The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-12-02

=
Total .........2,695
The two new states 10 make returns are
New Jersey and Georgia. Louisiana and
other states are also organized. In a short
time the whole coast and the northera and
great interior waterways will be included.
4 very energetic organization now exists
IN the interior on one Of our great rivers.
Active steps are being taken ny the de-
partment toward securing uniformity in
the methods OF organiZa tlon and the char
acter of the duty performed. in order that
the militia and the regular navy may CO.
operate effectively and hefPfully in any
scheme Of national defense The organi-
3auons are made up more of young men
of aquatic tastes than from the seafaring
class. Many OF the militia are yacht and
sailing boat owners. aCtuatca by the most
commendahle patriotism. and many more
would be drawn into the work IL the navy
cutter pattern were furnished. 80 as TO
make IL stHl more apparent that the coun-
try expected and intended them TO be Of
service in ease of need. Under authority
conferred ny law. the department has been
able To loan few scrviceable boats, bat a
boat of this character is hardly more Valu-
able 10 the militia than 20 the regular
army. Every hattalioA. with proper help
and direction from the department. can
acquire Information AS 10 its contiguous
coast that would be invaluable In ease of
invasion. Under the act empowering and
authorizing the department to loan ser
viceable ships to the naval militia for pur-
poses OF instruction and drill. during the
past year the Dale has been loaned to
MARYLAND. the Portsmouth TO New York,
the Wyandotte to Connecticut and the
Minnesota 20 Massachusetts. Owing TO
the unseaworthy condition Of the Swalara
II was impossible for the state Of Calitor-
mia to utilize this vessel. An expenditure
g.s s.s4 4 a f1sa al aFs.sfs se
make her safe and habitable and the de-
partment did not consideC this advisable
although in the large cities an old vessel
is great factor in the success OF the ma
val organization. affording. as II does,
nucleus of and an incentive TO enlist
ment on the Pacific coast no vessels are
available. and on the Atlantic the supply
is al present practically exhausted, so that
il is impossible 10 meet the wants in this
respect OF the organizations.
THE naval militia Is slowly but surely,
through natural evolutionary process. find-
ing its best field as factor in national
defense. and as an auxiliary to the regular
army It's main element OF strength lies
primarily in a fine personnel, marked hy
great patriotism. zeal, enthusiasm and
high degree of intelligence. IL would be
hard In any country 10 ind inner body ot
physically and mentally well developed
young men than those organizations. 1t
IS no exaggeration 10 say that they are
among the very best OF our citizens"
Tho secretary recommends, regarding In
ventons patented by naval officers, that
inasmuch as the officers owe their eduea-
ton and facilities for research 20 the gov
ernment. devices patented by them should
become the property of the government, IT
desired. upon the payment Of such com
pensation as the secretary OF the navy
deems Just The recommendation OF last
year Is renewed that the work OF the
coast and geodet!c survey be transferred,
a part TO the photographic office Of the
navy denartment and the rest 10 the geo
logical survey OF the interior department,
the reasons given then being restated.
The estimated expenses for the year 1896
are given as follows, For running eX-
penses. $l7. .6e2. .7O4.es. Increase OF navy, Si3.-
25e. .8qa. This IS about 81. $4,000 more than
tho appropriation. For 1897 the estimates
are. For running expenses, tl9.G,2, %;
increase OF navy. sass. .3S The statement
for the fiscal year ending june 20. 1885, is
given as follows: Appropriations. eXclu-
sfve of public works. slA212.s0l67. drawn
To June 20. 81. 2.l4s.27s.22; drawn to October
Il. I.f33, ,927 ~, balances in the hands 81
disbursing officers. H.7S.lq: available oai-
ance November /. $9i2.@ss B.
In conclusion. the secretary says: An
inspectlon or the tables herein given, SHOW
ing the relative strength OF EaVies, VIII
furnish. il is believed all the argument
now needed for the continuation OF the
huilding programme heretofore indicate1
by the action Of congress. We arc not IN
want Of ordinary uaarmored cruisers or
aunboats but we are lamentably deficient
in torpedo boats. and We certainly need
more battieships. An inspection OF me
building programmes Of other nations VIII
demonstrate that the lessons taught az
yslu and Welhaiwel have tended 70 con-
0rrn the belief OF naval experts throughout
ths world N the efficacy Of these two
classes Of vessels. ! respectfully recon-
rneud the construction Of two hattleships
and at least twelve torpedo boats.