National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-02-26
NAVAL RECONSTRUCTION.
senator herhorsons Proposed Amendment TO
the Appropriation bill.


Senator Mcpherson introduced in the senate
yesterday an amendment intended to be pro-
posed to the naval appropriation bill, when
the latter reaches the senate, which provides
for the constitution Of board of naval com
missloncrs to have control, subject TO the Op.
proval of the secretary Of the navy, Of all ques.
Tons relating to the construction Of vessels for
the navy.
THIS BOARD SHALL BE COMPOSED
Of the secretary Of the navy, tho chief con,
slructor chief engineer, chief of the bureau OF
steam engineering, chief of ordnance, ana
chief of the bureau OF equipment Of
the navy, such other officers, not
more than three In number, s the
secretary Of the navy may assign, ana two
clyllians, fully Conversant with the various
branches OF knowledge pertaining TO naval
construction 10 be selected and appointed by
the President; and that the secretary OF the
navy shall be eX Otiicio president OF the board,
with power to delegate his duty as presiding
Oihcor pro tempOrc to any line officer OF the
navy, OF rank not less than commodore.
Inc bill further provides that this board
shall have authority to award contracts for
tho construction and for material for such
vessels, and to mako regulations for the test OF
materials and the trial of the vessels when
constructed, and, "by and with the adyiccand
consent Of tho President, from time to time 10
take such steps and incur such other obliga.
tions ns may be requisite to tho proper and
eheotiye reconstruction OF the navy OF the
United States"
Proposals for tho construction Of all vessels
for the navy are to,be invited by the secretary OF
the navy from nll American shipbuildors aud
builders Of machinery, "whU shall show to
the secretary that within three months from
tho date OF the contract their ship yards Will
be equipped for building and repair Of iron
and stool steamships" and from all con.
structors OF marine engines, machinery, and
boilers
Tho cost OF constructing and arming the ycS.
sells Is not to exceed the amounts estimated by
the naval advisory board, aud all contracts
shall bo with the lowest and best responsible
bidder, after at least sixty days advertisement
also that the secretary of the navy shall utilize
the national navy yards, with the machinery
tools, aud appliances belonging to the govern
mcnt, IN the building of all such vessels or
parts thereof ms fully and TO as great an extent
US the same can be used with advantage to the
government.
AN APPROPRIATION OF sj,OO0,OOO
a year for five years. 10 begin July l., 1885, 10
carry into effect the determinations of said
board with respect to the construction Of new
ships, is provided for, and also that, IN the
reconstruction Of the navy, ono vessel OF each
class recommended by the board to be first
built shall be constructed OF American mate
rial and in the United states, by contract by
the secretary of the navy with the lowest re.
spOnsiblo bidder, and that II this vessel shall
not be a duplicate in all Its essential points Of
some proved vessel in actual use, no more
vessels OF this class aud typo shall be com
menced or CONTRACTED for until II shall have
been completed, thoroughly tested, and ap-
proved. The amendment also provides that
the board shall consider aud determine
whether the five unfinished monitors are
worthy of completion, and whether they
should be completed and armed, and provides
for the appropriation of Si,OOO,O1O for such
work III the event that the conclusion Of the
board be favorable, and be approved BY the
President.