New-York tribune., 1885-08-17
NEW USE FOR TIE NAVY.
CARRIERS OF SILVER AT A LOSS.
THE EXPRESS COMPANIES CAN CONVEY THE NEW
ORLEANS SILVER AT LESS RATE.
ley TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRiBUSE.


WASHINGTON, Aug. 16.-The first official
admission that ships OF were TO be dispatched 70
Nev.or!eans 10 bring cargoes OF "buzzard dollars 10
Washington was accompanied by a statement that the
decision 20 transport coin naval vessels bad Deeh
adopted as a measure OF economy" and IN order 10
protect the Government from the rapacity OF tho e1
press companies. .,
was asserted in behalf OF the scheme that while inc
express companies demanded S125000 for the carriage
OF FIVE million "buzzard" dollars from New-orleans 10
washington the work could be done by the Navy for
S25, 900 In addition to the ordinary expenses
OF tho vessels detailed for the service.
Apart from any question to the authority OF the
Secretary OF the Navy detail ships 10 engage In the
of money merchandise either for the
Government or private individuals, the scheme seemso
to be good simply because II would save the GOV
ernment 100000.
But now comes the assertion that under contract
still in force the Sec rotary the Treasury is bound 20
use the facilities offered by the express companies ana
they further ascertain that under the contract the e
press charges five millions OF buzzard" dollars
would be- not Sl25 600 but 500 0oo or $4,000 less than
the extra expense to be incurred by the Navy DcpaI-
ment on the same account.
In 1873 when Mr. sherman, tho Secretary OF the
Treasury, making preparations for the resumption
OF specie payments contract was In existence
It was necessary to bring large amount
OF gold coin from san Francisco
panes insisted upon charges which he regarded as eh
orDltant he quietly directed that the coin DO sent DJ
mall which done before either tho express COM
panes or the general public became aware of the trans
nction. In that way Republican Secretary or the
Treasury effected great saving 10 the GOvernIneDt
without calling upon tho Secretary OF tho Navy 10 ehu
war ships for purpose unauthorized by law, and without
causing his act TO he paaded IN AL the Wspapefaas one
o. praiseworthy and hitherto unheardOf economy lie
simply did his duty. The OF his plan depenecd
upon the secrecy with which ~ was carried out MI
Manungs resort to the sanie plan recently seems "
have misearrled because Il became public, Wlsa OF
course made 10 unsafe.
The scheme 20 transport coin In naval -esscs suggests
several other uses TO which theg gay applied With
"ecosomy" For example III foreign mail s-rvice by the
"oanaLbOat route tom Key Wei 20 Havana might
be performed h. naval vcs~-i To the Gulf aud south
Atlantic sTuaIrnns might be iutrustcd tae mall service
bet~5en the United states and Central aud south
Ameuc2, while the Pacific and Asiatio squadrons
together could maintain the service between san iran
cisco and Australia, Japan and China The mails ~Oull
then be carried IN Ancrican-buit ships and the cos
would not exceed tho actual expenses o,
coal, lights. etc, for the ves,eiH detailed
for such duty. The magazines Of other war
vessels might De omptod AMI converted into places Tor
the stOvago Of provisions and merchandise thus max
ing them available for the transportation OF quarter
master aud coinmlssary supplies Tor the Army, annuity
goods and supplies for the Indians etc. in fsot tne
brilliant aud Ingenious scheme hf npon by he Secretary
OF the Treasury and thc Secretary O he Navy II capab
OF almost indefinite expansion and usefulness Ia me me
OF economy"