Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-03-11
Wilmington. Thursday, Mar, Il. 1886
oonrre..man bore EsplaLns.

The GAZETTE received Thursday the
following letter, which speaks for
itself. 1t seems to us to set Mr.. Lore
pretty straight on the marine engine
question, in that he has taken On early
opportunity to undo the effect of his
original vote In the naval committee by
voting, on the final consideration of the
hin, 10 strike out the Hewitt proposition.
We regret that Mr.. Lore did not make
this clear in his first letter. but we are
glad TO learn, both ON Mr.. Lore's account
and in the interest of American engine
builders, that the temporary lease of life
which MIR. Lore's first vote ION which our
criticism was based) gave the Hewitt
proposition has been efTectually choked
out of it, with the help of Mr.. Lore, by
the subsequent vote in committee. Here
is the letter;
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,, U. s., WASH
NaToH, d. O., March 8, 1856-Editor EUerV
Eoesieg-DEAR SIR; My attention has been
called to the editorial in yesterdays issue of
your paper.
The kindly tone of the article, aside from
your uniform courtesy in the past, assures
me that the criticism grows out Of erroneous
impressions of my vote and position in re-
speet to procuring marine engines for our
naval vessels
The naval committee of which l am a
member, proposed to build 10 new vessels
of war, with flrst-class engines and arm
aments. In the preliminary consideration
OF the bill, 1t was urged that when the Sec
-
there might be some new foreign inventions
that our builders did not possess, and
which could be had only by purchase; that
1t would be wise to authorize the secretary,
II there should be any such improvements
to buy the engines for one OF the 10 vessels
In Europe, that we might get the benefit OF
such inventions for our use, and thus pro-
duee the highest type of the then possible
vessels.
An amendment to this effect was offered
and / voted for it, with majority of the
committee. II was subsequently shown
that II such improvements should exist
they could be procured by our builders
without such purchase, and joined with a
very decided majority Of the committee II
striking out the authority when the bill
came to be finally considered.
You will see the purpose was to avail
ourselves Of the latest possible improve
ments, and insure the most advanced typ
OF cruisers, ny giving 10 our own sklliet
machinists the best foreign results, withou
cost to them. The whole object was tn
better to enable us to build our owl
engines, and conAne their manufacture t
this country.
lam not and never have been in favor o
building our ships and engines, anywher
else than at home. When unprovided, W
should furnish ourselves with the tOols
plans and establishments to manuiactur
all that we need for ilrst-class navy.
Permit me to say that no one takes MOI
pride in the exceptional skill of our Wi
mington machinists and in the pertectio
OF their work than l do. 1t has been IN
privilege to maintain their eXcellency
thu national legislature, in private conve
satAQn and elsewhere. Their work speal
for itself. and am glad to say receives {
every handful recognition and unstint,
praise.
My regret is that you did not have Il
facts before you wrot4 the editorial.
would have taken pleasure in furnishil
them to you il you had so desired.
know you will be pleased now to ?
me down as one of the most pronounc
co-advocates of the doctrine with which "
head your editorial, that in procuring o
marine engines, we should Build them
home" Yours very truly
CHARLES B. LORE