The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-12-11

tor by the service which t.sy have accepted
do not think there IL any reason Tor dis
couragement or for any t'T'liny back from the
policy OF this legislation. indeed good be-
ginning has been made, and as the subject Is
Is further considered and understood by capt
talists and shipping people, new lines Will oe
ready to meet future proposals, and We may
data from the passage OF this law the revival OF
American shipping interests and the recovery
of fair share of the carrying trade OF the
world We were receiving for foreign pos age
nearly Jwo millions of dollars under the old
system and the outlay for ocean mail service
mated by the postmaster general that, If all the
auire sH7, $Si Tor this year % addition 70 the
already in the estimates and that for the next
fiscal year, ending June ~; lss3' there edr
would probably be needed about soooooo
our New War Vessels.
The report of the secretary of the navy
sells In Commission. The Newark, Concord.
Bennington and Miantonomoh have been ade-
ed during the year and an aggregate of some
thing more than 1000 tons. Twenty-four
war ships OF all classes are now under con
struction in the navy yards and private shops
valid wa s a the Completion of the more
important vessels will yet require about
years Time Some of the vessels now under
construction. it is believed, will be triumphs OF
naval engineering. When it Is recollected
that the work of building modern navy was
only initiated in the year 1883, that our naval
without experience In the construction OF large
iron or steel ships, that our engine shops were
unfamiliar with great marine engines, ana
that the manufactur OF steel forglngs for
guns and plates was almost foreign industry
the progress that has been made is not only
highly satisfactory, but furnishes the assur-
ance that the United States will before long
at ain in the construction of such vessels,
with their engines and ornaments, the Same
pre-eminence which it attained when the best
instrument of ocean commerce was the clipper
ship and the most impressive exhibit OF naval
power the old wooden three-decker man-of-
war.
Gun Shop at Washington.
The officers of the navy and the proprietors
and engineers Of our great private shops have
responded with wonderful intelligence and pro-
fessional zeal to- the confidence expressed by
congress to its liberal Legislation. We have now
at Washington gun shop organized and con
Quoted by naval officers, that in its system,
economy and product, is unexcelled Expert
ments with armor plate have been conducted
1t is believed that plate OF higher resisting
power than any in use has been found and that
the tests have demonstrated that cheaper
methods OF manufacture than those heretofore
thought necessary can be used. .
commend to your favorable consideration
the recommendations of the secretary, who
has, am sure, given to them the most CON
scientious study. There should be no hesita-
ton in promptly completing navy, of the most
modern type, large enough TO enable this coun-
try to display its flag in all seas for the protec-
ton Of its citizens and its extending commerce.
The world needs no assurance of the peaceful
purposes Of the United States but we shall
probably be in the future more largely com
petitor in the commerce Of the world and it is
| essential TO the dignity of this nation and to
| that peaceful influence which it should exercise
| on this hemisphere chat its navy should be
adequate, both upon he shores OF the Atlantic