Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-09
SAVANNAH MORNING NEWS: WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER g. 1885,

Jhe river. 1T sucn Things are TO De permitted
strong argument is presented against the
appropriation of large sums of money to i'm
prove navigation of this and other important
highways OF commerce.
NAVAL OFFICERS.
The report of the Secretary of the Navy
gives history OF the operations of his de-
partment, and the present condition of the
work committed to his charge. He details in
full the course pursued by him to protect the
rights of the government in respect of certain
vessels unfinished at the time of his accession
to ONCE, and also concerning the dispatch boat
Dolphin, claimed to be completed and await
ing the acceptance Of the department, No one
can fail to see from recitals contained IN this
report that only the application of business
principles has been insisted upon IN the
treatment of these subjects, and that what
ever controversy has arisen was caused by
the eXaction on the part OF the department
OF contract obligations as they were legally
construed. In the case Of the Dolphin, with
entire justice to the contractor, an agree
ment has been entered into providing for the
ascertanment by a judicial inquiry of the
complete or partial compliance with the con-
tract In her construction, and further pro-
viding for the assessment of any damages to
which the government may be entitled on &C
count OF partial failure TO perform such
contract, or the payment Of the sum still re-
manning upon her price in case full per-
Torrance is adjudged.
RoACH's FAILURE.
The contractor by reason of his failure in
business being unable to complete the other
three vessels, they were taken possession of
under a clause in. the contract permitting
such a course, and are now in process of COM
pletion in the yard of the contractor, but
under the supervision of the Navy Depart
ment. Congress at it's last session authorized
the construction Of two additional new
cruisers and two gunboats at cost not ex
ceedingin the aggregate $2995,000. The APP
preparation for this purpose having
become available on July l last
steps were at once taken for
the procurement of such plans for the con-
structlon OF these vessels as would be likely
TO insure their usefulness when completed.
These are of the utmost Importance, consider
ing the constant advance in the art Of build
ing vessels OF this character, and the time is
not lost which 10 spent in their careful con-
sideration and selection. All must admit the
Importance of an effective navy to a nation
like ours, having such an extended sea-coast
to protect, and yet we have not a single yes
sci of war that could keep the seas against a
hrst-class vessel of any important power.
such condition ought not longer to continue.
The nation that cannot resist aggression is
constantly exposed to 1t.
WEAKNESS OF THE FOREIGN POLICY.
Its foreign policy is of necessity weak, aud its
negotiations are conducted with disadvan tage,
because it is not in condition to enforce the
terms dictated by its sense of right and JUS
tice. Inspired, as I am, by the hope shared
bS all patriotic citizens, that the day is not very
hts our standing among the nations of the
earth. and rejoiced at every step that leads in
the direction of such a contamination. deem
it my 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
emit organization of his department is
exhibited, and the startling abuses and waste
OF Its present methods are exposed. The con-
victlon is forced upon us with the certainty of
mathematical demonstration that before we
proceed further in the restoration OF Navy
we need a thoroughly reOrganzed Navy De
partment. The fact that within Il years more
than $4,000 900 have been spent in the con-
structiOn, repair, 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 nation I'M
defended by war vessels added to the dis
closures now made, do not permit Us to doubt
that every attempt to revive our navy has thus
far for the most part been mlsdirected. and
all our efforts in that direction have been little
better than blind groupings and expensive aim
less fOllies.
A SHABBY ORNAMENT.
Unquestlonably, if we are content with the
mentainsnce of navy department simply as
shabby ornament to the government, q con-
slant watchfulness may prevent some of the
scandal and abuse which have found their
way into our present organization, and its in
durable waste may be reduced to the mini
mum. But if we desire to build ships for pres
emit usefulness instead of naval reminders of
the days that are past, we must have depart
ment organized for the work, supplied with
all the talent and ingenuity our country af-
fords, prepared TO take advantage of the ex-
perience of other nations, systemized SO
that all effort shall unite and lead In one di-
rectiOn, and fully imbued with the conviction
that war vessels, though new, are useless un-
less they com bine all that the ingenuity of
man has up to this day brought forth relating
to their construction, I earnestly commend
the portion of the SeCretary's report devoted
attnnTiOn in
the hope that his suggestions touching the re-
organization of his department may be
adopted as the first step toward the recon-
struction of our navy.
THE POSTAL SERVICE.
The affairs Of the postal service are exhib-
tied by the report of the Postmas General,
which will be laid before you. The postal
revenue, whose ratio of gain upon the rising
prosperity of 1882 and 1888 outstripped the in
creasing expenses of our growing service, WAS
checked by the reduction in the rate of letter
postage, which took effect with the beginning
of October in the latter year, and il dlmin-
lshed during the two past fiscal years $780,
coo IN about the proportion of 81, 10000
in 1884 to $4,000 In 1885. The natural
growth and development have meantime in
creased the expenditure, resulting in a def
cheney IN tne revenue TO meet the expenses of
the department of five and a quarter million
dollars for the year 1884, and eight and third
million In the lass fiscal year. The antici-
pated and natural revival of the
by the unfavorable business condition of the
country, of which the Postal Service ia a faith
full indication. The gratifying fact is shown,
however, by the report that our returning
prosperity is marked by a gain Of $3.50. 900 in
the revenue Of the latter half Of the last year
over the corresponding period of the preced-
ing year. The change IN the weight OF first
class matter, which may be carried for a sin
gle rate OF postage. from half ounce to an
ounce, and the reduction by one-half of the
rate of newspaper postage, which, under re
cent legislation, begun with the current year,
Will operate to restrain the augmentation OF
receipts which otherwise might have been ex-
pected to such degree that the scale of ex-
pense may gain upon the revenue and cause
an increased deficiency to no shown at its
close.
TO BECOME SELF-SUsTAINING.
Yet, after no long period of reaw akened
prosperity by proper economy, 1t is confident
ly anticipated thai even the present low rates
now as favorable rs any country affords will
be adequate 20 sustain the cost of the service
The operation Of the Post Office Department
is for tho convenience and benefit OF the peo-
pie and the method by which they nav the
charges OF this useful arm OF their public SER
vice, 30 that It be lust aud impartial, is Of less
Importance TO them than the economical
expenditure Of the means they provide Tor its
maintenance and the due Improvement of lis
agencies 20 that they may enjoy its highest
useiulness. proper attention has been
directed TO the prevention OF waste or eN-
travaganCc, and good results appear from the
report TO have already been accomplished I
approve the recommendation OF the Post
master Gcueral to reduce the charges ON
domestic money orders OF s. and less from Sc
Co SC. This change will materially aid those
nI NJ g Of oil