Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1885-12-05
yards, their buildings, machinery, and their

yards, their buildings, machinery ana tneir
civil establishment.
Third. The Department OF Finance ano
Accounts, this covering contracts and pur'
chases of all naval stores, flags, coai' sta-
tionery, and care of storehouses, &c.
1t is in the second branch that the de-
partment has lamentsbly failed, continues
the secretary, and he devotes much space
10 showing in clear, concise manner that
failure springs from an improper division
of the work Of the department.
oF THE NAVY AS rs,
he says:
The country has expended since July |,
1868 (more than three years subsequent to
the close of the late civil war) over seven
ty.fiye millions of money on the construc,
ton, repair, equipment, and ordnance OF
vessels, which sum, with very slight ex'
ception, has been substantially thrown
away; the exception being few ships now
in process of construction. l do not over,
lock the sloops constructed in 1874 and
costing three or four millions OF dollars,
and to avoid discussion they may be ex.
cepted also. The fact still remains that
for about seventy of the seventy.hVe mill.
ions of dollars which have been expended
by the Department for the creation OF Q
navy we have practically nothing to show,
It ia questionable whether We have q
single naval vessel finished and aaoat at
the present time that could be trusted to
encounter the ships Of any Important
power-a single vessel that has either the
necessary armor for protection, speed for
escape, or weapons for defense. This is
NO secret: the fact has been repeatedly
commented upon in Congress by the lead
ing members Of both parties, confessed oy
our highest naval authorities, aud dePre
Gated by all. Such is not ths kind OF
navy which this country, with its extensive
coast line, it's enormous territorial area,
and incalculable commercial resources,
requires, nor such as it is entitled to have.
This country can afford to have, and 1t
cannot afford TO lack, naval force at least
go formidable that its dealings with foreign
powers will not be influenced at any time,
nor even be suspected OF being influenced,
BIZ a consciousness Of weakness on the sea.
While still striving to build up its mer-
chant marine aud 10 multiply its relations
with foreign markets, it cannot be expected
much longer to tolerate such expenditures
for a navy which could not for moment
defend even its diminutive commerce
against any considerable power
A naval vessel at the present moment is
q product Of science. As men OF science
throughout the world are continually slim
ulated to new discoveries and inventions,
no vessel that can be built eau be consid-
cred a fnality in any particular.
The problem Of keeping pace with the
march of improvement in these lines OF
industry is one Of incalculable difficulty;
and vet unless the Government is prepared
to avail itself promptly of all the improve
ments that are made in the construction
and equipment OF its ships its expenditures
are largely useless.
Secretary Whitney concludes On inter
esting and highly important report with
detailed aud specific directions to Congress
how to give the country navy worthy to
bear our hsg.