Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-12-16
THE NAVY.
A REVIEW OF II OPERATIONS OF THAT
DEPARTMENT.

DEPARTMENT.
The report of the secretary OF the navy gives a
history of the operations of his department and
the present condition OF the work committed to
his charge. lie details in full the course pur-
sued by him to protect the rights of the govern
ment in respect to certain vessels unfinished at
the time OF his accession to office and also con-
corning the dispatch boat Dolphin. claimed to
be completed and waiting the acceptance Of the
department. No one can fail to see from the re-
cital contained in this report that only the appii.
cation Of business principles has been insisted
upon IN the treatment of these subjects, and that
whatever controversy has arisen was caused by
the %exastion on the part of the department ut
contract obligations as they were legally con-
strued.
IN THE CASE OF TIL DOLPHIN,
with entire iustness to the contractor, an agree
ment has been entered into providing for tho
ascer ainment by a judicial inquiry of the COM
her construction, and further providing for the
assessment OF any damages to which the govern
ment may be entitled on account of a partial
Failure to perform such contract, or the payment
OF the sum slu remaining unpaid upon her price
in case n full performance il ~adjudged. The
contractor, by reason Of his failure in business,
being unable to collpiete the other three vessels.
they were taken possession Of by the government
IN their diminished condition, under q clause in
the contract permitting such a course. and are
now in process of completion in the yard OF the
contractor, but under the supervision of the
navy department.
Congress in its last session authorized the con-
struction of two additional new cruisers and we
gunboats, az a cost not exceeding IN the aggregate
$2,ss5A0l The appropriation for this purpose
having become available on the lst day of July
last. steps we're at once taken for the procure
ment OF snch plans for the construction Of these
vessels az would be likely TO insure their useful
ness when completed. These are of the utmost
importance c9nsidering the constant advance
and the time is not lost which is spent 10 their
careful consideration and selec4ion.
All must admit the
IMroRTANcE OF AN EFFECTIVE NAVY
TO a nation like ours, having such IN extended
sea cuast to protect. Yet We have not a single
vessel OF war that could keep the seas against a
hrst-ciass vessel OF any important power. Such
q condition ought not longer to continue. The
nation that cannot resist aggression ia constantly
exposed TO it. Its foreign policy is Of necessity
weak, and Is nesUtiations are conducted with dis
advantage because il il not in condition to en-
force the terms dictated br its sense of right and
Justice.
Inspired as | am by the hope shared by all
patriotic citizens that the day is not far distant
when our navy will be such ne BELTS our stand
ing among the nations Of the earth. aud reiuicei
at every step that lends in the direction of such
q contamination, l 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 features of the present organiza-
ton Of this department. is exhibited and the
startling abuses and waste of his present metA,d
are exposed. The conviction is forced upon us.
with the certainty of mathematical dernonstra.
ton, that before We proceed further in the
restoration OF a navy we need
A THOROUGHLY REoRGANizED NAVY DEPART
AENr
The fact that within seventeen years more than
$75,00O.OOO have been spent in the construction,
repair, equipment and a. mament Of vessels, and
the further fact that instead of an effective and
creditable feet we have only the discomfort and
apprehension of a nation undefended be- war yes
sells, added to the disclosures 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
expensive, aimless ~follies. unquestionably, il
We are content with the maintenance Of n navy
ment, q constant wHtchfulness may prevent some
Of the scandal and abuse which have found their
way into our present organization, and its incura-
BILE waste may be reduced to the minimum. But
il we desire to
BUILD SHIPS FOR PRESENT USE
instead Of naval reminders OF tho days that are
past, we must have a department organized for
the work, supplied with all the talent and in
genuity our country affords. prepared to take ad-
vantage OF the experience of other nations, sys-
tematized go that all efforts shall unite and lead
IN one direction and fully imbued with the con
unless they are to combine al that the inganuity
of man has up to this day brought forth relating
TO their c0nst fuction. learnesily commend the
portion of the secretary report devoted TO this
subject to the action of congress, in the hope
that the suggestions touching the reorganization
OF his department may be adopted as the frat
step toward the reconstruction of our navy