureaus oi Steam, Engineering aud 20 pme nts I'D
Recruiting in reference to the purchase OF iron Tor
che Ar Ao La