The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1885-12-18

A
exact ascertainmeut, the military academy at
West Point Is reported as being ia a high state
OF eincieucy, and we'll equipped for the salts
factory accomplishment of the purposes OF its
maintenance. The fact that the class which
graduates next year Is an unusually large one
has constrained me to decline to make appoint,
ments to second lieutenanoies in the army from
civil lie, so that such vacancies as exist in these
res may be reserved for such graduates. and
TIT g not possible that there will be enouoh
n ,oca ,cies To pro, 20 positions for them all when
tSey Leave Che military scnS.ii p2der the pre-
vsiling law and usage those not thus assignee 20
5urV never actively enter the military service.
It Is suggested that the law on this subject be
clrauged. that such of these young men as are
not az or;cS assigned to duty after graduating
nav be retained as second lieutenants in the
army IL they no desire 1t, subject to assignment
when Ogpoftuuisv occurs, under proper rules as
to priority on selection. The expenditures on
account Of the EnilitaSy academy for last fiscal
wear. exclusive on the sum taken for that pur-
pose from appropriations for the support of the
army, were S29O,T12.07. The act approved
March 3, 1885, designed TO compensate officers
and enlisted men for
LOSS or PRIVATE PRoPERrY
while I'm thJ service Of the United States Is so
indefinite in its terms and apparently admits so
many claims, the adjustment OF (Which could not
have been contemplated. that * 1t is to remain
on the statute book 1t needs amendment: There
should be . general law OF congress prohibiting
the construction of bridges over navlgable wa
tiers In such manner as to obstruc& navigation,
with provisions for preventing the same. IL
seems that under existing statutes the govern
ment cannot intervene co prevent, suck a con-
struction, when entered upon without its con-
sent though when such consent is asked and
granted, upon condition, its authority to insist
upon such condition is clear. Thus IL Is repre-
sented that while TIE officers OF the govern
ment are with great care guardsng against the
obstruction OF navigation by a bridge across the
Mississippi river at st. Paul, a large pier for a
bridge has been built at thai place:
such things are to be permitted a strong argu-
ment Is presented against the appropriation Of
large snms of money to improve thesnavigation
OF this and other important highways OF COM
merce.
THE NAVY.
The report OF the secretary OF the navy gives a
history of the operations of his department and
the present condition of the work committed to
his charge. He details in full the course pur-
sued by him to protect the r.<its of the govern
ment IN respect to certain vessels unfinished at
the time OF his accession to office, and also con-
corning the dispatch boat Dolphin, claimed TO
lie completed and awaiting the acceptance OF the
department No one can fail 10 see from recitals
contained TN this report that only the applica-
tion of business principles has been insisted On
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 con-
strued. In the case of the Dolphin, with entire
justice to the contractor, an agTeeIn mt has been
entered into providing tor the ascertainment, by
a judicial inquiry. OF the complete or partial
compliance with the contract in her construc-
ton; and further, providing for the assessment
of any damages to which the government may
be entitled on account of n partial failure TO per-
form such contract, or the payment of the sum
still remaining unpaid upon her price in case a
full performance is adjuuged. The contractor, by
reason 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 act IN the contract per-
hitting such course. and are now in process of
completion In the yard OF the contractor. but
under the supervision OF the navy department.
THE NEW CRUISERS.
Congress at its last session authorized the
construction of two additional new cruisers and
two gunboats. at a cost not exceeding in the
aggregate 81. 995. O The appropriation for
this purpose having become avail able on the
first day OF July last, steps were at once taken
for the procurement Of such plans for the con-
struction Of these vessels as would be likely to
insure their usefulness when completed. These
are or 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 selec-
tfon. We must admit the Importance or an
effective navy to a nation like ours, having such
an extended sea coast TO protect. and vet we
have not q single vessel OF war that could keep
the seas against a first-cfass vessel OF any i'm
portant power. Such q condition ought not long
TO continue; the nation that cannot resist
aggression Is constantly exposed to It; its for
eign policy is of necessity weak, and its negotia-
tions are conducted with disadvantage, because
it is not in condition to enforce the terms
dictated by its 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 our
standing among the nations OF the earth, and
rejoiced az every step that leads In the direction
Of such a consummations / deem 1t INV 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 pres
ent organization of thisdepartment is exhibited,
and the startling abuses and wastes OF its pres
ent methods are exposed. The conviction Is
forced upon us with the certainty Of mathe-
NAUTICAL demonstration hat before we proceed
further In the restoration OF a navy we need a
thoroughly reorganized navy department.. The
fact that within seventeen years more than
$75,000,0 600 has been spent on construction,
repairs and equipment and armament OF vessels,
and the further fact that instead OF an effective
and creditable feet, we have only the discomfort
and apprehension OF a nation undefended by
war vessels. added to the disclosure now made,
do not permit us to doubt that every attempt to
revive our navy has thus far. for the most part,
been misdirected, and all our efforts in that
direction have been little better than blind
groupings and aimless folliea. Unquestionably,
If we are content with the maintenance OF q
navy department simply as
A SHABBY ORNAMENT
to the government. a constant watcnrulness
NAV prevent some OF the scandal and abuse
which have found their way into our present or
ganization, and its incurable waste may be re-
duced to the minimum, but II we desire TO Duliu
ships for present usefulness instead OF naval re-
minders OF the days that are past, we must nave
a department ORGANIZED for the work. supplied
with oil the talent and ingenuity our country
affords, prepared to take advantage of the expe-
renee Of other nations, systematized so that all
effort shall unite and lead in one direction. and
fully imbued with the conviction that war YES
sells though new are useless unless they combine
ali that the ingenuity of man has up to this day
brought forth relating to their construction. l
earnestly recommend the portion OF the secre-
tary's report devoted TO this sahiect. 70 the
action Of congress-. In the hope that his sugges-
tions touching the reorganization OF his depart
ment may be adopted, as the first step toward
the construction OF our navy.