National Republican., 1883-12-18
THE NEEDS OF THE NAVY.
Seven New Vessels and Four New COaling
Stations Asked For.
The Death OF MIR. Haskell Formally An
nounced In the Two Houses.
THE SENATE,

In the senate yesterday morning, afler prayer
and the reading Of the journal, Mr.. Sherman Of
fered n resolution, to lie over until tomorrow,
that the senate proceed to the election ofits OFF,
Gers. Among the bills introduced were three by
Mr.. Hale Of Maine, regarding the navy; one to
promote its efficiency one TO authorize the con-
struotion of additional steel vessels, and one for
the establishment of additional coaling stations.
The last named bill authorizes tho President to
establish two naval or coaling stations at or near
the lsthmus Of Panama-one on the Atlantic side
and one on the Pacific side-Rnd TO make prelim-
inary arrangements for the establishment OF sim
liar stations in such other parts of the world as
he may aeem euVlseDe no expense OF ~, mtn,viIiy lny
gress shall authorize 1t.
The bill relating TO steel ships provides for the
construction of seven steel vessels, one steel ram,
one cruising torpedo boat, and two herbor torpedo
boats, all OF which are recommended by the sec
@ II I9e pSyy " @ be osny Of M navy
Tovides that the President shall appoint board
" nine officers of high rank 20 thoroughly
scrutinzc the active list ofthe navy and to select
not more than $40 officers Of the line, 40 of the
medical corps, 96 OF the pay corps, 22O Of the Gu;
gineer corps for retention on the active list Al
list, not TO be entitled TO promotion. and TO have
leave of absence pay, but subject TO be ordered to
service In time ofwar, and then TO have full pay.
The bill abolishes the bureau of construction aud
repair, and establishes instead a bureau OF naval
In presenting the bills, Mr.. Hale said II did not
seem To him that there are many subjects likely
10 come before congress at this session of more i'm
mediate importance than the question of the con
diuon Of the navy. The bills relate he said TO the
organization OF the navy, its personnel, the sub
ject OF promotions, and also as TO what may be
called the larger side of the subject--the building
OF new ships. Tho last congress took an important
step in the matter, but the rapid disappearance Of
our old wooden ships tells us too plainly that the
more important work of further increasing our
navy In its force OF ships ought to DO attended to
at once. He hoped the matter would be consd-
cred, not with reference TO the past, but to the
future; not with reference to politics. but with
reference 70 what is great and increasing need OF
the republic.
A message was received from the house of rep
resentatives announcing the death of Mr.. Dudley
q. Haskell, one of its members from Kansas.
Mr.. Ingalls,, In moving the customary committee
to attend the funeral obseques of the deceased,
said that while in Massachusetts yesterday he
IAIr. lngallsl was advised by telegraph of the un-
timely, though not wholly unexpected death Of
Mr. Haskell, and had hHstened to Washing
ton where he had Just arrived and learned that
the sad procession bearing the remains OF Mr..
Haskell TO his home had already departed. In
his death, Mr.. ingalls, said, the house of repre-
sentatives had lost q most efficient member, the
state of Kansas a distinguished citizen, and the
nation an honorable public servant. Mr.. ingalls,
himself suffered. he said bereavement that was
irreparable
Tic chair appointed Messrs. Plumb, OF Kansas
Cockrell, of Missouri and Dawes, OF Massachu-
sets, committee to attend the funeral obsequies
and ON motion Of Mr. Ingalls, out OF respect TO the
memory of the deceased repr sentative, the SEN
ate then adjourned