The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1885-11-27
ers In q manner a. to ob.truct NAVIGATION.

tiers in suoh manner a. to obstruct navigation.
with provisions for preventing the same. 1t
seems that under existing statutes the govern
ment cannot intervene to prevent, such a con-
struction, when entered upon without its con-
sent though when such consent IL asked and
granted. upon condition, it's authority to insist
upon such condition Is clear. Thus It IL repre-
sented that while the officers OF the govern
nlent are with great care guarding against the
obstruction OF navigation by q bridge across the
Mississippi river at st. Paul, a large pier for a
bridge has been built at that place.
directly In the navigable channel Of the river. II
such things are to DO permitted a strong argu-
large sums of money tn improve the navigation
of tins and other important highways Of com
mercc.
THE NAVY.
TIL report of the secretary of the navy gives q
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 hint to protect the rights of the govern
ment III respect to certain vessels unfinished ut
the time of his accession to office, and also con-
corning the dispatch boat Dolphin, claimed to
he completed and awaiting the acceptance of the
department. No one can fail to see from recitals
contained in this report that only the applica-
ton of business principles has been insisted Oh
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 We're legally con-
strued. In the case of the Dolphin, with entire
justice tn the contractor, an agreement has been
entered into providing for the ascertaiumcnt. by
a Judicial inquiry. of the complete ar 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 a partial failure to per-
form such contract, or the payment of the sum
still remaining unpaid upon her price IN case q
full performance Ia adjudged. 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 III 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 guuboats, NJ a cost not exceeding in the
aggregate 81 ,995. 900. The approximation for
this purpose having become available 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 AZ would be likely To
insure their usefulness when completed. These
are of the utmost importance, considering the
constant advance in the art Of building vessels
Of this character, and the time Is not lost which
il spent in their careful consideration and sclcc-
ton. We must admit the Importance OF an
effective navy Ia a nation like ours, having such
an extended sea coast To protect. and yet We
have not a single vessel of war that could keep
the seas against a trst-class vessel OF any I'M
portant power. Such a condition ought not long
to continue; the nation that cannot resist
aggression IL constantly exposed to 1t; It's for
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 l am by the hope shared by all
patriotic citizens that the day is not far distant
when our navy will be such rs befits our
standing among the nations of the earth. and
rejoiced at every step that leads In the direction
of such n contamination, l deem IL my duty 10
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 this department is exhibited,
and the startling abuses and wastes OF It's pres
ent methods are exposed. The conviction is
fnFaAIn r.An N1 xNifh tho narfaInyr n nlnfhn-
NAUTICAL demonstration that before we proceed
further in the restoration OF \ navy we need a
thoroughly reorganized navy department. The
fact that within seventeen years more than
$4,000, 900 has been spent on construction,
repairs and equipment and armament of vessels,
and the further fact that, instead OF an effective
and creditable fleet, we have only the discomfort
and apprehension Of a nation undefcnded 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 follies. Unquestionably,
il we are content with the maintenance OF q
navy department simply AZ
A SHABBY ORNAMENT
TO the government, a constant watchfulness
NAV prevent some of the scandal and abuse
which have found their way into our present or
ganfZation, and its incurable waste may be re-
duced to the minimum, but If We desire to build
ships for present usefulness instead of naval re-
minders OF the days that are past, we must have
a department organized for the work, supplied
with all the talent and ingenuity our country
affords, prepared to take advantage OF the expe-
rience of other nations, systematized so that all
effort shall unite and lead in one direction. and
fully imbucd with the conviction that war ves-
sells though new are useless unless they combine
all that the ingenuity Of man has up To this day
brought forth relating to their construction. l
earnestly recommend the portion OF the secre-
tar,'s report DEVOTED to this subject, to the
action OF congress-, in the hope that his sugges-
tions touching the reorganization of his depart
ment may be adoDted, as the first step toward
the CONSTRUCTION of our nlVy