Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-06-23
REPUBLICAN WIT.

The following witty p sally appears in
the Tribune's Washington specials this
morning:
Last week the Democrats in the House
roundly abused the Republicans because
when they were in power they did not bulid
ships of war to keep the United States Navy
up TO par. Their insincerity was SHOWN 10,
day when on strict party line they voted
down by 30 to 13l, the motion of Coli OF
West Virginia to recommit the naval ap-
preparation bill with instruction TO insert a
clause providing for the building OF moni-
tors, recommended some time ago by the
Naval Committee. The Republicans voted
solidly Aye, and the Democrats No. VI
told you So" said Mr.. Reed of Maine. wink
ing and smiling.
The old crop OF monitors-those that
had seen service during the war--be-
came so rotten, and cost so much to keep
them from sinking, and for wharfage
dues where they were taken for spasmo-
die repairs, that Republican Admins
tration passed bill for the building OF
six new doublc-turreted monitors Of the
type OF the old Monadnock, and they
were built by degrees, in the past six
years, being excellent excuses for hiring
extra help Just before election time, until
now they remain upon the ways, where
their frames were set up, their timbers
showing evidences of dry rot, and their
costly machinery not yet put in. They
have no merits over the oldstylc moni-
tors, unless it be in improved boiler
power, which, as they are designed for
harbor defense, is of no great moment.
1t will cost some millions to finish this
useless and unnecessary outfit, and a
Democratic Congress will not shoulder
the load from a Republican one. The
money necessary to finish these worthless
monitors, would build two or three first
class ironclad cruisers, and as the popu-
lar idea, backed by pressing necessity,
calls for that class Of ships, and as Secre-
tary Whitney has given his word that
only that class OF vessels shall be built
the Democratic Congress is eminently
correct in refusing to perfect the naval
abortions born OF Republican rule, and
thus take upon themselves the odium
that properly belongs to spendthrift and
scheming opposition. One OF these use
less vessels is now at the Mare Island
Navy Yard, and each succeeding yeal
sees money wasted on her, and all to nc
purpose, as any naval vessel atloat, o.
modern build and equipment, carries one
or more torpedo boats, and one OF these
little things could sink the unweildy
monitor at her will. These few facts ex
plain the strict party vote, and the wink
ing and smiling OF Mr.. Reed, of Maine, is
explained by the fact that he believes Inc
has made telling point against the
Democratic party, by forcing them to ;
strict party vote against the increase o
the navy. Mr.. Reed, of Maine, can RES
assured that there are a thousand mer
with pens, to-day, who will expose his
little game, and his exceeding smartness
will be apt to floor him with the people
1t will be interesting to watch the mex
naval appropriation bill, and note how
this solid Republican phalanx will vote
when money is wanted to build good sea
going, armored war ships. The smiling
and winking will be apt to change OF
that occasion.