Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1897-12-04

be docks and repair shops in
e plstea a d vist as posbe
and industrial centres. Upon careful con-
sideration of the whole subject matter, the
department recommends that action be taken
by initial appropriations-at total ultimate
cost for the several improvements recon-
mended less than that of one additional
first-class battleship, which is now OF less
Importance than additional dOcks--to start
at once the following works: That dock
be constructed at Boston. adapted to
the docking of the largest ocean going
vessels. As the New England coast is
our first exposure 10 European attack,
there should certainly be such dock upon
It, and this site is the ono which meets all
the requisites as essential or desirable, and
which would be Il source Of considerable
sevenue to the government from its COM
mercial us,; that at Portsmouth, N. H., in
view OF the fact that its otherwise well
equipped yard has no dock at all, except q
worn ont floating wooden dock, built in
1851, so far worthless that its lifting capacity
Is only 1900 tons. dock should be built
commensurate with the use of the yard; that
New York timber dock No. 2, which is now
deteriorating. be fitted with concrete en-
trance. and widenci sufficiently to accom-
modate our largest battleships; that the
present timber dock at League island, COM
pleted only six years ago, which Is OF suffi-
naval vessels of the largest size, be wdened
and provided with n concrete entrance, so as
to meet the requirements OF a first-class
dock: that at Norfolk the short dock be
heightened $50 feet, which will enable it to
Accommodate all except the very largest
ships; that ut Port Royal a proper wharf
be constructed adjoining the dock; that at
Algicrs. New Orleans, IA steel floating dock,
with necessary wharf and mOorings, be con-
structed; that ut Mare island the new first
class dock be provided rs soon as the depth
OF water. which is now only 20 feet, shall be
increased. as it ought to be, to the proper
extent. ~.
sour remoteness from foreign powers
says Secretary Long in conclusion, 1.-The
genius of our Institutions and the devotion
OF our people to education, commerce
ana industry, rather than to any policy
that involves military entanglements,
make war to be thought OF only rs last re-
sort in defence Of our rights. and our militia
ry and naval establishments rs police force
for the preservation OF order and never for
aggression. While all this Is, therefore, an
earnest Of peace as the normal condition OF
our national life. there is no sstion OF the
necessity, the wisdom and tho economy to
the same end OF an effective navy. In view OF
the vast extent of our coast and the POSSIBLE
ity OF attack from the sea upon our great
cities, where the concentration OF population
and property is enormous. Hitherto for
more Than decade The increase of tho navy
has very properly been in the line OF Few
ships, and wisely so, as this has hitherto
been the vital need. In the opinion OF the
department the timo has now come when
that increase should DO on adjunctory lines
In order to bring our naval facilities up to
the same line OF advance. As hereto
fore indicated, the principal need today
Is that Of sufficient docks, OF which
there is deplorable lack; OF adequate
supplies Of tho munitions of war, which
should never be at the hand-to-mouth
yapSs 81 tSs smand mon r them
and Of an enlarged corps OF officers and
men to do the work. Additions to our fleet
may be hereafter necessary to bring 1t In
| case Of emergency to an extent common
surate with the growing necessities OF the
country, especially in view OF the develop
ment Of Alaska, which Is continent in
itself, and of the possible annexation OF
1t is mistake not to recognize that our
naval power has more than doubled within
the last few years; that the case Of an emer-
| gency beyond our present resources ID the
very rare case; that until 1t comes ships
will be gradually taken out OF commission
| and put into reserve In order to reduce rum
ming expenses, and that due regard Is neces-
lures to the national revenues. The depart
ment, therefore, recommends that the au-
thorization Of new ships by the coming Con-
gress be limited to one battleship for the
Pacific coast, whele. after the five now under
construction are completed, there will be
only two, while on the Atlantic there will be
seven; and also few torpedo boats and
torpedo boat destroyers, both OF which are
comparatively OF little cost, and more OF
which are desirable In order to bring this
swift, mobile and handily effective arm OF
tho service up to It's place in the general
scheme for coast defence.
According to the report OF the paymaster-
general, the total cost OF maintaining the
navy during the FISCAL year ending June 80,
| 1896. exclusive OF It's increase and OF per-
manent improvements at yards aud stations
specially appropriated for, was els. 494 ,s62.
os, and for the fiscal year ending June 90,