The Washington times., 1895-06-23

can ships manned by Americans. IL there
Il any pussibie way OF getting them. The
English are far ahead or lis in this respect
They enlist probably 10000 men a year
in their navy aud 1t would be a hard matter
To find man aboard OF an English naval
vessel who is not thoroughly loyal to the
English flag"
The percentage OF foreigners in the mer-
chant marine is greater. Tradition 1s
the very essence Of naval morale.
'If our flag is defended" says an ad-
vocate Of DIR. Winners plan, "by hirelings,
howeyer brave. who are ignorant of the
fame OF Barry, of Paul Jones, OF Lawrence,
Ducator Stewart, Farragut, Porter, Dali
ghren and all that host of heroes, defeat will
not mean to them national disgrace and
public diShonor"
There are numerous reasons why the act
of June 20, 1874, should be applied to
Washington. The local school could be
under the immediate eye of the Navy De-
partment. With its encouragement and
under the fostering cage or Congress,
Washington may be the cradle of many
patriotic Ameri can seamen. The pc
culiar composition Of Wasbington's popu-
lation affords an exceptionally good class
of boys. AS at present constituted,
neither the navy nor the merchant marine
affords great inducement for an ambi-
tioIIs or adventurously brave character
The inferior position and the paltry pay
of sailor seems n poor compensation for
a life work. If, however, our public school
boys understand that faithful work on
and graduation from a school ship would
fit them to be masters mates on merchant
vessels or for warrant Officers in the
navy. hundreds would gladly embrace the
opportunity.
A large proportion would adopt sea-
manship for a livelihood, and the bal
ance would form the nucleus of native
patriotic sailors According to Admiral
Porter, our battieships and cruisers need
just such material to be war strength
in times of danger.
Ne reason exists why such schools should
not be established at every port on the
seaboard and the great lakes, but there
are special and obvious reasons for their
existence here.
great point in favor of this movement
is again urged by DR.. WItuer. Washing
ton can conduct a school ship under such
pow erful and favorable auspices as to
prove model for all others, thus assur-
ing an imitation on the part of every
patriotic school board OF proper location.
There is no Improvement so important,
no development so necessary in the en-
tire public educational structure.
There are now a dozen or more battle
ships, cruisers and gunboats lately launched
or about to receive their complement OF
men and Armament II is fitting that
American youth should be more largely
interested in the fact that the United
States has a staunch navy, and that our
merchant marine bids fair TO rival the
best that any country boasts.
Objection may be made that sailing YES
sells have been superseded. Old sea dogs
maintain that the only real school or
seamanship is in tie old-style vessel. There
an apprentice can not only be taught his
ordinary coIrses, but he would receive
an education which would make his ser
vices valuable and intelligent. There is
no doubt that if Congress would allow the
use of such a vessel the authorities beFe
would have the very pick of our working
classes seeBing admission into our naval
and marine service.
DR.. Wilmer intends in the near future
to resume his work again and 10 urge
decided step on tue part of the school
authorities.