River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1885-12-10
THE NAVY.
Condition Of Our MARINE and RecOm-
ImeahnIioms for I'm pro Y enlemG.

Tire report of the secretary OF the navy
gives history Of the operations of his de-
parjmeat and the present condition Of the
work committed 10 his charge. He details
iu full the course pursued by him to protect
the RIGHTS of the government in respect 10
certain vessels l. niui-bed at the time Of his
accession d office, and also concerning the
dispatch boat Dolphin, claimed to be com
plgte and avail ing tine acceptance of the de-
purtnent. No one can fail 10 see from the
reeitals contained in Llis report that only the
APPLICATION or BUSINESS PRINCIPLES
has been insisted upon I'm the treatment of
the subjects, aud that whatever controversy
has arisen was caused by the oNaet,on ON the
part of The department of contract oOltsd-
IRONS as they were legally construed. Tn the
case Of the Dolphin, with entire justice to the
contractor, an agreement has been entered
into providing for the asSociatements by a
judicial inquiry Cf the complete or partial
compliance with the contract in her con-
structiOu. and further providing Ter the as
se-SWeut OF any damages To which the govern
mcut may be entitled on account OF a partial
failure 10 perform such contract. or tie pay
ment OF Tine sum stIil remaining unpaid
upon her price in case fun performance j.
adiudred. The contractor. by reason of his
failure in business, being unable 10 complete
the other three vessels. they We're taken pos
session of by the government IN their uuttn-
i-God state under an act in the contract per
mitfipg such course. ana are now in process
conn al titt 't+'i VS. AiN Ntlt+
lHlr under the supervision Of tine navy de-
usrtrnPnt Congress at its last session
authorized the construction OF
TWO ADDITIONAL CRUISERS
ana two gun boats. at a cost not exceeding in
the aggregate g.. 100000. IHe appropriation
lor this purpose having become available on
the Isl Jty If July last. steps were AT once
taEeu for the procurement OF such plans Tor
tIe construction of these vessels as would De
likely To insure their usefulness when COM
uIe1ed. These are of the utmost Importance.
considering the constant advance ln the art
~ tui#dilE vessels OF this character. ana the
time is not lost which j. spent IN tuejr care
tui construction ANA selection. All must adj
Unit the Importance Of an elective navy TO q
nation like 0Ers. having such au extended sea
coast to protect, ami yet We have not a single
vessel of war shat could keep the seas against
4. fr~f-rla>s vessel of any important power.
~ucu condition ought not longer to CON
uuue. Tie nation that
CANNOT RESIST AGGRESSION
is constantly exposed To it. Its foreign policy
lsul ueccssItv weak ana its NEGOTIATIONS are
conducted with disadvantage becalxs II rs
rut H. i condition ta enforce the i<rfns die
,,te7i hy ats sense of right and itstlec an
81 tr.J lis ulu by the hope, shared by all
rtyr5attc citizens. that the day is not far dis
ta.t IA an our navy vii. i've such as BELTS our
standing AMONG the nat .uuS OF the earth, ana
re.u..ei 40 every step that leads in tine
Uilaessll nj such C.uSnmmatOu. deem III
I1y du#y to especially direct the attention "t
congress 70 the close OF ,1e report 0f tile sec-
reJatE IL tae navy, IN which
ruE aUN4-I&EINa WEAKNESS
vi ... uy. SEM examination of tlis depart
meat i exhibited. ans the startling ABUSES
aut Wae.u ~ ATS present metbuGs are cA-
l.,4~.u 8ho conviction b. forced upon rs WIZ
tine certainty ut mathematical demonstration
tuaJ before We proceed further Ia iae ses."T''-