Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-08-06
The Dolphin Issue.

The contest between Secretary Whitney
and Mr.. Roach has been shifted to the two
rival boards of naval experts. one OF which
approved and the other condemned the Dol
| phin. Mr.. Whitney's examining board,
which processes to find the disputed boat con-
structed By Mr.. Roach altogether unsaiis-
factory, has had its findings and report re-
viewed and criticised by the Naval Advisory
Board, under whose direction the vessel was
constructed. The Whitney board replies to
this in eurn, and both reports are given to
the public
Naval experts and ship-builders will, doubt
less, find these reports interesting and edify
ing reading The unskilled layman, who,
undsmayed by their technical character, tries
to arrive at the truth of the matter by care
full perusal of the conflicting opinions will
probably finish them with about the same
views as he began. He may doubt whether
the Dolphin is everything it ought to be; but
whether it is or not, one thing is clear, viz. !:
tina. she is as the Advisory Board designed
her. The board is composed of men Of repu-
tation and experience. Its president is Rear
admiral E. Simpson, U. S. N. Its members
were selected on account OF their special
knowledge. and under their direction, super
vision and control Mr.. Roach built the Dol
phin. They sanctioned every detail of her
construction which they did not themselves
order. and, in the face of M. Whitney and
his boards condemnation, they approve and
defend the Dolphin now that she is finished
and ready to be delivered.
In the face of this public acknowledgment
of responsibility by the Advisory Board. how
can the Government with any justice or de-
cency repudiate its contract with Roach and
the work of its own agents? The issue Is just
now between the two government boards.but
it is evidently going much further. Secretary
Whitney may not build many ships while at
the head of the Navy Department, but it will
not be fer lack Of industrious effort it he
fails to make political capital for himself
and his party. This is undoubtedly the key
to all his activity. and Mr.. Roach is its vic
tim. As a prominent Republican and Pro-
tectionst he was fair game for Democratic
administration. By threatening him with a
suit for $1,000 600 and stopping all further
payments on his contracts, Attorney general
Garland destroyed his credit at time when
its loss was fatal, and the greatest of Ameri-
can ship-bulders has been forced INTO bank
ruptcy by Government which refuses to be
bound by the contracts Of its authorized
agents
The Dolphin question and the bad faith,
injustice and bad law with which the admins
tration supports its side of the controversy
are not mere temporary issue. Mr.. Whit
ney's attack is leveled at the past republican
policy, and as such it will be accepted and
met. To challenge everything approved by
republicans and reverse their policy on every
point simply because it is theirs is not states
manship TO any great extent, but Mr.. Whit
ney may consider it sound party policy, even
though it involves breaking regular and law
full contracts, and closing up one of the lar
gest manufacturing concerns in the country
because its owner had the temerity to bid for
government work and the misfortune to have
his bid accepted. Philadelphia Press.