New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-03-04
WASHINGTON GOSSIP.
THE PROMISE OF A FINE NEW NAVY.
.xnERsoN, oFyKANSAs-GOvERNOR HILL
LAND IN THE NoRTHwEST-SEN.
ATOR BLAIR,


now ships This is one of the most liberal appro-
nriations that the Navy Department has yet had.
Thirty millions in all have been appropriated for
tbe Navy Department this year The eighteen
millions will be employed for the completing of
work already begun and the building of new ships
q, war Three great battle-ships are now being
laid down. These vessels will be the equal II not
the superior of anything now existing in the Eng
lisb Navy. Although these battle-ships will be
only lOO 900 tonnage, they will be superior to the
ships recently launched by the Queen in England,
which have tonnage of 14,500 tons. The SUI
periority of our vessels will be in the batteries
carried. Our lO.O00-ton ships will carry heavier
batteries than the aforementioned ships of English
construction. In other words, these new battle
ships of ours are further along in the direction OF
modern improvements than the latest productions
Of the English Navy. 1t is more than prooaoie
that this country will have within the next hVe
wears one of the finest naves in the world IN polht
Of effectiveness.
One of the great discoveries made in this coun-
try. which will render our ships superior 10 any
even of the latest European construction IS IN 'Ao
direction of armor plates. Experiments mace a'
Annapolis have brought about most astonishing
results. The most successful experiment thus lsr
was made only few days ago The Navy Depart
msnt now has q process for specially hardening
the outer surface of plate TO the depth Oh ali
inoh two. This process has SO strens 'i'eno' y
the plates which were pierced by the loo.Pouiiu
steel proectiles used against them last 1all, Una.
to-day the improved plates were simply lnoen.ea
and the projectiles were broken into powder. Inc
plate, however, was broken, although not plerceu
by the contact. 1t is now believed that with 'he
Ioff 1n l10f n IL
oiept toughness may be given to prevent the
breaking. Then the present surface, which Is 50
hard as to shatter IOo-pound ball into a powder,
will make our new ships the best protected IN the
world. If the experiment of toughenlns the
mates is successful the new ships will be rendered
practically impervious to the guns of the average
battery Of any of the ships in the European SER
vice.
recent editorial writer in The Newfork
World" charges Congressman Anderson. OF hansas'
with being an Ignorant aud uncouth man, ana
argues from this that Mr.. Andersons is an
unfit appointments for the Office of Consul
General In Egypt This editorial writer argues
thot only a scholar should be appointed to this
post, and uses the alleged fact Of Mr.. Andersons
uncoIthness and ignorance as basis for furious
criticism of the President. 1t would not do TO
insnuate indirectly that any gifted editorial writer
conld bv the remotest chance DO himself ignorant.
but it would be interesting to know the standard
of intellectual culture assumed by the writer
in question when he declares Mr.. Anderson to
bp IGNORANT and uncouth. Mr.. Anderson is
scholar and man of books He is one OF tic
hest sneakers In the House, and uses the best @.
English He is graduate Of the Miami Uni
yersty of Ohio, and after graduating was ordained
as PRESBYTERIAN minister. During the war, after
lie had retired from the ministry. he was the
agent for California for the United
States Sanitary Commission. From 1898 10 Is ~
he was president of the Kansas Agricultural Col
lege. He has served twelve years III Congress
1t will thus be seen that he has hod
wide range Of experience and much more OF an
education than falls to the lot of the average man.
Mr. Anderson has improved his opportunities. He
is a quiet observer, a gentleman Tn his dress ana
bearing and at home in any society. lie IS eX-
qualified for the post to which he
has been appointed, and the only wonder IS 'haU
lie should care to accept 1t.
Republican politician from New-iork SAID
to-day that he thought Governor Hill had mace
the mistake of his life if he was anxious TO secure
a Presidential nomination, in accepting an eiec-
tion 70 the United States Senate. He said: 10
day Governor Hill is strong in his State win
his marty lie is q master Of all the tricks and
devices which are so potent III controlling ohe
Democratic machine there. lie IS now Regarded
by the Democrats in the State as great man.
When he comes to tho Senate of the United States
he will in the first place be absent from his
machine and some one else will gain control OF II.
In the second place, he will be found ont and
brought down 10 his level. He is not the equel
Of any one of dozen of the Democratic Leaders i'll
the Senate in ability, and he will have 10 take
back seat. Instead of being great hgureheau
and the director of the affairs of his party in the
State. he will be fourth or NTH rale
Senator who will not be permitted TO speak or
take any part in the debates until he has served
some time. If he should attempt TO violate the
etiquette Of the Senate and To force himself to the
'front.' he would require much more ability than
he naturally possesses in order 70 make snch an
attempt successful He will be brought into
field where local tricks and skill in manipulation
Will count for nothing. Senator German of Mary
land, is the boss of the Congressional Democratic
machine He has that in quite as good control as
Mr. Hill had his State machine. The only way
that can gine that Hill could gain anything
at Washington would be through convincing the
Democratic leaders here that he was the most
available man for 1892 l doubt whether he can
do that. l should consider him out Of the race.
at least for 1892"
Editor Edwards, of The Fargo Argus who is
in Washington on visit. says that he has dis
covered in studying the silver question from
Western point of view that the people who want
free coinage OF silver the debtors. The cred
itors are those who do not want it, ave are all
debtors out our way he said; consequently we
are all for free coinage of silver" Mr.. Edwards
saws that the Red River Valley of Dakota is the
one where people should 90 If they think of
rmigratng to that State. This is one of the rich
est wheatgrowing sections in the world Twenty
and twenty-five bushels to the acre is common
average. The people in this valley have
good climate and are protected against the fierce
billiards and storms which sometimes desoiatc
the western part Of the State