Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1885-12-12

the army, from civil life, 30 that such
vacancies as exist in these places may b
reserved for such graduates; and yet it il
not probable that there will be enough
vacancies to provide positions for them
all when they leave the military school
i Under the prevailing law aud usage
those not thus assigned to duty never
actively enter the military service, and
it is suggested that the law on this sub
ject be changed 30 that such of these
young men as are not at once consigned
to duty after graduation may be retained
IS second lieutenants in the army if they
desire it, subject to assignment when op.
portunity occurs under proper rules Is to
priority Of selection.
! The expenditures.o on account of the
Military academy for the last fiscal year
zclusive ofthe sum taken for its purpo-
rs for appropriations for the support Of
the army is $2,90O,O00.
The act approved March 8, 1885, de-
signed to compensate officers and en-.
listed men for the loss of private proper
! ty while in the service of the United
States, is so indefinite in its terms, and
apparently admits of 50 many claims,
the Adjustment of which could not have
| been contemplated, that if it is to re-
| main In the statute book it needs amend
ment.
There should be ageneral law of con-
gress prohibiting the construction OF
bridges over navigable waters in such q
manner as to obstruct navigation with
provisions for preventing the same. It
seems under the existing statutes that
| the government can not intervene to
prevent such a construction when en-
tered upon without its consent, though
when such consent is asked and granted
upon condition, the authority to insist
upon such condition, is clear.
Thus it is represented that while the
officers of the government are with great
care guarding against the obstruction of
navigation by bridge acros the Missis-
sippi river at st. Paul, a large pier
for bridge has been built just below the
place, directly in the navigable channel
of the river. If such things are to be
permitted, an argument is presented
against the appropriation of large sums
of money to improve the navigation of
this and other important highways of
commerce.
The report of the secretary of the
navy gives history of the operations of
hisdepartment, and the present condi-
ktion of the work submitted to his charge.
| He details in full the course pursued by
him to protect the rights Of the govern
ment in respec of certain vessels unfn-
ished at the time of his accession to
Office, and also concerning the dispatch
| boat, Dolphin, claimed to be imperfect
and awaiting the acceptance Of the de-
| partment.
No one can fail to gee from the recitals
contained in these reports that only the
| application of business principles has
been insisted upon in the treatment of
these subjects, and that whatever con-
troversy has arisen was caused
| by the exaction, on the part of
the department, of contract obligations
as they were legally constructed in the
case of the Dolphin with entire justice
| to the contractors. An agreement has
been entered into providing for the as
certainment by a judicial inquiry of the
complete or partial compliance with the
contract in her construction.
1t further provides for the assessment
of any damages to which the government
may be entitled on account of partial
failure to perform such contract, or pay
ment of sum still remaining unpaid up
on her price. In case of failure of per-
Torrance is adjudged, the contractor
by reason of his failure in business, being
unable to complete the other three ves-
sels, they were taken possession of by
the government in their unfinished state
under clause in the contract permitting
such course, and are now in process OF
completion in the yard of the contractor,
and under the supervision of the navy
department.
Congress at its last session authorized
the construction of two additional new
cruisers and two gunboats at cost not to
exceed in the aggregate $2,995,OOO. The
appropriations for this purpose having be
come available July LIST, steps were at
once taken for the procurement of such
plans for the construction of these vessels
as would be likely to insure their use
fulness when completed. They are of
the utmost Importance; considering the
constant advance in the art of building
vessels of this character, the time is not
lost which was spent in their careful con-
sideration and selection.
Inspired as am by the hope shared
by all patriotic citizens that the day is
not far distant when our navy will be
such as will be tit for our standing
among the nations of the earth and
rejoiced at every step that leads in the
direction of such aconsummation, deem
it my duty to especially direct the atten-
ton of congress to tie close of the report
of the secretary of the navy by which
the humiliating weakness of the present
organization of this department is exhib-
tied. The startling abuses and waste Of
its present methods are expressed, and
the conviction is forced upon us with a
certainty of mathematical demonstra-
tions that before proceeding further in
the restoration of our navy we need to
thoroughly reorganize the navy depart
ment.
Unquestionably, if we are content with
simply as shabby ornament 70 the gov
eminent, constant watchfulness may
prevent some of the scandal and abuses
which have found their way into the
present organization, and its incurable
waste may be reduced to the minimum.
But if we desire to build ships for present
usefulness instead of naval reminders of
the days that are past, we must have a
department organized from the works
supplied with all the talent and ingenui-
ty our country affords. and prepared to
take advantage of the experience of
older nations.
The fact that within seventeen years
more than $50,OOO,OO0 have been spent
in the construction, repair, equipment
and armament of vessels, and the fu- ther
fact that instead of an effective and cred
liable feet, we have only the discomfort
and apprehension of nation without
adequate protection, do not permit US
to doubt that every attempt to revive