The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1885-01-07
NAVAL APPROPRIATIONS.

Secretary Chambers Reply to RAndau,s
Letter Regarding the Amounts Nscees-
sary to Maintain the Establishment.
WASHINGTON, Jan. A. Secretary Chandler,
in answer to a letter from Mr.. Randall,
Chsirman of the House Committee on Ap-
propriatlons, concerning the amounts nee.
esssry to maintain the naval establishment,
says:
On my part venture to express my regret that
with three bills conveniently awaiting the con-
current sction of the two Houses, il was found
impossible 10 pass any one of them before Janu-
sIy ]. 1855. ana that therefore serious embarras-
ments have arisen in administering the naval es-
iablishment May l not ask the earnest
attention of your committee 10 the importance
OF speedily terminating the anomalous condition
OF sffsirs, which makes IL Necessary to maintain
the naval service without the assistance OF the
usual appropriations therefor. The Senate hsv.
ing dropped all the propositions for appropria-
lions fOr additional cruisers and completing the
monitors for the present, the question in contro-
yeIsy seems 10 be only this: On one side whether
an appropriation TIL for the balance of the fiscal
year shall be framed after consideration IN deteil
OF the estimates, which the law requires 10 be sub
mitted 10 Congress, for special needs OF the ser
vice for the year, and whether q specific
smonnt, TO be applicable 10 each object
Of tte appropriation, shall be distinctly
nsmed ~ the bill; or, on the other
side whether, without sueh consideratin, there
shnn be appropriated in general terms so per
cent. OF the amounts granted in last years bill
for me vITious objects specifically named in that
Dill. surely THIS question Is Lot vital one.
The first methcd is undoubtedly the wisest and
safest conforming to the practice which has
never been and never should be departed from,
except in an emergency. The second is 8 loose,
irregular and dangerous taking from the Treas
uTy Of millions OF dollars with no indications on
the face Of the act Of the specific to which any
dollar is to be sDplied, but that is uncertain
which which may be made certain, and it
Is better TO make appropriations by statute
giving general suthoIity to the depart.
spent last year, than 70 place il in a position
where II is compelled 10 struggle along withOu
any appropriations Appropriation by a vicious
method is better than no appropriation at all
come TO be suspended by reason OF no action By
Congress.
Secretary Chandler gives tsbulated state
ment, showing that the estimated appropri-
stions in the bills sre insufficient, except in
the case OF the amounts proposed for the re-
pairs OF wooden vessels, and concludes as
follows:
The whole question of the amounts needed for
the routine work of construction ana repair and
steam engineering in the NsYy-ysTds depends
upon the National policy concerning repairs OF
old wooden ships. IL is the duty of the Depart
ment to appOrJiCn throughout the whole year
eTal service and thus make work
continuous, while preventing deficiencies, and
this course viii be pursued for the coming half
year. There were last year, and have been this
wear, no deficiencies which could well have been
foreteen or avoided for there were, IN fact, none
Of any noticeable amount, except last yesr for the
repairs OF the hulls Of vessels Such repairs can
rot always be distributed equally throughout all
the months OF the year, because the work can be
most prohtably done during the longer days; and
furthermore when repairs are in progress II is al
ways desirable 70 hasten them 10 conclusion, In
order that The ships may be promptly used.