Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-03-11
AMERICAN WARSHIPS

AMERICAN WARSHIPS
IN CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPMENT
THEY LEAD THE WORLD.
In spite Of Free rraAs DsaeerAss snA oss-
rotary wAitney The Gated staAss Aaa
Built Her Own Navy-JoAA keasA,s ffa-
~npA.
Those who were fortunate enough 10
see the naval parade Of the late Column
bian festivities in New York and mp the
North river witnessed one Of the grand
est features Of the whole celebration and
striking exhibition Of what has been
accomplished by American shipbuilders
in spite Of long and determined oppo-
sition Of the free traders in the Demo-
cratic party. Proudly leading the feet
was one Of the ships built by John
Roach. the Chicago, whose white and
graceful hull has been seen in nearly
every foreign port since she was COM
mssioned. supported on her left by the
Miantonomoh and followed by the Dol
phin on the right and Atlanta on the
extreme left, escorting the visiting war
ships Of France. Italy and Spain, and ii
was apparent to even the most skeptical
that our ships fairly carried OF the palm.
That noble pageant recalled the sad
days from 1884 to 1883, when John
Roach was declared a defaulter in his
contract with the United States govern
ment for the building Of these same
ships, now held 30 stanch and perfect,
and as true and skilled man Ms ever
laid u ships keel went down to his grave
victim of bigoted prejudice. But in
his case it proves true that
Ever the right comes uppernost.
And ever Is justice done.
John Roach had his triumph on that
naval parade day, when his noble ship
fifty led the fleet. The Chicago. Dolphin,
Atlanta and Boston, which for model.
faithfulness Of construction and adapia-
bility are among the best ships that float
in all the navies of the world. will long
prove his eminent ability and integrity.
The continual DINING in our ears those
years when he was So unjustly treated
was that the United States could not
build or equip armored ships, that we had
no shipyards or builders capable of con
structing either hulls or engines. no de-
signers capable of planning such ships
nor plant to furnish armor plating or
guns. but that we must 20 abroad for all
these. W. c. Whitney, then secretary Of
the navy, purchased from English de-
signers the plans for two cruisers In pref
erence TO the plans Of American naval de
signers and constructors. For fine il
certainly looked rs If we must submit to
having our warships designed in Eng
land. II not built there, but with the de-
feat Of the Democratic party in 1sSs and
the advent Of Republican president and
congress this unpatriotic and foolish
course was changed. and since March,
1889, we have not only demonstrated that
we can design. build and arm and equip
warships, but that We can do better than
the best abroad. With such evidences rs
have been submitted to the American
people in the past three years, is there
reason to doubt that the future will
greatly outstrip the great achievements
of the past? Our navy and our merchant
marine should equal any in the world.
This is one Of the most important ques.
lions. when we consider the opposition
Of the Democrats of the Fiftysfrst con-
gress to the passage of the postal tonnage
bill, a course in which Democratic con
gressmen went against the views and
wishes Of able business men of their own
party. How Postmaster General Villas
opposed in every way possible the carry
ing out Of the then existing provisions Of
law in regard to carrying trsnsocean
mails cannot be easily forgotten.
Who will question but that if tho re-
quisite encouragement is extended to our
opening American steamship lines in
few years we shall witness such revival
Of our American commercial marine as
shall revolutionize our entire carrying
trade? Instead Of foreign ships trans.
porting the bulk Of our imports and eX-
ports of 3o,000,0 900 tons yearly, Ameri-
can built and owned ships should be our
carriers.
Now that the 1nman line has been
granted the right to transfer the City IF
New York and City of Paris to the Amer.
lean flag under conditions requiring them
to build at least three similar ships il
American shipyards, it will not be out
side Of the limits to expect that within a
very few years they will have four or
five similar ships running to Europe
built in the United States. as swift and
as stable as any then afioat and capable
Of being used when necessary as auxiliary
cruisers.
1t is also matter Of congratulatioI
that other steamship lines are opening
up communication with South America
and elsewhere, and il the people will
only awake to the importance Of sup
porting their merchant marine we shall
soon witness o great change in this re
spect. especially in those places where
European competition is the keenest. IL
1885 England paid for transportation Of
foreign mails $500, 600: the same year
France paid $4,5OO,000, Germany and
Italy $4,000 600 each, Austria, Belgium
and Spain 100000 each for similar
service. The United States paid in that
same year for service only S326, 1856. o.
which e27s, III went to foreign conpa
MES and less than $4,000 to American
lines. While these foreign nations are
endeavoring to establish their CONNER
cial supremacy by such means with
heavily strained revenues, it does moi
seem strange thst the United States
with revenues the wonder Of the world
should stand alone in its seeming indif
ference to the extension Of its commerce
It. ]. o.