The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-09

an unusually large has constrained me to
decline to make appointments to second heten-
3. ancies in the army from civil life so that such
vacancies as existin these places may be reserved
FOR such graduates; and yet it is not probable
that there will be enough vacancies to provide
POSITIONS for them all when they leave the mill
tayS school Under the prevailing law and
SasS neSee actively sn nss tss military
service 1t is suggested that the law
on this subject be changed, that such of these
young men as are not at once assigned to duty
after graduation may be retained second
to assignment when opportunity occurs. under
proper rules as to priority of selection. The ex-
penditures account Of the Military Academy
for the last fiscal year. exclusive of the sum
taken for its purposes from appropriations for
the support OF the army were 1920, 1907.
The act approved March 3, 1885, designed to
compensate officers and enlisted men for loss of
private property while in the service of the
United States, Is so indefinite in its terms, and
apparently, admits many claims the adjust
ment of which could not have been contemplat-
ed, that if it is to remain the statute book it
needs amendment.
prohibiting the construction of bridges over nav
igable waters in such manner as to obstruct
navigation, with provisions for preventing the
same. 1t seems that, under existing statutes
the government cannot intervene to prevent such
: construction, when entered upon without its
consent; though, when such consent Is asked
and granted, the authority 60 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 across the Mississippi
q river at st. Paul. a large pier for bridge has
been built just below this place, directly in the
navigabe channel of the river. IL such things
are to be permitted argument is presented
against the appropriation of large sums of
money to improve the navigation Of this and
other important highways of commerce.
THE NAVAL SERVICE.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy gives
y history of the operations of his department
and the present conotion of the work committed
to his charge. He details in full the course pur
sued by him to protect the rights of the govern
ment in respect of certain vessels unfinished at
the time of his accession TO office, and also con-
eerning the dispatch boat Dolphin claimed to be
completed and awaiting the acceptance of the
department. No one fail to see from re-
eitals contained in this report, that only the ap
plcation of business principles has been insisted
upon in the treatment of these subjects, and
that whatever controversy has arisen was
caused by the exaction, on the part
= of the department., of contract obligations
as they were legally construed. Ia the case of
the Dolphin. with entire justice to the con-
tractor. an agreement has been entered into pro-
viding for the ascertainment, by judicial in
quiry, of the complete or partial compliance
with the contract in her construction; and fur
~4her providing for the assessment of any dam
ages to which the government may be entitled
on account of a partial failure to perform such
contract or the payment of the sum still remain
! ing unpaid upon her price, in case full per-
y formance is adjudged. The contractor. by rea
son of his failure in business, being unable to
" complete the other three vessels, they were
taken possession of by the government in their
unfinished state, under clause in the contract
permitting such a course. and now in pro
n in Of ia m
but under the supervision OF the Navy Depart
ment
Congress, at its last session, authorized the
construction of two additional new cruisers and
two gun boats, at a cost not exceeding. in the
aggregate, So, $780, 0O The APPROPRIATION for
this purpose having become available on the first
day of July last steps were at taken for
the procurement of such plans for the construc
ton Of those vessels as would be likely to insure
their usefulness when completed. These of
the utmost Importance. considering the constant
advance in the art of building vessels of this
character, and the time is not lost which is spent
in their careful consideration and selection.
All must admit the Importance of an
effective navy to nation like ours having such
an extended seacoast to protect and yet we have
not single vessel of war that could keep the
seas against q frst-class vessel of any i'm
portant power. Such a condition ought not
longer to continue. The nation that cannot re-
sist aggression is constantly exposed to it; its
foreign policy is of necessity weak, and
its negotiations are conducted with disadvantage
because it is not in q condition to enforce the
terms dictated by its own sense of right and
justice.
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 BELTS stand
ing among the nations of the Garth. and rejoiced
at every step that leads In the direction of such
contamination, deem 1t my duty to especially
direct the attention of Congress to the close of
the report of the Secretary of the Navy, in
which the humiliating weakness Of the present
organization of this department is exhibited,
and the startling abuses and waste of its present
methods exposed The conviction is forced
! upon with the certainty of mathematical
demonstration that before we proceed further
IN the Of navy we need
The fact that within seventeen years more than
$75, 000 900 have been spent in construction, re-
pair, equipment. and armament of vessels, end
the further fact that, instead of an effective and
creditable fleet, we have only the discomfort and
apprehension of a nation undefended by war YES
sells, added to TIE disclosures now made do not
permit US to doubt that every attempt to revive
our navy has thus far, for the most part been
mlsdlrected. and all our efforts in that direction
have been little better than blind groupings and
expensive, aimless foes PROFESSIONALLY if
We are content with the maintenance of a navy
department simply as shabby ornament to the
government constant watchfuneSS may pre-
vent some of the scandal and abuse which have
found their way into our present organization,
and Its lncurable 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 must have de-
PaTtment organized for the work. supplied with
] all the talent and ingenuity our country
affords prepared to take advantage of the expe-
rlence OF other nations. systematized so that all
effort shall unite and lead in one direction, and,
fully imbued with the conviction that war
vessels, though new, are useless unless they COM
bine all that the ingenuity or man has up to this
day brought forth relating to their construction,
earnestly commend the portion of the Secre-
tarys report devoted to this subject to the action
of Congress. in the hope that his suggestions
touching the reorganization of his department
may be adopted as the first step toward the recon
struction of our navy.
The Indian Question. -