Daily Republican., 1883-08-20
what John Roaeh Will Do.

The Nautical Gazette says that John
Roach, tho best abused man in Ameri-
ca, is preparing statsment Of his
ertire business relation with the Navy
Department, no far as contracts are
concerned, and from what we can
gather 1t will be Il most startling state
men,, aud ought to put some OF his
leading detaners and slanderers to the
blush. -,
One til ng we say-that statistics will
show that there never las been
"ring" among the shipbuilders re-
specting naval contracts, and If Mr..
Roach has been the lowest bidder, then
| by rs much rs be was below the sums
proposed by his competitors, rs much
was the Government the gamer.
These statistics will show that he has
not nonopolized the naval contracts
as charged, and II is possible that he
may show how par les (not ship-
builders) did conspire to put the price
of steel up, 80 AZ to cause the builders to
put price on the new cruisers far in
excess OF what they could actually be
built for.
We desire it to be distinctly under
stood that we are not the champion OF
Mr.. Roach, nor ever have been, and 1t
| is rarely we ses him or communicate
with him; but chance threw us in the
way of what we have written, and we
give il as an item of news. We may,
perhaps, bs writing what we would
wish to conceal for time, but "news
| is news" and we endeavor to be at the
front Oh that point
IL seems to us that the rivalry and
jealousy between the leading shipbuild-
ers while at times unpleasant, has nat
srally resulted in the Government be-
ing the gamer, 80 far as prices were
concerned. Mr.. Roach's paper will
SHOW just who has had the contracts,
aud il will be seen that shops whose
names are rarely seen in print have had
their share, and that the work has been
widely distributed"
Fort Mifliin's Lone sentinel Dead.
To.day's Philadelphia Record says /:
Ordinance Sergeant George W. I'rom
ley, who for many years has been the
sole guardian aud garrison Of old Fort
Mitilin, aud who Was the oldest soldier
in the Regular Army, was buried in
Mount NOn Cemetery, Darby, ye,ter.
day afternoon. The dead veteran had
been in the army within two years OF
halt a century when he died, and was
66 years OF age.
He was born in Norwich, Conn, on
August Sd, 1917, and enlisted in the
army on March 3Oth, 1885. Almost
Immediately he was sent to Fcrida, and
was engaged Ia the famous struggle be-
tween the Government and the Seln J.
mole Indians under their great Chief,
OsceOla.
He was with General Scott before We
III Cruz, took part in the battles Of Palo
Alto, kesaca de Ii Palma and Camar'
20, and was wounded in the memorable
Struggle at Monterey. Here he ,nadt
II valorous Charge at the head of his
company after all the commissioned
officers had b-eu shot down in the
TRENCHES. He GOT veil ii his wounds
in time to enter The Capital n,th Scott's
victorious army, after which be came
back to see no more battles.
He was one OF the garrison Of Fort
Miiilin while the war of the Rebellion
was being fought by younger Dut hot
more valiant soldiers than he. After
the war, and when there was no nece
>i'y for garrison ut the old tort h,
was placed in charge, aud faithfully
guarded it unit! death ended the watch
some years ago, when, AZ "A recogni
tion Of his long and valuable service
lie was offered il commission anu IA re
tirement with pay, he declincd the
honor, stood by his post ~ sole Military
Governor Of FOrt Mitiiin and died as IA,
had fought,a Sergeant in the RANKS.
The tiag at the fort was at halI-mas
yesterday, and he was borne to his las
resting place with military honors. Solo
mon Lodge of Free Masols, Of which HI
was member. attended the funeral IL
a body.