New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1886-12-08
sFcpETaRy VBJTyEY'S PROTEST.

Secretary WDltney Is uu"iiiiDR w 10 'n''''o
the scapegoat Df Democratic Free Traders.
Last winter the House Committee on Naval
Affairs authorized him to buy engines ana ma
chipery abroad, and toward the close OF the
session introduced substitute bill giving him
discretionary power to purchase shaftng anu
armor in Europe AS the majority OF this COM
mittee vas generally supposed to be controlled
by the Secretary ami to be anxious to carly out
his policy, he has been held responsible by the
public for these features of the two bills. In a
cogent letter published in another column he
complains of unfair treatment and disclaims
responsibility for either proposal. lie brings
for ward satisfactory proof that he Opposed the
purchase of machinery abroad. lie also refers
TO his letter to Senator Cameron, OF the Senate
Committee on Naval Affairs, az containing
complete demons ration of his unwllhngness 10
buy armor abroad. That letter was written for
the purpose of saving the House Naval bill,
which was threatened with defeat in the Sen
ate. He did not recommend the rejection OF
tho clause conferring discretionary power to
buy arnor abroad, but disclaimed any lnten-
tim of exercising that power. The Senate pre-
ferred not to take any risks and made the pur-
chase of armor in the United States compul-
sory. If he had recommended this course bis
letter to Senator Cameron wOuld have been a
complete vndicaton OF his present position.
As the case stands he is on record as favoring
the House bill comforting discretionary power
to buy shafting and armor abroad.
In order to be strictly just to Secretary Whit
ney we readily admit that the letters to the
Naval Committees contain nothing unfrendly
to American industries. On the contrary, he
protested strongly against the purchase OF for
eign engines and recognized the necessity, as
matter of National policy, of introducing and
developing the manufacture of armGr and gun
STEEL In this respect these two letters are IN
accord with the Secretary's last report, which
has already been warmly praised by THE TRIB-
UNE. 1t il with genuine pleasure that We dis
cover these evidences of sympathy with Ameri-
can industries. The Secretary may be assured
in advance Of our congratulations, which he
himself bespeaks. if he succeeds in homestead
ing the manufacture of arinor aud gun-steel.
Since the Secretary is so well disposed toward
home industries, it is unfortunate that his
position should have been compromised by Free
Traders In the House, who persisted in arming
him with dangerous discretionary power Of
purchasing material abroad. Still more unfortu
nate has been the Secretarys own course in
discrediting naval experts. in purchasing de-
signs for ships from foreign constructors, and
in waging a disastrous warfare upon the
American shipbuiding industry These acts.
coupled with the House Committees clauses in
favor of the importation of engines. shafting
and armor have created a strong presumption
against his solicitude for home industries.
Since he now desires TO be known as friend
and patron of those industries, he cannot be too
precise and emphatic in future in dsclaiWing
any intention Of employing foreign labor, ma
terial and plans in the reconstruction of the
American Navy.
THE TRIBUNE certainly has never desired to
be unjust to Secretary Whitney. When the
Cabinet was formed it considered him the
strongest man in it. 1t confidently expected
great things of him. 1t had earnestly advo-
cated the building of a new Navy. 1t was pre-
pared to support him in systematic and intelli-
gent attempts to reOrganize the naval service
and to construct a feet that would be worthy of
the Nation. II he had accepted the work of his
predecessor as q beginning to supply the Navy
with steel cru isers of moderate cost, and had
directed all his energies to obtaining improved
designs, faster ships and more useful vessels Of
war, 1t would not have been necessary to CEN
sure him. He did not follow this course. He
devoted tho first year of his term to partisan
warfare upon Republican contractor. He dis
credited tho work of the Advisory Board. He
ruined the most enterprising of American ship
builders. THE TRIBUNE could not approve Of
the Secretary's partisan raid upon National in
dustres and his disparagement of ma, al en-
gineers. But it can have no quarrel with him
in future if no goes about the work which
should have been undertaken at the outset. If
he succeeds in fostering new naval Industries
and in building seaworthy cruisers Of high
speed, he will do much to retrieve the plumbers
and disasters of his first year. In that effort he
has THE TRIBUNE's best wishes.