The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-11-29
THE DAY OF FREE SHIPS.

| schemes for private gain. Our gov
ernments, federal and state, in this
day seem to be considered the legiti-
mate prey of designing men. The evil
has spread throughout the states, and
at the federal capital and at the capt.
tails of states, rings are formed to ply
departments and congress and gov
ernors and legislatures. A powerful
lobby at Washington has controlled
the tariff legislation; lobby, through
a long series of years, has secured
enormous subsidies for various pri-
vate enterprises; lobbies have had
money expended by the millions, as
alleged, on rivers and harbors, while
in reality it has passed into the pock-
cts of individuals, without any
public benefit. They have shaped
legislation and appropriations, and
they will continue to control the acts
of congress until both houses thereof
and the heads of the departments
combine to drive them from the capt.
tai. If congress were let alone
by these organizations, author
lied to use any amount
of money to secure measures, out of
which returns and profits may be Sc
cured, there would be an end to these
jobs that have disgraced the govern
ment, and placed it in the light of a
corrupt and debased organization for
furthering, Sfirst as well as last, the
schemes of individuals instead of the
public. 1t is said Hobbies are already
formed to attempt to push the Forty
eighth congress with excuses of i'm
proper legislation, similar to that
which has characterized the existence
of the federal government for the last
twenty years. Not least among the
schemes mapped out for congressional
consideration is one in favor of build
ing the navy. This, however is by no
means a new purpose. Navy jobs
under Secor Robson, are fresh in the
memory of men, and they have not
ceased, even since his official manipu-
ton, to be prominent feature of sue
cessful lobby work before congress,
Last year, under the successful man
ipulation of Secretary Chandler, an
official who promises, if given full
swing, to eclipse the deeds of Robe
son, made contract with Mr.. John
Roach, of Philadelphia, for four new
cruisers, to begin to add dignity to
the American navy. Mr.. Roach has
been engaged for a good many
years in attempting to put his
hands into the public crib.
He made an effort to get heavy sub
sidy from the government for the es-
Enlistment of steamship line be-
tween tie United States and Brazil ,aGa
failing in this he has continued his eff
forts to effect an entrance and now, with
his hands in, he hopes to run them up
to his elbows in loading up from the
federal treasury. AS stated he made
a good start at the last session, having
secured appropriations for the new
cruisers, the contracts for which fell
to himself as a matter of course; and
now the public is informed that the
naval advisory board, of which
Roach's creature, Comodore Schufeldt'
is chairman, recommends the imme-
date and complete reconstruction of
the entire fleet, as the only means of
preserving the honor and glory of the
American union, which, it is thought,
can all be effected at farther 1mme-
date expenditure of about eleven
millions of dollars, John Roach of
course to have the job. Schufeldt, no
longer ago than February, 1876. testi-
fed before the naval committee of the
house, to the effect that the American
navy had, in the five years
then just passed, been raised
from fifth rate to a second
rate naval power. and was compe-
tent to compete with Great Britain,
Since 1876 largely over hundred
millions of dollars have been expended
on the navy, enough to make, the most
powerful in the world. Instead, it is
one of the most insignificant, and last
year, to give these jobs more color of
reason, almost the entire navy was
condemned and sold to junk dealers,
the vessels being all absolutely IN
seaworthy. Yet, over one hundred
millions had been expended upon
them, as alleged, while in reality it
had descended into the pockets of the
Robson crowd. We have no objec-
ton to the United States having the
requisite number of war vessels to
command respect for the government
and for American citizenship
throughout the world, but we do
hope to see the wisest economies prac-
ticed in securing it. If congress COLI
cludes to increase the navy it may
make appropriations in such way
as to preclude the jobbery of those
who have designs on the treasury
The main object of a navy, however
is to protect the commerce of coun-
try on the high seas. The United
States has no such commerce. A
blight fell upon it years ago, and the
greatest commercial navy of the
world has descended into bare coast.
ing trade, while the import and ex.
port traders, thanks to the follies OF
protection, have passed wholly into
foreign bottoms. Therefore, we want
as yet, no powerful navy. When
American naval commerce is again of
consequence corresponding navy will
be a matter of necessity. Until then
we may get along with few cruisers
to look after the rights of American
citizens. The Republican party
has brought this unenviGble
condition in the country
it has assisted in robbing the people
on the navy account, of not only
enough money to keep the navy up tC
creditable standard, but to have pait
premiums on commerce done in Amer
lean bottoms. If the government
may be wrenched from the hands Of
this corrupt party and placed under
the guidance of an honest and eco
nomical administration, after looking
the public veal. instead of after the
creation of private wealth, then WI
may again have commercial bottom.
by the thousands, and armed cruisers
by the score, to look after them. Tit
Il 4 r Il.