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Show THE NKW NAVY. The new government cruiser Philadelphia Phila-delphia on Tuesday was given a test of speed. Slio behaved' admirably, and made over twenty kuots an hour. This speed plaees her among the fastest war vessels. The United States navy at last is becoming a credit to the country. The revival of the navy was inaugurated inaugur-ated by Secretary Whitney under the Cleveland administration, and Mr. Whitney is entitled to great credit for the good work he accomplished during his term of ollice. Tho republicans have kept up tho improvements, but not at such a rate as tho people would like to sec. Secretary Tracy, however, how-ever, is not to. blame for this.. The fault lies with congress, which does not sceni inclined to make au appropriation largo enough to carry out the suggestion of Secretary Tracy. The appropriation will amount to about $15,223,000, and will bo expended in tho construction of three battle ships, an armored cruiser, a torpedo cruiser aud a torpedo boat. This amount is far short of what was expected by Secretary Tracy, who recommended re-commended the construction of eight heavy battle ships, live torpedo boats, two armored harbor defense boats and three gunboats. Why congress hesitates about building up our navy more rapidly rap-idly is something tho people do not comprehend. There is plenty of money for such purpose, and there is a popular popu-lar demand that our navy be. made equal to any in the world. |