The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-12-14
Our Two NnVies.


That part Of the report Of Secretary Gage
in which he asserts that new and better
revenue cutters are needed is timely, and
should have the attention Of congress. 1t
is a well-known fact that many Of the
craft in the revenue service are autiquated
old tubs. and that officers and men viz
tually take their lives in their hands ev-
cry time they venture into rough water
with them. The old craft have, in many
instances, cost more for repairs than they
originally cost for building, and the repair
expenses will continue to increase. Sew
eral of the cutters have cost more for re-
pairs that would be needed to replace them
with new. hrst-class, modern craft. To
keep them in service is merely TO retain
them on the hospital list, with an ever
increasing doctors bill.
The query arises, by the way, wherein
is the economy, or the business sense, of
maintaining two naval establishments?
Why should we, a peaceful nation, keep
a big navy, which heretofore has been en-
ployed chiefly for exhibition purposes at
Bar Harbor Newport and elsewhere, and
a little navy for the arduous work of
coast guarding? In short, why should the
navy and the revenue marine services be
separate? There are many reasons for
thinking the two branches of service could
be consolidated, with great benefits to each
and to the country. The revenue marine
could be employed as a sort of first course
for naval officers. Two or three years
service on the cutters would make com
nd vic
with the coast and country, and bring
them nearer to their fellow countrynen.
The consolidation would bring together
under one head our maritime defenders.
making the whole force work in concert.
1t would be easy enough to arrange so
that naval craft, whenever necessary,
should receive orders or instructions from
the treasury department More craft are
now needed in the revenue marine serv-
ice, says Secretary Gage; there are a num-
Der of vessels in the navy-thd Whining
ton, and others of her class-which could
at once be put in the coast guard service,
without waiting for new vessels to be
built
The matter of the consolidation of the
two services has been suggested and dis
cussed before, but it appears that there
is not enough backbone in congress to
defy the aristocracy of the navy and
make the change. The gold-laced fellows
of the naval establishment feel themselves
above the men of the revenue marine and
do not desire the latter to be lifted up
to a footing with them, and the repre-
sentatives of the people" in Washington
Plain common sense and business prlnci-
pies, however, should bring about the con-
solidation. Through it there could be ar
| ranged plan for still further popularizing
the naval branch of the government serv-
| ice, and inducing young Americans to
adopt the navy as a career. There is in
this matter the opportunity for some
! bright and brainy congressman to make
himself famous.
| Reverting to the matter of the old cut
| tiers, if the two services were consolidated,
the navy could find immediate and good
use for these craft. Vessels are wanted
for the naval militia of the several states.
! 1t has been said that an appropriation will
| be asked of congress for such vessels
| Now, the old cutters would do admirably
for training and practice vessels for the
naval militia, and appropriations could be
used for providing new craft for the active
service. 1t is to be hoped that Assistant
Secretary Roosevelt will use his talents
and influence to the end of consolidating
the revenue marine with the naval service,
thus giving the country a navy which
would come right home to all of the
people, and teach our commanders and
navigating officers to know better their
own ports, harbors, coast and people.