The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-10-31
TO PROMOTE CRowNINsHIELD.
Vigorous Protest Against Secretary
Longs Presumed Plan.
Washington Post.

Washington Post.
1t is easy to believe that the President
and the secretary are anxious TO have at
the head Of the bureau OF navigation a
clean and upright gentleman, a gallant
and accomplished officer, like Henry c.
Taylor. That would be a combination OF
professional ability and personal honor
which the bureau sadly needs at its head
and has needed for many years. Admiral
Taylor stands in the front rank OF varied
and profound attainment and experience.
IL Secretary Long wished for such a man
as his lieutenant five years ago. how much
more should he desire him to-day, now that
time and circumstance have so illustrated
the necessity!
But cannot the government secure Ad-
miral Taylor for the bureau OF navigation
at some price less e~xtravagant and scam
dalous than the promotion and reward or
CrO~wninshield? Surely the government can
put an end TO rottenness and demoraliza-
ton in the department without this notable
encouragement of their source. Because
Crowninshield now stands convicted or UNI
fitness, Of ignOble missue OF authority, or
assent to. If not procurement of. conspiracy
and persecution, must the President shower
him with favor and indulgence before pro-
ceeding to a correction Of the infamy :
Command OF the European squadron is In
times of peace the most desirable, the most
luxurious, the most charming billet IN the
gift of the government. 1t means ease, en-
joyment, every circumstance OF pleasure.
the very minimum of labor and RESPONSE
bility. 1t Is an honorable distinction usually
awarded in recognition and required or
faithful, brilliant service. And this 10
Crowninshield2
By ali means replace him i'm the bureau
of navigation. BY all means substitute
Admiral Taylor. under whose auspices the
navy will regain it's lost morale and re-
cover the thrice forfeited respect OF the
American people. Blu this proposed fe-
ward. this projected exaltstion OF Crown
inshield-surely the department must be
mad to think OF it! Admiral Taylor viii
achieve a transformation. no doubt. lie
will set up new and noble standards. he
will disfnfect dark corners and deodorize
and ventilate the whole establishment.
Rut ali this can be accomplished without
canonizing Crowninshield and so II should
he settled. Indeed, we nigh safely say
that not only wisdom and propriety. but
common prudence also, point TO another
and a very different course. In our opin-
ion. nothing can prevent a congressional
Investigation Of the conduct of the Navy
Department during the past three or four
wears. The revelations OF the Schley in
ouiry have been such as TO justify Con-
gress in refusing 10 MAKE appropriations
for its maintenance under existing au-
spices. But even though we be mistaken
in this-even should the President succeed
in placating the suspicion and discomfort
that now p~revail-the first indication OF a
purpose TO reward ana at the same time
TO withdraw from public observation the
head and front Of all the scandalOus Of
Tending would provoke a popular outburst
of denunciation beyond the power OF the
government 10 ignore.
Ouos Deus vult perdere. prius dementat.
Has the Navy Department offered itself
as a fresh Illustration Of this ancient aph-
| Orfcm?