Goldsboro weekly argus. [volume] (Goldsboro, N.C.) 1885-1909, 1894-12-06

entire civilized world. Special atten-
ton is directed to this subject at this
time, III view of the fact that the next
of the union will meet in
Washington in 1897, and it is hoped that
timely action will be taken in the direc-
tion of perfecting preparations for that
event. The Postmaster General renews
the suggestion made in a previous re-
port hat the department organization
be increased to the extent of creating a
direct district supervision of all postal
affairs; and in this suggestion L fully con-
cur. There are now connected with the
postoffice establishment 32, 661 employees,
who are in the classified service. This
includes many who have been classified
upon the suggestion of the Postmaster
General He states that another in
crease experience at the head of the de-
partment serves only to strengthen the
conviction as to the excellent working
of the civil service law in this branch
of the public service.
L NEW NAVY n ITS NEEDS.
Attention is called to the report of
the Secretary of the Navy, which shows
very gratifying progress in the con-
struction 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
first-class battleship, Iowa, will proba-
bly, be completed during the coming
fiscal year.
The estimates for the increase of the
navy for the year ending June Both,
1896, are large, but they include prac-
tically the entire sum necessary to com
plete and equip all the new ships not
now in commission so that unless new
ships are authorized the appropriations
for the naval service for the fiscal year
ending June Both, 1897, should fall be-
low the estimates for the coming year
by at least S12, 900, 900.
The Secretary presents with much
earnestness a plea for the authorization
of three additional battleships and ten
or twelve torpedo boats. While the
unarmed vessels heretofore authorized,
including those now nearing compile
ton, will constitute a fleet, which it is
believed is sufficient for ordinary cruis-
ing purposes in time of peace, we lave
now completed, or have in process of
construction four firSt-claSS battle-shipS
and but few torpedo boats. If we are
to have a navy for warlike operations,
offensive and defensive, we certainly
ought to increase both the number
of battle-ships and torpedo boats.
The manufacture of armor requires
an expensive plant and the aggregation
of many skilled workmen. All the ar
NOR necessary to complete the vessels
building will be delivered before
the list of June next. If no new con-
tracts are given out, contractors must
disband their workmen and their plants
must lie idle. Battle-Ships authorized
at this time would not be well under
way until late in the coming fiscal year
and at least three years and a half from
the date of the contract would be re-
quired for their completion. The Sec
rotary CtatnS that not mona than Ia
per cent. of the cost of such ships need
be included in the appropriation for
the coming year | recommend that
provision be made for the constructing
of additional battle-ShipS and torpedo
boats. The Secretary recommends the
manufacture, not only of a reserve sup
ply of ordnance and ordnance mate
rial for ships of the navy, but also a
supply for the auxiliary fleet. Guns
and their ap~purtenances should be pro-
vided n kept on hand for both these
purposes. We have not to-day a single
gun that could be put upon the ships
Paris or New York, of the International
Navigation Company, or any other ship
of our reserve navy. The manufacture
of guns at the Washington Navy Yard
is proceeding satisfactorily and none of
Il new ships will be required to wait
for their guns or ordnance equipment.
L II Il Dol liHG oIoCI hdS OCtH lSSuCO
by the Secretary of the Navy, co-or-
dinating the duties of the several bu,
reaus concerned in the construction OF
ships. This order, it is believed, will
secure to a greater extent than has
heretofore been possible the harmoni-
Gus action of those several bureaus anG
make the attainment of the best re
suits more certain.
During the past fiscal year there has
Ha1r a-1
in many quarters of the world for the
presence of vessels to guard American
interests. In January last, during the
Brazilian instruction, a large fleet wa!
concentrated in the harbor of Rio de
Janeiro.
The vigorous action of Rear AID
miral Benham in protecting the per
sonal and commercial rights of our citi
Zens during the disturbed conditions
afforded results which will, it is be
lieved, have a far-reaching and whole
some influence whenever in like cir
cumstances it M become necessar,
for our naval commanders to interfer,
in behalf of our people in foreign ports
The war now in progress between
China and Japan has rendered it neces
sary or eXpedient to dispatch eight yes
sells to those waters. Both the Secre
tary of the Navy and the Secretary o
tlIt treasury recommend lnc UTdnSIe
of the work of the coast surve,
proper to the Navy Department
| heartily concur in this recommends
ton. Excluding Alaska and a yer
small area besides, all the work of mar
ping and charting our coasts has bee
completed. The photographic work
which must be lone over and over agai
by reason of the shifting and varyin
depths OF water, consequent upon tn
action of steamers and tides, has here
tofore been done under the direction {
naval officers in subordination to tn
superintendent of the coast survey
the navy SHOULD not have entire charg
hereafter of such work, especially g
the photographic Office of the Navy De
partment is now, and has been for mai
years, engaged in making efficient maj
entirely similar to those prepared b
the coast survey.
L feel it my imperative duty to ca
attention to the recommendation of tn
Secretary in regard to the personnel
the line of he navy. The StagnatiO
OF promotion in this, the vital branc
Of the service, is 50 great as to seriousl
impair it's efficiency. | consider it
h utmost Importance that the your
and ~middle-aged officers should, befol
the eve of retirement, be permitted
reach a grade emitting them to actiN
and Important duty.
The system adopted a few years az
of regulating the employment of labor
the navy yards is rigidly upheld and h;