New-York tribune., 1886-05-26
TPI1L or TIE A1L1NTA.

The second steel war cruiser of the four
designed and constructed by the recent Rrpub-
lican Administration of the National Govern
ment has been finished and is soon TO have Il e
preliminary trial trip provided for in the
contract of the Navy Department with John
Roach, the builder. After Mr. Roach had been
ruined by the opinion of Attorney y-Gcncral
Garland that the Government had no contracts
at all with him and that he was the absolute
debtor of the United States to be pursued for
the sum of $2,12j.226 IL whic1 had been
paid him on the four vessels, Secretary Whit
ney, in wise disregard Of the worthless opinion,
took possession of the Chicago, Atlanta and
Boston, under the contracts, and undertook to
finish them himself using, as he had right by
the contracts TO use, the yards. plant, machln-
cry and materials of the contractor. The pre-
iminary trial trip of the Atlanta, therefore,
| takes place under the uncontrolled direction
and management of Secretary Whitney, and
not, like that of the Dolphin, under the control
of Mr.. Roach, the contractor. Mr.. Whitney
prepares for and conducts the trial Mr.. Roach
and his assignces WILL however, be responsible
for the results. Mr.. Whitney is therefore con-
spicuously bound to open and fair treatment of
the Atlanta on her trial trip.
| 1t is painful, however, to say that the good
faith of the Navy Department in reference to
all four of the cruisers is seriously suspected.
! Secretary Whitley appointed an Examining
Board to reconsider the conclusions of his
statutory advisers, the Naval Advisory Board,
! of which Rear Admiral Edward Simpson was
president. He selected for his appeal Board "A
Commodore who was then publicly posing as an
principles and doctrines of the Democracy
instilled into his mind in childhood and youth" Z"
and who was cnergeticaly seeking pyO-
motion and a favored command from the
| Department; "a Commander who had been re-
| leved from desirable lighthouse daty by Sec
retares Chandler and FolgeI and had been
restored to it by Secretary Whitney and a
civilian marine engineer who was in the employ
of a steamship company IN which Mr. Whitney
and his relatives were esled and which was
hostile to Mr. Roach. We shall not here review
the series of acts which followed the appoint
ment of this unfair board, by which 1t was
attempted to demonstrate that the Dolphin
was structurally weak and could not make
fifteen knots per hour. 1t is enough Ia say that
they Indicated that the Navy Department was
desperately bent on proving, by unfair means
if necessary, the truth of lis assertions. The
final result has. however, been the complete
vindlcation of the strength and speed OF the
Dolphin and the Department has taken by its
motion nothing except the fear in the public
mind that the Navy Department will unfairly
handle aud will mo-t willingly condemn, if
possible the Chicago, Boston and Atlanta.
Doubtless Secretary Whitney and his friends
will disclaim the spirit of hostility thus ascrbed
to them. Ii their acts correspond to their pro-
fessions we shall gladly give them credit. But
two or three requisites should not be omitted.
| Fair preparations should bc made for the trial