Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-13
J. r. Tanner.

commanded by Secretary Herbert. IL is
contended. despite the prejudice 20 the
contrary that vessels can be constructed
IN the government yards Just az well as,
and more economically, than by contract
at the private shlp-yards. There is
movement on foot now 70 counteract this
eon-riracy OF outsiders against the gov
.rry-ient navy-vards. which II succe ssful,
may result in having another hattleshlp
built at the Norfolk yard
IL is ridiculous 20 say that work cannot
De done as Cheaply, or that the govern
ment constructors are not as capable
and efficient as those IN private snip
wards. The fact is. that the best con-
structors in the private yards are those
who left the naval service purely because
they were offered much larger salaries
than they were getting from the govern
ment. All the vessels built in the private
yards are under the supervision OF gov
eminent constructors. and there is no
reason why the entire shlp-buiidirg force
should no. be IN the governments yards,
unless IL is 20 benefit the big contractors
who have already shared nearly one nun
drel millions o. Uncle SANS money.
THE TEXAS.
The forthcoming report on the construc-
tlon ol the Texas. it .s said. viii demon
strate that the work in the Norfolk yard
on that vesse. was tlgrCu b. complete,
and IN strict conformity with the plans
and Specifications. AS 10 the machinery
a. the vessel which was built 40 the
Richmond Locomotive and Machine
Works. II Is pronounced OF a high or
der. and thoroughly satisfactory 10 the
department An inquiry there as TO
whether the recent sinking Of the Texas
at the Brooklyn navy-yard was at all
attributable 70 any fault OF the Rich
mond establishment resulted IN obtain
Ing the facts. which are of record az the
department II was officially reported
that the accident 20 the Texas result
ing in her sinking. was not due 10 any
fault Of the Richmond Locomotive and
Machlne-W orks in the construction or
the erection OF the machinery. Further
IL was stated that the jection-valve."
which Is the part Of the machinery as
ISOLATED with the accident" was made
from a drawing furnished by the Navy
Department which drawing Is CODY Of
one received by the department from The
Naval Construction and Armament Com.
pany. Limited. arrow-in-Fugness. Eng
Land. The original on file az the depart
ment bears the stamp OF the above
named company. the receiying-stamp OF
the Judge-A9vocate-Gen office. OF
date December -. ISIS and that OF the
Bureau Of Steam Engineering. December
l. lss3 The only other records IN the
department are the reports OF the boards
that conducted the dock-trial OF the ma
chinery and the contract-trial az the
Norfolk navy-yard. and these Indicate
that the injection-valve was built in ac-
cordance with the drawings and specif-
cations one OF these reports of the
board on dock-trial dated May L. lNf
says: "As far as could be ascertsincI.
the machinery. including engines. boilers.
and appurtenances. are strong. weli-bIut.
and IN conformity with the contract
drawings and specifications. and the au-
thoriZed changes therein 20
4 report from the board on contract
trial dated January g. 1885 says: I'VE
find that the machinery. including en-
slnos. boilers. appurtenances and spare
PARTS. is complete In con, rm.ty with
the contract drawings and specifications"
AL % reports pay "a hign tribute %
the naer'nery Of the Texas. and predict
for tf fe. a speef not eQuallet by
that Ter vessel IN the navy.
n. -CNs TO BE HELD UP.
Tho ry indication now that the
silver stLalors viii hold up" all OF the
nominations Of Bol,ocrats made recently.
and perhaps all other nominations made
By the President during the recess In
this way. they propo,e 70 retaliaie on the
President for his Offensive partisanry"
during the campaign, as well a. ihat o.
those be wishes 20 reward. There Is
hardly a doubt that conference has
b.en held by the silver Democrats on this
subject. aud that a plan Of action has
been partly agree1 upon They 40
satisfied with the prospect Of success In
sight. as they feel assured Of the AID OF
the Republicans In the Senate. since the
iewe. OF Cleyeiard's nominees there are