The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-06-15
THE MONITOR FLEET.
An Extended Statement of Commander
Graham's Position.


The Army and Navy Register publishes
this week the following communication
anent the letter in THE TIMES from Com
mander Graham. Of the monitors: "The
boats OF vessel OF war are under the ex-
elusive control of the commanding officer,
sent 10 and from the shin at such times as
he may designate. No authority has been
given by me To the newspapers to make any
statement that the steam launch would be
used for that purpose. But there is a
certain element in every city. and
Richmond is no more free than any
other place, that pretend TO have
the idea that they have the right
10 force themselves wherever they please,
and among this class VI people here it
seems to he the opinion that the monitors
are lying here for the purpose Of being used
as place Of public resort for their pleasure,
and that they have the right to come ON
boaid whenever they please, and stay as
long as they wish. and go whenever they
see iit This is "a mistake.
"lhe monitors are i'm the James river SIM
ply because lying in fresh water does not
cusrode the iron asit-would in salt water,
otherwise they would be at the Norfolk navy
yard. have. since | have been here,
received anonymous letters, which were
impertinent, upbraiding me because ! do
not choose 10 be aDnoyed 10y letting every
one who comes on board run all over my
private quarters. The permitting Of visitors
Ia come on board il entirely at my discre-
tion, and have directed that whenever IT.
spectacle and orderly people ask permis-
sion 20 come on board 10 look at the mOni-
tors, they should be permitted TO do so
between the hours of 10 A. VI. and sunset
Oh any day but sunday, and they will be
shown around the vessels and treated with
courtesy, but do not intend TO run excur-
sion boats for that purpose.
There II no more reason why the general
public should be allowed To run all over
these vessels at all hours OF the day, and in-
wade NY private quarters, than there IS that
they should be permitted TO run all over the
state House at Richmond or invade Cover
nor Mckinney's private Office. My steam
launch is supplied TO be used for the ships
duties. one Of them is 10 convey the friends
Of myself and officers 10 the ship when they
wish 10 call upon us. Any person who
shows by his appearance that he is what he
represents himself 10 be, and says that he is
desirous Of calling on any officer of the
ships, viii be brought down in the launch, but
as | know certain people have endeayored
10 get on board the vessels as objects OF Gu
ri0sity, under the pretense Of wishing 10
call on me. for the purpose of getting a
passage in the boat, | have issued orders
prohibiting il. and intend the orders 10 re-
main in force.
"furthermOre, am not aware that be-
cause n person occupies an official posi-
tion that it is obligatory upon him 10 form
different circle vi acquaintances than he
would il he was a private citizen. ! be-
lieye he has the right to choose the circle of
society in which he desires TO make his
associations, and certainly shall exercise
that privilege, and do not consider it at
all necessary that | should receive
every person who comes on board
these vessels as my personal callers by any
means. any lady or gentleman who de-
sres to call personally upon my wife or
myself, and has stated that fact to the cOXs-
vain Of the launch, and he has refused TO
bring them down. and will notify me of the |
time of the occurrence, the matter will be
investigated, but the cOXswain will be up
held by me in every instance where he re-
fuses 10 bring sight-seors who simply wish !
10 get ride down the river under the pre-
tense Of desiring to make personal call.
"rhe fact of a steam launch belonging TO
government vessels does not warrant its |
being used by. the general public without |
authority any more than government
wagon used by the Navy department should |
be allowed TO convey passengers over Il
public thorOughiare. The circle of ac-
quaintances that have made since coming |
To Richmond il very well known to the cox
swain, and. therefore, in my opinion, he |
seldom fails 10 be right, and ! am not at ali
worried as to my being misjudged in any |
way by those who have done me the honor |
of calling on me-"