The Navy has maintained the spirit and high efficiency which have always
characterized that service, and has lost none of the gallantry in heroic
action which has signalized its brilliant and glorious past. The Nation
has equal pride in its early and later achievements. Its habitual
readiness for every emergency has won the confidence and admiration of
the country. The people are interested in the continued preparation and
prestige of the Navy and will justify liberal appropriations for its
maintenance and improvement. The officers have shown peculiar adaptation
for the performance of new and delicate duties which our recent war has
imposed.
It cannot be doubted that Congress will at once make necessary provision
for the armor plate for the vessels now under contract and building.
Its attention is respectfully called to the report of the Secretary
of the Navy, in which the subject is fully presented. I unite in his
recommendation that the Congress enact such special legislation as may
be necessary to enable the Department to make contracts early in the
coming year for armor of the best quality that can be obtained in this
country for the _Maine_, _Ohio_, and _Missouri_, and that the provision
of the act of March 3, 1899, limiting the price of armor to $300 per ton
be removed.
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