The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1886-12-23

NavleS IN the "orius
The practical manner in which the
of the Navy is setting about
the work of building up the navy and
restor ng to the country the prestige it
once enjoyed in that line, gives assur-
ances of success. The wretched mis-
of that department under
Administrations, and the |
culpable inefiiciency in the perform
ance of duty which characterized those
form a chapter in |
the history of our Government !
that reflects indelible disgrace on
those responsible for the de-
cline of the navy. Favored con-
tractors, worthless ships and enormous |
expenditures were the principal feat
ures of Republican control of the Navy |
Department. When MIR. Whitney as
sumed charge he found himself in a po-
sition Of exceeding Embarrassment, his
predecessor having not only awarded
the contracts for three steel cruisers
and dispatch boat to a favored con-
tractor, but having, in defiance of law,
advanced large sums of the rcserva-
tions to the contractor before the work
was completed. The entire set of ves-
sells designed under the Chandler re-
gime have disappointed the expacta-
tions of those who naturally thou yht
they would po o,sess the most essential
features of the modern cru uiser, speed
ard strength. Admiral Porter declares
that he has no faith in those heirlooms
of the Chandler Administration, as
their lack of speed places them at q
serious disadvantage with the ships of
other nations. We shall have to rely
upon more efficient vessels for the new
navy. and to this end Mr.. Whiney's
efforts are being directed.
He proposa IS to secure the best attain
able models for the new ships, with the
highest rate of speed consistent with
offensive and defensive requirements.
He adopts a broad. sensible policy to
gain his point. seeking to avail him.
self of the best naval skill obtainable.
There will be none of the hasty, reck-
less, lnconsiderate methods that gov
erned the former Administrator of the
department. Mr.. Whitney prefers to
move slowly and cautiously SO as to
do his work thoroughly. The new
ships will, undoubtedly. represent the
latest and choicest improvements in
naval architecture and a higher rate of
speed than those designed under the
Chandler regime. Admiral Por er
speaks of three classes of vessels for
the new navy, the first represented by
. vessel of between six and seven thou
sand tons and able to make, for a few
hours, a speed of nineteen and half
knots. He is of opinion that vessel
is not fit to be considered as cruiser
nowadays that has not a speed of
at least eighteen and half knots.
For the new vessels the best of
armament is needed, as they are in
tended to be the peers of any afloat.
Very satisfactory progress has been
made in this direction during the past
year, as the report of the Chief of
Ordnance shows. 1t is no easy task to
construct and finish the high power
steel guns necessary for modern ships of
war, especially as we have had so little
real or efficient work done in the ord
nance line until the building of the
+, new navy commenced. With new
ships and new guns of the best patterns.
the United States will once more re-
gain the prestige it held in the war of
1872, when the pride of England was
humblad, and during the rebellion.
caused revolution in naval building
material in the world in our sailors
| and marines and the training of our
naval officers is second to none. With
| capable, efficiont. honest head to the
| department and liberal appropriations
by Congress, all the elements nee g.
sary to make our navy a source OF
pride instead of shame are combined,
and the result can not but be emil
nently satisfactory.-Aibany Arqus.
THE "HARMoNIoUs" PARTY.
Facts to he Explained by Those Rspub-
lfcans Who Claim That the Democracy
| Only Is Split by Factions.
A recent attempt of Hon. William
E. Chandler to restore harmony
throughout the length and breadth oi
the Republican party is likely to end
in failure. He published card some
time ago in which he pronounced
''baseless" a statement made by the
chairman of the National Republican
Committee, Mr.. B. F. Jones, at the
close of the campaign of 1884, to the
effect that President Arthur and his
Cabinet had shown want of fidelity
and zeal in the Blaine canvass. After
thus in a sufficiently explicit way
calling Mr.. Jones liar, MIR. Chandler
proceeded to deprecate, in beauti
full passage, the tendency among the
leaders of his party to indulge in per.
sonal quarrels. He thought Mr.. B,aine
acted "from sudden impulse" when he
declined Mr.. Edmunds' hand at the
Arthur funeral, and Thereby widened
breach which, like that with Mr.
Conkling, onght never to have exist
ed" Then, holding behind him tn,
club with which he had just hit Mr.
Jones over the head, Mr.. Chandler
continued: "While our great Republic
an Leaders quarrel, the party suffers
and by reason of such differences los ::
Presidential election. 1t is for tn,
interest Of the country that such purel,
personal controversies should not aris
or continue between prominent leader
OF either party"
Mr.. Jones appears to have been NOR
deeply impressed with the club thar
the olive-branch portion of MIR. Chan
dler's letter. for in all interview whicl
is pub ished he says that his statemen
of 1881 was not ''baseless. but entire
ly true. and then makes these pointe'
and decidedly unfriendly personal al
lusions to MIR. Chandler:
So far as MIR. Chandlers reference tn m
personally is concerned ] do not feel calle
upon TO defend myself. have no taste for
nor do see am present occasion for discus
pans ss s nd fhe p e
course had with him in tle campa gn O
1884 were not such as to commend him +
those having the success of the Republ ca
party at heart His criticisms at that time G
men then the most prominent IN the party.
! not seem to me quite consistent with n pre-:
ent express onS of regret in regnrd to ba
feeling between public men ] would not lik
to feel called upon to make public the fact
upon which my opinion OF MIR. Chandler
based.
If Mr.. Jones opinion of Mr.. Chan
dler is any thing like that which tn
intelligent public has long held of him
IL wOull he Interesting to Spe If sp