The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-03
MILLIONS OF MONEY SUNK.
MR. WdsHBURNE's SCHEME ron THE
EXTENSION or COMMERCE.
The wasting or the Nations Cash In old |
Iron, GILT buttons, and Gold incc-Tho |
Rottcn Ship. Of the LnIled Stntea Nnvy.

The Wasting or the Nations Cash In old
Iron, Gilt Buttons, and Gold Lnce-The
Rottcn ships of the United States Navy.
Tho Hon Charles A. Washburnc, ex-Min-
lister to Paraguay. and one OF the half dozen
Washhurncs who have represented the East
and West in Congress for many years. was en-
joyng the rapid transit of a bobtail Blocker
street car last evening. whom sun reporter
asked him what special grievance had drawn
from him his recent assault upon the United
States Navy. oh" replied Mr. Washburne. as
ho narrowly escaped falling from the bobail
car. which was rapidly jerkcd around the cor
ncr Of Centre street by the Tombs. have no
special grievance against anything. but It makes
my Yankee blood boil to SEQ SO much money
wasted"
"wastedY"
Yes. wasted in that informal department.
Why sir. il has averaged an expenditure of
twenty millions OF dollars n year ever since the
war. And what for? What have we got TO show
Tor it? Whore are the ships and what do thoy
do? We have no ships 81 war worthy the name.
and the few tubs we have are really Of no use
whatever. The Navy Department has cost this
nation 800. 900 600 since the surrender at APP
pomauox-anl that's n great deal Of money.
Where is it? What is there to show for 2"
"What would you suggcst2"
Something practical We need. Of course
the skeleton Of navy for certain Official and
commercial purposes. but thHt's all. Now. sup
pose Congrcss-whch frowns on subsidies. but
is very generous with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS to
appropriate one-hnf or less the present sum
voted for the support of our navy. and that tho
Secretary Oi the Navy were authorized To adNcr-
tise Tor the company that would cstal ish arcgu-
lar limo Of steam service between this country
md foreign ports with whom 1t Is desirable To-
| have commerce; TO that company governmental
guarantee or aid to be given. under the tircc-
! ton NJ the Secretary Of the Navy. on condition
that tho vessels built for the mercantile service
should ho of the first clHss, and convertible on
short notice into vessels OF war. You see that
| in this why the Department would always have
| nrst-cass vessels at Its command, the COM
| mercc OF the country would DO encouraged, and
millions OF dollars saved"
" But the officers -
| THE officers at present are ornamental. but
| decidedly not useful. Under this arrangement
| high-rank ,"nir'rS would have charge OF me
vessels, and the others be mates and other sub
! ordinate officers Being in literal service they
! would literally learn the art of scamanship. and
! be able To- bring something TO the aid OF their
! country besides the ability TO wear gold lace on
! their coats ana Kid gloves on their hands. The
| personnel Of the navy needs improving. and
! TINS plan would improve it.
! " Do YOU approve OF subsidies ?"
Decidedly no. There is something to be
said on that side of the question. but am not
now considering that, THE Sun has time and
| again shown the condition OF our navy That
condition ia disgraceful: but look at the cost;
| Why. for half that sum, a sum wasted, wasted
| in the most outrageous way. we might today
have half u dozen lines, well equipped. with
magnificent steamers. in place of the useless
hunks now rottng in the yards. and soon 10 be
! sold Tor old iron. our commerce would he re-
newed. and the iiag would again be seen out
Does ne present system initiate against
| commerce.
"Wc.l. lot mo give You an instance New
| York merchant conceived the idea OF n steait
| limo between san Francisco and Australia. IL,
huiu the vessels and put them on the route
Trade grew out ot IT, and proit was seen In the
future: He couldn't AFFORD TO sink capita
enough TO thoroughly establish the line, an'
asked Congress for sjOO.OOO n yenr. II was re-
fused. and the line WIS withdrawn. The hes
merchants say that ten millions Of dollars is
small os,lmat. Of the return that might hav
been expected by this time. The Government
would not do that-and am not arguing tina
it should. IN the shape Of a subsidy-but Con
gr.'-- did not hesitate to allow an expenditure
OF fifteen millions OF dollars at Mare Island; az
expenditure Of no earthly avail; Those mil
! lions. like the rest. were suuHndered, and 70
WHAT There Is. 10 hc sure there and clscwher,
a lot Of old hulks. old iron AZ the best-lunk u
port collins at sen. Right there We have cost
those good -for-nothing gnnboats.'
The country needs 10 hAye squadron ther
-" What iorY Aud what can squadron sue
as we nave dn. uliI a wnniaHp9inteI strhmr
l'op"riy commanded. couldn dof W" have
south Parn squadron. and what has 1t done !
~ last twelve years besides salnting the nag
| Brazil after Tie Florida outrage. and getting m
safety out of Uruguay Here IS another in
dent Hprupo-. Another New York merchan
one If your milliouuircs had a line ~ steamers
Elp. II WAS losing money. Ii bee had receive
.,ss stance. the line would have been continue,
ana our commerce aided. \ot q dollar could ;
/ EIt But Tire" millions of dollar, were spel
iu supporting "A squadron there, which was al
1, lutrly ami ludcrOu-ly useless
But. after all wouldn't the assistance
p Wi do you speak have been subsidy 2;
, That is just the point | wish To- make. VI
idea - a ~ ia the hands ut the Secretary uf a
r Navy shnll rest the power of select lon, decision
, and contract; the vessels 10 he built so III
their conversion into suiur OF war would
Pc neither costly nor dim ait; their officers 10
q naval on rr~. and their service to bee liternl
% at the call 81 the Governments The matte
would save at least half and think much mol
s than half. lis annual HpproprlItion; II won
save its pay To the OH rrs but. botter than all,
!. would ilud lis commerce extended. It's cltlzrl
pru-perrd. us nag once more ailpai. and in tin
Z Of need q. would have u navy worth having.
= sincerely hop-'
r Hrrr the hoh-taii ear switched with jerk in
; Ele'cN"r street. near the savings bank. AZ
L. without finishing his sentence the houprab
7 gentleman SANG cut Good night, and Walk'
Oh 10 his hotel.
> EACiV.ITIONS Ar OLYMPIA.
4 Some Interesting discoveries Along the sout