The morning call., 1891-04-19
EDITORIAL NOTES.

Secretary Tracy's civil service methods will
next be applied to the Mare Island Navy-yard.
IL is predicted that he will reach that point with
his policy within sixty days. In his recent
memorable speech at Boston the Secretary, al
udng to the employment of labor at the navy
yards, summed up the situation thus: " For nifty
years this has been the one weak spot In naval
administration. Whatever the party in control
OF the Government, it seems hitherto to have
been poweress to exclude political Influence in
the employment OF navy-yard labor. 1t Is not
enough, apparently, that the mechanics and
wOrkmen In the Government shops should be
Republicans or Democrats; they mast wear the
collar of the ward bosses who iun the local po-
ltica machine. The practice Is source of de-
moraliZation 10 any party that attempts to use
il, destructive to the Government service and
debauching to local and national politics. IL is
ulcer on the naval administrative system and
i propose to cut IL out"
II The pneumatic disappearing gun-carrlage for
the great 10-inch breech-lOadlug rife built by
the Wa, Department proves satisfactory in the
approaching trial at Sandy Hook IL means
other advance for the better in The handling Of
heavy ordnance. Tie gun and carriage VIII be
located in Il pit below the earth's surface, where
the bg weapon will be loaded mechanically
raised and fired. 1t is calculated that the entire
operation Of sending the gun up into the battery,
firing IL and having 1t recoil to be reloaded will
occupy only a Few seconds. Government OIL
cials believe that the system would prove Il yalu-
able one, not only for harbor defenses but also
for the navy. Indeed. II has been suggested that
some OF the old monitors could be maze avaa-
bic for coast defense by removing the turrels and
providing them with big rifles mounted on
pneumatic disappearing gun-carriages.
Advces from Belgrade, showing fears are en-
tertained there that out Of the critical relations
which now exist between Servia and AuSLro-
Hungary ana Bulgaria some catastrophe Will
shortly come, are accompanied by the announce
ment that ex-King Nilan's extraordinary sug-
ges.ion that the Servian Government place
6,000,0 900 francs for him In a French bank Will
not be gratlfed. The Government is prepared
10 do nothing more than to continue his monthly
pension Of 10000 francs, and makes even this
allowance contingent on his leaving the kingdom
and not returning there during young King AL
eXanders minority.
Though Bartheemy Saint Hilare warns
FIencbmen of the dangers OF extravaganza aud
ultimate bankruptcy the wondrous productivity
and wealth OF France ar prOVerbal. nation
that can stand an annual budget reaching as
high as 1886. 100000 must certainly possess
wonderful resources Not only have vast sums
been spent on her army, navy and public works,
bat many more millions have bren poured into
The Panama Canal scheme and loaned to foreign
nations Ii is estimated that in less than three
years Russia alone borrowed more than $780,
100000.
Bismarck is bound 10 enter the Reichstag. Not
only were official influences arrayed against him
in the Geeslemunde elections. but Emperor Will
lam is also credited with an intention OF dissolv-
Ing the Rechstag should The ex- Chancellor sue
coed in forming Conservative National Liberal
coalition against the Government Inasmuch as
general election would greatly re-enforce the
Socialist part of the house lie may, however,
ultimately reconsider his determination.