Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-04

many VINO nave posu css.ss W. e.,
staces that another years experience %
the head of the department serves only
TO strengthen the conviction AZ to the
exceiIent working of the civil-servtce law
in this branch Of the public service.
THE NAVY.
Attention 70 called to the report Of the
Secretary OF ting Navy. which shows very
gratifying progreAs in the construction OF
ships for our new navy. All the vessels
now building. including the three torpedo
boats authorized at the last session OF
Congress excepting the flrst-class battle
during the coming fiscal year.
The estimates Tor the increase OF the
navy for the year ending June 30. 1896. are
entire sum neSesiafy 10 compiled and
eouib all the new ships not now 10 com.
mission. SO that unless nsY' ships are
authorized. tho approprfatiohs for the
june 80. 1877. should fall below the esti-
mates for the coMipe year by at least
The Secretary present with much earn
estness plea for u authorization OF
three additional battle alps and ten or
twelve torpedo-hoats. While the un-
armored vessels heretofore authorized, in
Guiding those now neerlag completion. will
constitute a fleet which, II Is believed.
is sufficient for ordinary cruising purposes
In time Of peace. We have now completed
and In process OF construction but four
frst-ciass battleships and but few tor
pedo-boats. II we are to have a navy for
warlike operations, off-shore and de-
fensive, we ought to increase both the
number of batteships and torpedo boats.
The manufacture OF armor requires ex-
pensive plants, and the aggregation Of
many skilled workmen. All the armor
necessary to complete the vessels now
building will be delivered before the 1st
OF June next. II no new contracts are
given out, contractors must disband their
workmen. and their plants must lie idle.
Battleshps authorized at this time
would not be we'll under way until late
In the coming fiscal year, and at least
three years and half from the date OF
contract would be required for their COM
pletion..
The Secretary states that not more
than Is per cent. Of the cost OF such ships
need be included in the appropriations for
the coming year.
recommend that provision be made
for the construction of additional battle
ships and torpedo-boats.
The Secretary recommends the manu-
facture. not only OF reserve supply OF
ordnance material for ships OF the navy
but also supply for the auxiliary fleet.
Guns and their appurtenances should be
provided and kept on hand for both these
purposes. We have not to-day a single
gun that could be put upon the ship
Paris or the ship New York. of the In
ternational Navigation Company or any
other ship OF our reserve navy.
The manufacture of guns at the WASH
ington navy-yard IS proceeding satlsfac-
torily, and none of our new ships will be
required to wait for their guns or ord
nance-equipment.
An important order has been Issued by
I the Secretary of the Navy co-ordinatlng
the duties Of the several bureaus con-
cerned in the construction Of ships. This
order, 1t Is believed, will secure to n
greater extent than has heretofore been
possible the harmonious action OF these
several bureaus. and make the attain
ment OF the best results more certain
IN FOREIGN WATERS.
During the past fiscal year there has
been an unusual and pressing demand
in many quarters OF the world for the
presence OF vessels to guard American
interests. In January last. durog the
Brazilian instruction, large fleet was
concentrated In the harbor OF Rio de
Janeiro. The vigorous action of Rear
Admiral Benham in protecting the per-
sonal and commercial rights OF our cti-
gems during the disturbed conditions there
afforded results which will, It is believed.
have a far-reachiny and wholesome in
fluence whenever, in like circumstances,
1t may become necessary for our naval
commanders 10 interfere in behalf Of our
people in foreign ports.
The war now in progress between China
and Japan has rendered 1t necessary or
expedient TO dispatch eight vessels to
those waters
Both the Secretary of the Navy and the
Secretary of the Treasury recommend
the transfer Of the work of the Coast
Survey proper 10 the Navy Department.
/ heartily concur In this recommendation.
Excluding Alaska and a. very small area
besides. all the work OF mapping and
changing our coasts has been completed. |
The photographic work. which must be |
done over and over again, by reason or |
the shifting and varying depths Of water. |
consequent upon the action Of streams |
and tides. has heretofore been done under |
the direction Of naval officers In subordi- |
nation to the superintendent OF the Coast |
Survey. There seems to be no good reason |
why the navy should not have entire |
charge Of such work, especially as the |
partment Is now and has been for many |
years engaged in making efficient maps |
entirely similar to those prepared by the |
Coast Survey.
feel 1t my imperative duty to call at !
tention to the recommendation OF the |
Secretary in regard to the personnel of !
the line OF the navy. The stagnation of |
promotion in this, the vital branch OF the |
service. is so great as TO seriously i'm |
tzakr n
utmost Importance that the young and |
middle-aged officers should. before the |
eve OF retirement. be permitted to reach |
a grade emitting them to active and i'm |
portant duty.
The system adopted n few years ago |
regulating the employment of labor at |
the navy-yards is rigdly upheld and has |
fully demonstrated its usefulness and ex- |
pediency. II is within the domain of civil |
service reform, inasmuch as workmen are |
employed through board Of labor select |
ed at each navy-yard, and are given work |
without reference to politics and in the |
order OF their application, preference |
however being given to army and navy |
veterans and those having former navy |
yard experience.
Amendments suggested by experience |
have been made TO the rules regulating |
the system. Through its operation the |
WOrk at our NaFN-ytlfF NHS moan E"f'lN |
improved In efficiency, and the opportunity !
to work has been honestly and fairly |
awarded to willing and competent appli- |
cants.
1t Is hoped that II this system continues |
to be strictly adhered to. there will soon |
be as natural consequence such an |
equalization Of party benefit as will re- |
move all temptation to relax or abandon |
It.
INTERIOR DEPARTMENT.
The report Of the Secretary Of the Inte- |
rior exhibits the situation Of the numerous |
and interesting branches of the public |
service connected with his department. | |
commend this report and the valuable re- |
concentrations of the Secretary TO the |
careful attention of the Congress.
The public land disposed of during the |
year amounted to 10. 400 l0O.T acres, includ- |
ing 2s,G605 Of Indian lands. II is esti- |
mated that the public domain still remain
ing amounts to a little more than 10000 |
coo acres. excluding. however. about $780, !
10000 acres in Alaska, as well as military !
reservations and railroad and other Sc /
lections of lands yet undisposed OF. The |
fntaI cash receiDts from sale OF lands |