Year: 1868

The Proposed Board of Survey for the Navy.


We are glad to see that at last Congress is
arriving at something sensible touching the
construction of our navy. We have often
wondered if there ever could be an end to the
fashion adopted in the navy Of arriving at
results blindly, if at all. We did good deal
in the war because Americans cannot help
doing wonders If the opportunity is offered
and tools placed in their hands. But we
might have accomplished greater things il
affairs had been properly directed. ;.


Just twenty-one years ago there was in the
navy vessel which was called by the Mexi-
cans the American Devil. Full rugged, well
armed, fast and an excellent sea boat, the
Princeton was the war vessel OF the world.
The genius OF one man, unhampered by
jealQusies or wornout traditions and guided
by the practical knowledge Of other men
whose every interest was in the success, gave
us q start that placed us ten years in advance
Of the world. Then followed in time the
Susquehanna, Powhatan, Wabash, Mime
sofa, Iroquois, Wyoming, Lancaster and
Hartford, and vessels OF their class,
and afterwards came the food Of nondescripts
which we now undertake to dignity with the
name of men-of-war. The first class were, 50 to
speak, homogeneous craft, with some appear
anoe Of a principle behind the system. The
last class are utterly devoid Of all homoge-
neity, and are as if dozen heads had been at
work each to nullify the best labors of tho
others, and there seems to have been no con-
trolling influence to harmonize the efforts of
the designers Of the hulls and engines Of our
ships. Mr.. Welles and Mr.. Fox have done
pretty well, better, perhaps, than others could
have done but there was an obstacle to CON-
plete success they could not surmount for want
of power. They could not bring harmony in
councils when diverse influences were at work.
Now, had there been body Of men with the
necessary power, thoroughly cognizant of the
indispensable requirements of man-ofwar
such as that which, in the face Of a national
prejudice, decided upon the concentrated armor
system of tho monitors, whose success is now
SO glorious, or even the system developed in
the New Ironsides, the most effective broadside
iron-clad in the world, what might we not have
done with the navy? When one interest pre-
dominated or overrode the other that body
could have speedily enforced an equi-
librium OF the Ordnance Department
they would demand homogeneous batteries
Of constructors sea-going ships Of fine model
and capacity of the engineers, the smallest
possible space, greatest economy, greatest
speed and greatest endurance of the man
ayers of yards and docks, facilities for building
and repairs of medicine and surgery, hygiene
and of provisions and clothing, proper food
and clothing; and under such plan what
splendid results might have been attained
During the war we could not stop to perfect
all these changes, but at present it is of first
necessity to profit by our valuable experience
before we have time to forget it. Congress
seems to take this view of the subject and is
inclined to give us Board of Survey. The
bill introduced in tho Senate by Senator Nye
seems to cover the ground, and is wisely con-
ceved. 1t provides that the President shall
appoint, by and with the advice of The Senate,
three line officers on the active list Of the
navy, one of whom shall be the admiral or
vice admiral and the other two rear admrals,
who shall be Board of Survey of the Navy
Under the direction OF the Secretary Of the
Navy tho Board shall exercise such SUPER
vision over the various bureaus OF
the Navy Department as now established
as shall be necessary for securing
uniformity in the various classes of
vessels, their construction, armament, equip
ment, and in repairing and refthng them.
The Board shall be responsible 10 the Secretary
g., uc
and for all matters relative to the procurement
Of naval supplies aad materials, and for the
construction, &C., of vessels OF war. The
Board must make estimates for appropriations
hereafter TO be presented to Congress for
naval purposes, and tho money shall in no
way be expended except on the approval OF
the Board. In fact, nothing can be done rcla!-
ing to naval construction or repairs from
which the Board withholds It's approval Con-
gress is starting in the right direction now and
should follow out its design in its general do
tails.


We need first class navy to be prepared
for any eventuaity that may arise. With our
present fleet we are in no condition 10 sustain
our claim to take rank AZ a naval power and
the earlier we set about correcting the terrible
failures OF the past seven years in naval
construction the sooner we shall be in posi-
ton to make good our boast Of rivalling the
great naval Powers on the high seas. This
well considered project of a Naval Board OF
Survey should be at once pressed on to COM
pletion.


Royal Pay for Negro LEGISLATORS.


Tho npOrn RECOMMENDATION or