The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-12-29
a THOROUGH SECRETARY.

Moving Cautiously, But Laying the
Foundation for Ono Of the Finest
Navies In the World.
The practical manner in which the
Secretary of the Navy is setting about
the work of building up the navy and
restoring to the country the prestige it
once enjoyed in that line, gives assur-
ances of success. The wretched mis-.
management of that department under
Republican Administrations, and the
culpable inefficiency in the perform
ance of duty which characterized those
Administrations 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 Mr.. Whitney as
sumed charge he found hlmselfin po-
sition OF exceeding embarras sment, his
predecessor having not only awarded
the contracts for three steel cruisers
and dispatch boat to favored con-
tractor, but having, in defiance of law,
advanced large sums of the reserva-
tons to the contractor before the work
was completed. The entire set of YES
sells designed under the Chandler re-
gime have disappointed the expecta-
tions of those who naturally thought
they would possess the most essential
features of the modern cruiser, speed
and strength. Admiral Porter declares
that he has no faith in those heirlooms
of the Chandler Administration, as
their lack of speed places them at a
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 proposes 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 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 Administrative 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 Porter
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, speed of nineteen and half
knots. He is of opinion that a 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 af1oat.
Very satisfactory progress hae 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 gunsnecessary 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
humbled, and during the rebellion.
when the achievements of the Monitor
caused revolution in naval building
all over the world. We have the finest
material in the world in our sailors
and marines and the training Of ou1
naval officers is second to none. With
| capable, efficient, honest head to the
department and liberal appropriations
by Congress, all the elements neces-
| sary to make our navy-a source Of
| pride instead Of shame are combined,
and the result can not but be emf
nently satisfactory. albany Argus.