Omaha daily bee., 1889-08-28
IN THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA.
That's Where the War Ship Texas
Will Be.
IF SHE GOES INTO THE WATER.
A Number OF Naval Experts arc Con.
vinccd That the Vessel Gan Never
Learn to- swim--Changcs
i'm the Army.
WASHINGTON BuREAu, TUE OMAHA BEs, !
h1H EnunrEENru SrRERr

WAsuINGroN, ID. c., August 2I
When the history OF the United States
man-o -of-war Texas Is written il will be likely
to dim some of the luster with which tha
democratic organs have surrounded the past
administration, and especially that OF Secre-
tary Whitney. Secretary Whitney began
tho rehabilitation OF the American navy
because congress first appropriated the
money necessary for this just as Mr.. Whit
ney began his term. The secretary
had about him all the same
naval constructors and designers
that had been IN the department for years.
Tho same men made the plans for the most
of the ships for which contracts arc now out,
who would have made them had it peen re-
publican instead of democratic ad ninistra-
ton in control, but Mr.. Whitney's hackers
paid no attention to this. They were deter-
mued that the first democratic secretary Of
the navy since the war should have the credit
of expending the money which democratic
congress had provided and which the same
democratic congress had refused to provide
for republican administrations.
Among the vessels to be built were tho
Maine and the Texas, two enormous battle
ships, which it was determined to construct
in the navy yards instead of permitting them
to be built by contractors. Mr.. Whitney
ohered a large sum for plans, which sum was
aWaTueu 10 an fnSllSn concern. Inc
plans were accepted and the vessel was
named the Texas and work begun in the
Norfolk navy yard. Shortly after the keel
had been laid experts in naval construction
announced that there was some
thing wrong, and that the Texas
would never float If completed under the de-
sign. Mr.. Whitney caused the matter 10 be
investigated and criticism was hushed up
by the statement that the experts had dis.
covered that the Texas was all right. The
work which had been suspended was begun
again and continued until short time ago,
when Secretary Tracy had his attention
called to the matter, and he determined
to make new investigation. For
some weeks the officers of the
construction bureau of the navy department.
have been making careful estimate upon
the displacement of water which will follow
the launch of the Texas with her full arma-
ment of heavy rifle guns. These calcula-
tions have been drawn up in formal report
and are awaiting the secretary's return.
While the navy. department people do not
feel warranted in giving out information con-
corning the matter, it is known that the
experts have convinced themselves that the
Texas cannot weather fve-knot breeze il
completed under the plans upon which she is
being built. In fact it is said that she would
sink with the weight of her gun metal.
The Texas was designed to cost $3, QUO, 900.
More than $3.50, 900 have already been ex-
pended upon her and this money is prac-
ticaily wasted 1t is believed that she will
have to be cut in two and length
ened out great many feet to
be of any service, and that it will be impos-
siDle to make her first-class vessel in spite
of anything that can be DONE The chances
are that she will be abandoned entirely and
that the money will be used in the construc-
tion of an entirely new ship.
ARMY CHANGES.
A circular was issued to-day from the war
department announcing the changes in the
army during the past week:
Appointment-Second Lieutenant Charles
ID. Rhodes Seventh cavalry, to be second
lieutenant Sixth cavalry, August 10, 1883,
vice Stotsenburg, promoted.
Promotlon-Lieutenant Colonel James s..
Brisbn, Ninth cavaly, to be colonel of the
First cavalry, August ~, 1889, vice Dudley,
retired from active service; Major George
B. Sanford, First cavalry, to be lieutenant
colonel of the Ninth cavalry, August 20, 1899,
vice Brsbin, promoted to the First cavalry;
Captain Charles Viele, cavalry, to be major
First cavalry, August 20, 1889, vice Sanford,
promoted to the Ninth cavalry; First Lieu
tenant Charles ID. Nordstrom, regimental
guartermaster Tenth cavalry, to be
captain, August 20, 1889, vice Viele,
promoted to the First cavalry; Sec
ond Lieutenant John M. Stolsenbure, Sixth
cavalry, to he first lieutenant August 10,
1889, vice Blake, resigned; to be assistant
surgeon, with the rank of captain, after five
years. service in accordance with the act Of
June 90, 1870 Assistant Surgeon William ID.
McCaw, August 20, 1889.
NEBRASKA AND IOWA PosrMAsTERs.
Nebraska--Norden, Keya Paha county, ID.
w. Evans: Scotia, Greeley county, Lewis
Herbert.
Sanborn; Goldfeld, Wright county, Captain
S. NJ Huyak; Luana. Clayton county, Al
phons Ernest; Meservy, Ccrro Gordo county,
j. j. Kelly.