Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1885-12-11

OF West Point is reported as being In high state
OF efficiency, and well equipped for the satisfae-
tory accomplishment OF the purposes OF its main
tenence. The fact that the class which graduates
next year is an unusually large one, has con
strained me to decline to make appointments 10
I'd lieutentancies in the army from civil life, so
that where such vacancies exist in these places
may lac reserved for such graduates, and yeti IS
not probable that there Will be enough
vacancies to provide positions for them
all when they leave the military school
under the prevailing laws, and usage. Those not
thus assigned to duty never actively enter the
military service. IL Is suggested that the law q
this sub jeCt be changed that such or these young
men a not at assigned 70 duty aiier
graduating may be retained as s"coRd ltuten-
ants in the army, II they desire il, subject u as
sgnments vixen an opportunity occurs under
the rules as To priority Of selection. The eXpen .
ditlires on account Of the military academy OF
the last fiscal year, exclusively Of the sum taken
for purposes Of apprnpr alton 10 the support or
he army were $3.50, Il2 ".
Tho act approved March 3, 1885 Sesigned to
compensate officers and enlisted men for the loss
of private properly while in the service Of the
United States - Indefinite in ats terms, and APP
parenty admits OF so many claims, the ad justment
Of which could rot have been contemplated, that
II it is to remain ON the statute book, 1t needs
amendment.
There should be genera! Law OF congress pro
hibttng the construction OF
BuDGEs OVER NAvIGABLE
waters In such manner ne to obstruct navigation,
with provisions for preventing the same. II
seems that under the existing statute the gov
eminent C0nnDt intervene to prevent such con
strIction when entered upon without its consent,
though when such consent is askei and granted
upon The condition that the authority to insist
upon such II condition IS clear.
Thus il is represented that while the officers Of
the government are with great care guarding
against the distractions Of navigation by bridge
tho Mississippi river at st. Paul, large
pie, ipr n bridge has been built just below this
place, directly in the navigable channel of the
river IT such things are to be permitted, strong
argument X presented against the appropriation
Of large sums Of moucy 10 improve the naviSa-
ton Of this aud other important highways Of
commerce.
TUE NAyY.
The report Of the secretary Of the navy gives
"a history Of the operations OF his department and
the present work committed to his charge. lie
details In full the course pursued by him to pro.
teCt the rights of the government. In respect or
certain vessels unfinished at the time OF bis acces.
zion 10 office and also concerning the dispatch
boat Dolphin, claimed 10 he completed and
awaiting tho acceptance OF tho department
No can iail 10 see from the Tecitals contained
in This report, that only the application of bust
ness principles has been insisted upon In the treat
iuent 81 these sub ircts, and thar whatever cnntrO
vGrEy has arisen caused by the eXaction on
the part Of the department of contract obliSa-
lions ~ they were legally construed. In the case
of the Dolphin, with entire justice TO the con
tractor. agreement has been entered into pro
vIdms for the ascectainment by judicial inquiry
81 The complete partial cOmBli-
nnre with the contract in her construction
aud further providing for the assessment OF any
damages to which the government may be enti-
ll9l on account OF "a partial failure 10 perform
sr~h contract or the payment OF the sum stu
remaining unpaid upon her price in case of n fun
performance as adjudgcd. The contractor, by
reason Of his failure IN buslAesS, being unable to
complete the other vessels, they were taken pos
session Of 10y the government In their unfinished
state, under II ClnIso In the contract permitting
such n course, and are now IN process OF compile
ton ~ the yard of the contractor, but under the
supervision Of the navy department..
Congress MT It's last session authorized the con
Rtrnctluh ct two additional new cruisers and Two
gun Luuts, at u cost not exceeding In the eERre
cato S2,T1,Uuo. Tho appropriation for this pur
pus,. huyiu, bccome available on the first dry of
July last, steps were at once taken for the pro
"tr"ncnt Of such plans for the construction of
these vessels would be likely Ia insure their use
iutn"ss when complete. These are Of the utmost
Importance IA considering the constant ndvanse
IN the art Of building vessels OF this charact,r aud
the time IL not lost which is spent in their careful
consideration and detection
All must admit the importance Of affective
navy To- nation like ours We have such an cX-
tended srRCuast to protect and yet We have not
AhtEgo vessel .: war that could keep the seas
against n FIRST class vessel OF any important
power. Such condition ought not longer To
continue. The nation that cannon Ircsist aEgrrs-
stnu IL constantly exposed To IT.. Its foreign
pulley IS of necessity weak. and its negotiations
4ro conducted with Disadvantages, because IL is
mot IN condition 10 enforce the terms dictated 10y
It's SENSE uI rights and Justice.
inspired as am by the hope shared by all
patriotic citizens that the day H. not far distant
when our navy VIII bn such as BELTS our standing
among the nations OF the earth, and reJ0ced at
Every step that lads In tho direction OF such
cunsunnlaton, deem 1t my duty TO especially
direct the attention ~ congress To the clause of
tho report OF the secretary OF the navy, In which
Illuminating weakness OF the present organization
OF this department Is exhibited, aud the startling
abuses ami wastes Of its present methods are eN-
posed. Tho conviction Is forced upon.us with the
certainty Ot mathematical demonstration, that
before We proceed further In the
restoration Of navy, we need IA
thoroughly recognized navy department.
The fact that within Il years more than S15 600
have been spent in the construction, repair and
equipments and armament OF vessels and the
farther fact That instead Of effective and cred
table fleet We have only the discomfort and ap,
prrhousun Of u nation GutCfCudcd 10y vessels,
mt us to doubt that every attempt To re-
vivc Our navy has thus far, for the most part,
hon m,drvrtCl aud all efforts in that
direction have been littlc better than
blind groupings and expensive amess follies.
trnaucc Uf n navy department simply a shabby
ornament 10 the government, " constant watch
tulRrsS may prevent SOME Of the scandal and
abuse which have found their way into our pres
cnt organization, and its iucurabe waste NAV
I've reduced TO the minimum. But II we dt'Sr" To
hud ships for present usefulness instead OF naval
reminders of the days that are past, we muSt
have department organized for the work, sup,
piled with all that the talent and ingenuity
of our country affords. prepared To take
advantage ot the experience of other nations,
syStrmit2rd that one effort shall unite and lead
In one direction, and fully embued with the con,
Neton that war vessels. though now ARE useless,
they combine that ingenuity of which man has up
t. this day brought forth re'ating 10 their con
Structiou. earnestly recommend that portion Of
the secretary report devoted To this subject TO
the action of congress in the hope that his suG-
ErSit"us touching the reorganiZ ,ton of his de-
partment may be adopted Ms the first step toward
'he construction of our navy.