The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-12-21
A Nico, Tight Little Fleet.

The public has gained within two years a
new conception of the maritime resources
OF the United States Government. This
pleasing extension of our knowledge Is due
solely to the persistent and patriotic inves
LEGATIONS Of the Hon. GROVER CLEVELAND.
The credit belongs to him alone.
The very few predecessors OF Mr.. CLEvE-
AND who have achieved celebrity as junket-
ing Presidents have, as a rule, confined their
attentions to one ship. The present Chief
Magistrate is not 30 narrow-minded. He is
bound to exhibit to the country the extent
and efficiency Of our minor navy. He has
discovered, inspected, and practically tested
vessel after vessel whereof the great ma
jority of his fellow citizens had previously
suspected not even the existence.
First came the Violet. That beautiful
but o'earinous little specimen Of naval
architecture had long evaded public observa-
ton, like ( c bashful and shrinking flower
from which she takes her name. Mr..
CLEVELAND brought out the Violet. When
he had sufficiently tested her selgoing
qualities and ability to perform difficult
voyages under heavy ballast, he turned his
attention to the Maple. The Maple
was n surprise and a Joy to the American
people. She Immediately took her .place
alongside OF the Violet In the confidence and
esteem Of the nation. Next came the now
famous John Rodgers, with her powerful
derrick. The dodgers was subjected to the
same sorl 4 trial, according to the methods
patiently and personally applied by Mr..
CLEVELAND in the cases OF the Violet and
the Maple. Like her sister tenders, this or
nam. mt and pride OF the lighthouse service
stood the test t~riumphantly. The names of
the Violet, the Maple. and the John Rodgers
are as well known to-day us those Of the
more pretentious cruisers Philadelphia,
Baltimore, and New York.
This, we insist, is due to Mr.. CLEVELAND,
and to him alone. He has devoted his per-
sonal energies to the inspection and trial of
the new feet, assisted by a most competent
Board, including at different times experts
like Secretary GRESHAM and Secretary CAR
LIsLk, Fighting BoD EVANS, and the Demi-
john, some being on duty at one time and
Some at another. but always Fighting Boz
and the Demijohn.
There was general surprise and disap-
pointment the other day when a despatch
from Washington informed the public that
the President had started upon another of
his periodical ducking trips. but this time
by Pullman car instead Of lighthouse
tender True, Fighting ROB and the Demi-
john went along as usual, but Bon is as
much out of place in a buffet car as any OF
Mr.. PuLLMAN's colored porters would be
aboard the John Rodgers in a gale on Point
Judith, 1t looked as il Mr.. ~CLEvELAND's
purpose in this last journey was purely
selfish. lie was neglocting the feet.
That hasty supposition did the President
injustice, A Mt " candidate for fame, name
ly, the W ~istaria, WAS awaiting him at the
wharf at Georgetown, S. c., with steam up
for lie trial. The President, together with
Fighting BOB and the Demijohn n a Sc
lect party Of experts, was transferred from
the Pullman car directly to the deck and
cabin OF the Wistaria. She attached her
tendrils respectfully to the person of the
Chisf Magistrate and took him aboard.
Upon her slippery deck the President
Stepped with a tender foot; light A. on air
The lovely. lordly creature noAtsd on"
We shall know before long whether the
Wistaria Is up TO the work whether she Is
worthy TO be classed with the Violet, the
Maple, and the John Rodgers.