Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 42, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 25 June 1885 — About The Dolphin. [ARTICLE]

About The Dolphin.

The Republican is now under its own vine and fig tree. Since General Grant’s removal to Mt. McGregor, last week, his condition has much improved, and there is a possibility of complete recovery. The process of suppressng|polig- " ainy among “the Mormons is making sure progress though slow, and it is only a question of time, a few years at most, before that disgraceful relic of barbarism will will be only a matter as history.

Buddensiek, the villainous contractor, of New York, who built the tumble down tenements 3vhicli lately fell of their own weight, and killed one person and injured several others, lias just been Sentenced to ten years imprisonment and a fine of SSOO. It is a righteous sentence. Elsewhere will be found a notice calling a meeting of the stockholders of the Jasper County Agricultural Society, on July 11 th, for the purpose of considering propositions for building a new Floral Hall, a new-amphitheater, and a new fence around tlie grounds. These improvements are greatly needed, and it is much to be hoped that the'stockholders wil ? accede to the general demaud of the patrons of the fair and make the improvements.

About the only argument in favor of the demoralizing ami disgraceful l doctrine in politics “To the victors belong tlie spoils,” is the statement that without the incentive of the offices to struggle for, American politics would be come spiritless, and the people would take no interest in political matters. The statement is entirely false, and the example of English politics is proof positive of that fact. There the civil offices are filled by a rational system, and ~ their incumbents are not affected by changes in the political character ot the administration. But the elections are as interesting r.ud as warmly contested as any in this country. The experience of England not only shows the utter absurdity of the theory thatnobody in this country would care tor politics, or turn out to vote at the elections, it the fate of every post-master and pension agent and department clerk in the public service, did not depend upon the result of the election; but it shows shows moreover, that i£ it were not for the machinations of the spoils hunters in American politics, the better and more unselfish elements of our population would Wield a vastly greater influence in public affairs than they now do. Mrs. Helen M. Gfouger has published the following card signed with her name, in the Lafayette papers: “To the Public: In-as-rmicli as John S. Williams, Editor of the Bunday Times, has published a full retraction of all charges made against me and .jay home, and has also given to proper parties, JVshall pot henceforth be rofered to directly or indirectly, in his paper, provided I will withdraw my offer of |t°o, to any person *ho might whip him I do . hereby Recall my offer as long as. his & «taranee is good. & • * .

Iq view of the very uncandid and unjust course? of the Democratic administration, in pursuance of their scheme to discredit the new cruiser the Dolphin, and thus to bring discredit upon the Republican administration which contracted for it; the following remarks in regard to the vessel, from that high and impartial authority the Scientific American, are specially applicable. y

The fourth official trial of this new ship took place June 11, when by order of the Navy Department the vessel was sent out on the Jersey coast, near New York, for a six hours’ continuous trial at sea. The requisition was that she should show herself capable ot a speed of twelve knots an hour during the above period. The ship considerably exceeded this requirement, as she ran over fourteen knots per hour, and plight have been driven to fifteemor sixteen knots. On several of the preliminary trials of this vessel, when the machinery was, new and stiff, the progress of the ship had to be stopped by reason of the heating of journals, a common occurrejc.e with new steamers. These incidents were made the bash of certain letters and orders published over the name of the youthful Secretary of the Navy concerning the Dolphin; and some of the newspapers busied themselves by casting ridicule upon the ship and the contractor. Mr. John Roach, who executed the work.

It was made to appear that tiie Dolphin was little better than a worthless hulk: whereas in reality Bhe is a noble specimen of naval architecture, fully equal in workmanship and speed to any boat of l:er class now afloat. The Dolphin was built in conformity with the drawings and specifications furnished by the Navy department, and so far as can be ascertained, Mr. Roach, the builder, has faithfully carried out iffi the stipulations of his contract. The Dolphin is one of three ships of war for which the Department ottered competitive plans for construction, and the bids of Mr. Roach were found to be nearly one million dollars less than -those of any other builders. He has executed his work thus far in the most -superior manner, and is entitled to the highest credit. IVe congratulate him upon the success Of the Dolphin, and trust the other ships will show equally good work.