Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-12-07
Must Have War Ships,

schoones.
Must Have War Ships.
III oar government in the future Is to
have raval strength enough to command
the pence AMI be In condition to 'enforcc
the terms dictated by its sense Of right
pcdo boaf For the defense OF ports tor
pedo bo1s are perhaps more effective &C
vessels The Knowledge Of their existence
alone! will make an enemy chary about ap.
proacAins, within bombarding distance. The
powers. and they are being built abroad in
great numbers.
NO one can vanc economy more highly
than l do. and its practice is certainly
necessary at this time when the govern
nent expenditures are likely to be more
than its receipts. hut the safety Of the
above every other consideration. and it is
respectfully submitted that the programme
of authorizing the building Of at least
some vessels ut each session OF congress
ought not to be interrupted now. rec
ommend that the construction Of at least
one battleship and six torpedo boats be au.
''The authorization Of these vessels would
require the expenditure Of very little money
during the coming fiscal year. First.class
each, and not more than S36O,OoO Of this
sum. estimating the total cost at 100000
would he expended within the fiscal year
quired to perfect the plans OF battleship,
put it under contract, and provide the ma
terial, that not more than one.tenth OF the
thorlzed, would need to be appropriated for
during the coming session Of congress.
Every. vessel now authorized may be ex-
day Of July, 1896, so that unless other
ships be provided for now we shall at that
date not have single ship in process OF
American people, intent as they are on en-
forcing economy in government expendi-
lures, are willing that this great work
The secretary argues at much length In
support OF his position;
The report maintains that serious re-
suits will follow continuation OF the pres
personnel of the navy, which suffers from
long delay .lai; in promotions Says the secr re-
termed the right arm of the republic for
external defense, now suffers from two
OF the officers of the line of the navy. at u
time when mind and body ought TO be at
the best are serving, In the lower ranks
without command and the habit it begets.
Second, no method now exists whereby the
government can get the very flower Of It's
personnel into those positions where they
try, in consequence OF which dull mechnn-
ical movement takes the place Of healthy
progression led by merit and fitness: am
the reorganization Of the line OF the navy
which l think will meet the requirements
OF the service"
It is recommended that the number of
enlisted men and boys in the service be
increased by 1000.
Public interest In the naval militia is
gradually and steadily increasing. At the
date of the last annual report the number OF
men certified as mustered in and serving i'll
the naval militia OF seven states was 1;794
During the present year organizations have
been authorized by the legislatures Of Penn
syivania and Illinois. and the number OF
officers and men mustered in and serving
at the present time is 2.376.
Speaking OF labor Mt the navy yards, the
report says there Is no doubt that the sys-
tenn of employing laborcrs without refer
ence to their politics and making merit the
sole test OF their retention and advance
ment is greatly to the benefit OF the gov
eminent.
Estimates and Appropriations.
For the fiscal year ending June 80. 1880.
| the estimates for the navy and marine
corps. Including increase of the navy and
public works, amount to $27.sso,o14.o2 The
estimates for the same purposes for the
| current fiscal year amounted to S2A.4Il.-
1881. or $3414.415.S1 less than those for
| the next fiscal year. For the current fiscal
amounted to $!',7n3657. and for the next
fiscal year Trey amount to 81. 451,025 the
| difference being s.. 71l 3G3. The estimates
| for the running expenses of the navy anu
marine corps including Improvements at
navy yards and stations for the next fiscal
year. amount to ST., 43O. 3.O2. being $685.
| O47.S1 in excess Of the estimates of the cur
rent fiscal year.
The report details all the operations OF
the navy during the year, and scattered
through it is great deal Of information
upon various minor branches Of the navy
department, largely technical in character.