New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-12-23
WHAT THE CAMPAIGN DID FOR THE NAVY
THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR REPAIRS SPENT AND
SEVEN FISCAL MONTHS YET TO EUN.

THE APPROPRIATIONS FOR REPAIRS SPENT AND
SEVEN FISCAL MONTHS YET TO hun
Washington, Dec 30 (speciaD.-A survey OF the facts
connected with :he suspension Of work on the repairs
of vessels at tho Navy Yards at York, Norfolk
and Mare Island discloses tho one fact that these
REPAIRS are almost wholly under the direction of the
Bureau of Construction and Repair. Although no
official a the Navy Department shows desire to
discuss the matter openly among the officers them
selves there is much criticism of this Bureau and
the active interest it tooa furnishing employment
to as large a number of worlmen possible during
the campaign 1t is semtofcially stated that of the
$4,000 appropriated by Congress for this Bureau
for repairs TO vessels for the nsca year ending June
80 1852 more than ninety per cent has been expended
In less than five of the twelve months, and yet the
repairs Of the vessels at the Navy Yards are not
completed.
One OF the evil results of this iniudlcous interest
in a political campaign by department of the
military branch Of the Government is that the four
vessels of the North Atlantic Squadron which wore
have started the annual cruise among the West
Indies on November 10 are still at the NewYork
and Norfolk Navy Yards. The flagship Pen
sacola IS at Norfolk with the work on
on her suspended Her hull and tmbers are reported
sound but much is needed to be done upon her decks
and upon her spars and rigging before she can go
TO sea. The Osspee is in the dry-dock at Norfolk,
and her repairs to be c"mpictei at
1t will certainly take some time
to have the Ilanking repaired. Inis has been
removed under the water-line TO put In several new
knee. II was a little surprising that just before
election seveny-six OF the lveoak knees should have
been found 50 cracked and rotten TO make sea
voyage dangerous. 1t IS believed TO be the intention
10 do no more upon her than TO put her out Of
commissIon replace the old pianlung. aud lay
her up in ordinay-tbc excuse being in
sufiiciency Of appropriation by a parsmonous Con
gress- but. in fact. njudicIous aud extravagant
uso of the money in hand for campaign purposes.
The Galcna Of the same squadron, only left the
New York yard a few days ago for Hayti She has a
new commander and winter cruise IS IN pros pcct
for her. There was some doubt whether the repairs
necessary upon the Yantc could be completed in time
for Ter 10 accompany the Galcna The work upon her
was temporarily sus pended with the exception of com
pletng the new deck and then She ordered to be
made ready for sea without delay in view OF the
Havtian troubles The unScrvccabc condition Of these
vessels lust after election made Il necessary for the
Navy Department to order the Kearsarge to be put
into c. mn issCn at tho Portsmouth Navy Yard. and
hurried OF {, project American interests n Hayti
du-ing the instruction there. She put into Hamp on
Posdf on 40 embcr 10, Wi On captain Brown came
OF t. Warrington to see abou ha,lng soma necessary
repairs to her boilers completed beior going further.
AMI 10 get coal and other supplies az Norfolk on
The day before her arrival al Hampton Roads II was
learned that The Boston had arrived al Port an Prince,
Hsyti. whore she ordered to remain while Captain
Ramsay Investigated the Tor sczing the American
steamer liaytien Republic The hearsargc Is now on
The Pacific Squadron Is not so badly on, stu
four OF It's nlne vessels are at Mare Island, with
tie work of regalrs suspended upon hem' Ihs