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��Hon. William E. Chandler
��prescribing a reduction in the number of officers, tlie elimination of druulv- ards, great strictness and impartiality' in discipline, the discontinuance of extensive repairs of old wooden ships, the diminution of uav^^-yard expen- ses, and the beginning of the con- struction of a new navy of modern steel ships and guns according to the l^lans of a skilful naval advisory board. The first of such vessels, the cruisers 'Chicago,' 'Boston,' and 'Atlanta,' and a steel despatch-boat 'Dolphin.' with their armaments, were designed in this country and built in American workshops. The gun foundry board referred to above was originated, and its reports were printed with that of the depart- ment for 1884. A special message of 26 March, 1884, urged continued progress in the reconstruction of the navy, the granting of authority for at least three additional steel cruisers and four gun-boats, and the finishing of the four double-turreted monitors. Two cruisers and two gun-boats were authorized by the act of 3 March, 1885.
"An Arctic expedition, consist- ing of the steam whalers ' Thetis ' and ' Bear,' together with the ship 'Alert,' given by the British admi- ralty, was fitted out and desjiatched under the command of Commander Winfield Scott Schley for the relief of Lieut. A. W. Greely, of the U. S. army, who with his party had been engaged since 1881 in scientific ex- ploration at Lady Franklin bay, in Grinnell Land ; and that ofHcer and a few other survivors were rescued at Cape Sabine, 22 June, 1884. On recommendation of the president, an act of congress was passed directing
��the return of the 'Alert' to the Eng- lish government."
It will be interesting to those who wish to know more of Mr. Chandler's advent into politics, to read the fol- lowing from the pen of Hon. Jacob H. Ela :
"In June, 1859, he was appointed by Gov. Ichabod Goodwin law re- porter of the New Hampshire supreme court, and published five volumes of the reports. He entered the service of the Republican party with great earnestness at its beginning, in 1856, and gave much of his time, in the office of the state committee, to assist the movement during its early cam- paigns, becoming secretary first, and afterwards chairman in 1864 and 1865. The election of 1863 took place during the darkest period of the war, following the battle of Fred- ericksburg, when gloom and almost despair overshadowed every town in the state. It was evident to all that a draft was impending, and it seemed as though the abilitv of the towns and the state had been exhausted, and no more money could be raised or volunteers be found to enlist. All those opposed to the war were united and active in the Democratic party, and were aided by those Republicans who were alarmed by the burden of the debt, and by those who would compromise the safety of the Union sooner than expose themselves to be drafted to save .it. It was the most important political campaign ever conducted in the state, and brought the executive ability of Mr. Chandler prominently into view, and led to his future a(ivancement. * * *
"President Lincoln watched this campaign more closely, probably,
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