Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-01-05
THE NAVY OF THE FUTURE.

LIE NAV L Or LIE OIOhLs
A communication from the secretary of
the navy was, to-day, laid before the SEN
ate, regarding recommendation for the
construction of steel cruiser of about
1000 tons displacement, estimated to cost
S1,576.854; three steel cruisers of about
$500 tons displacement, estimated to cost
81, 1,O31, ,225, one iron dispatch boat or fast
clipper of about 1,500 tons displacement,
estimated to cost, $46O,0OO, and
one cruising torpedo boat
to cost S3S,000. The naval department
and advisory board agreed that the largest
vessel should not be built, so large and ex-
pensive vessel not being now required, and
the secretary adds that if finished it would
not now be adapted to the present condi-
tions of the navy. The secretary says:
SIN beginning new modern steel navy by
commencing only two vessels, it does not
seem wise to start with two
vessels to cost $2,7OO,O00 and an
other S1,6OO,OO0. The construction
should begin neither with the largest nor
smallest, but with medium sized hips. The
secretary of the navy in another letter in
formed the senate that the last appropria-
tion for general maintenance of yards and
docks was $220,00O, and of this sum S24,-
704.51 remained unexpended on Jan. 1,
1888. The amount required to keep the
yard open until March 81, prox, would be
$38,910. The secretary suggests that con-
gress make specific provision for closing
any of the navy yards, if it proposes to
curtail expenses.
LINCOLN ON THE OLD RIVER AND HARBoR BILL
of 10 do +nH
to the speaker of the house report in re-
sponse to resolution calling for informa-
ton as to whether, in the river and harbor
bill of the last session, works were appro.
priated for which were not beneficial to
commerce, and whether any appropriation
had been withheld by any department.
The secretary says that in many instances,
results of substantial benefits to general
commerce were so obscure and apparent
ly insignificant as to vindlcate the doubt
on the part of the house of representatives.
In response to the other inquiry the secre-
tary says: Appropriations have been with
held from new works in some cases where
temporary suspension of the commence
ment of the work would not substantially
delay its completion. The secretary also
traQSIQlIS oSIludbeS lIOu tno 6uSluc0TiuS
department for the improvement of rivers
and harbors for the next fiscal year, which
have not previously been transmitted to
congress. The aggregate estimates
amount to $33,8S9,000. The rivers and
harbors particularized as not, in the
opinion of the secretary, such as would be
benefited by an expenditure of the
sum appropriated are as follows: Vermil-
ion harbor, Ohio, $4,000; Port Clinton
harbor, Ohio, $4,000; Michigan City, Ind,
inner harbor, $4,000; outer harbor, $780,
.OOO; harbor of4srefuge, Grand Marais,
Mich, $4,000; Monroe harbor, Mich,
$1,000; Port Washington, Wis, $4,000;
Two Rivers harbor, Mich, $4,000; New
Buffalo harbor, Mich, $4,000; Cedar
River, Mich, $4,000; Oconto harbor,
Wis, $4,000; Elk River, W. Va,
$4,000; Fourche Lafave river, Arkan-
sas, $4,000; Caney Fork, Tenn, $4,000;
Obeys river, Tenn, $4,000; Neches river.
Texas, $4,000; Trinity river, Texas, $4,000;
River bank, k,IssFort Brown, Texas, $1,000:
Guandotte river, ". Va, $4,000; Gasconade
river, Mo-, $4,000; Cinore river, Mo-,
$4,000; Clinch river, Tenn, $4,000; Duck
river, Tenn, $4,000; Hiawasse river, Tenn,
| $1,000; Tradewater river, KY, $4,000;
| South fork of the Deer river, Tenn, $4,000;
Pensaukee harbor, Wis, $4,000; Chippe-
wa river, Wis, $4,000; Sandusky harbor