The daily union., 1856-12-10

for general use but the piece for field artillery and
for positions requiring artillery where gun of that weight
cannot be carried, to the tweyepounder mountain
howitzer.
The experiments gun metal which have been carried
by the Ordnance Department for years past and
the results Of which have recently been published have
done much TO improve the quality of cannon and the
work contains valuable information the subject Of
which treats. IL is quoted and voraby noticed Ia
late English work the physical conditions Involved in
the construction of artillery and causes of the destrue-
ton Of cannon in service One of the authors remarks
referring 10 ordnance reports is that 1.-THE United
States ordnance has really done TO advance expert
mentally the of manufacturing than all the Eu
ropean services together These experiments have been
directed TO the determination Of the ultimate cohesion OF
metal and did not take into consideration the Injury
sustained by from the continued repetition OF the
ordinary strains of service charges They should be
sued further for investigation in regard TO the extension
prior rupture by less strains than requisite to pro-
duce it, The information already acquired on this subject
would be much valuable to the government If we had
national foundry where ii would be applied to practical
Further investigation might also be made with
facility and accuracy at such establishment and
new the recommendation, heretofore repeatedly made for
the proper legislation to authorize it's construction.
The operations at the national armoriea have been
scted the completion of models for small the
alterations OF old models to long range rifle arms and to
the preparation requisite for the exclusive manufacture of
the adopted model of which many of tho parts have
been fabricated This model which is common in its prn-
cple all small is ribed ara (such as is
monty called the Mimic rife) with the Improvement of q
lock after plan selpriming when used with the
Maynard primer and well adapted with the per-
of intlock to red arms, with The stiapring lock- has
been effected the limited extent which the avaa
bic for the purpose would allow. The results of trials with
these leave doubt of the proprey OF the measure
which heretofore recommended, OF altsrng all the old
model of the United States includ ng d,tribu-
ted States and Territories by converting them rfed
with the percussion self priming lock- TO make
tn conform TO the model The arguments then ad
vanced in favor OF granting the authority and for
executing this have lost of their force by
subsequent reflection and experience The prop.iety Of
using only the test and effective arms Is obvious
With population accustomed the use of arms familiar
with and competent 10 judge Of neir merits defects the
moral effect Of feeling themselves inferior in their
ment and equipment would be disastrous. The only point
which remains for consideration is whether the improve
mens can be applied to present as to give to
them the desired efficiency The importance Of the im-
proveents and the susceptibility OF receive
been proved by actual trial is PROPOSED to hasten
inconsderately to the adoption of sChe.ne of question
able advantage but of which has undergone various
and repeated in and other and the
merits Of which have been practically established. New
models Of small arms With tbs improvements before
toned, have been completed and the alteration of
OF the old model, to apply to them all the modern
improvements has been commenced and has progressed
far enough to show concusively that they be made
equal in efficiency to those of the model There is in
the United States arsenas and in possession of the States
upwards of half million of these arms which have
between six and millions Of dollars
In their present condition they very inferior TO the
improved arms and in order be made property efficient
and seryiceable they must be altered 1t will be
hered that for many years past the has stead
y and at great cost been hng er7enas with OF
superior quality according to any then known standards
Recent improvements have rendered these relatively
inferior but fortunately need lose the fruit of
previous laboTs In short time with adequate
may apply TO present stock of these recent Inn
Proyements and thus rapidly and satisfactorily give to
them the greatest known military efficiency The propriety
Of the measure being demonstrated its execution becomes
a question of time Shall 1t be done rapidly
practicable nger through the long period of time
which will be required to do the work with the ordinary
appropriations The rapid accomplishment OF this work
has the advantage Of being economical for ii Is OBJ
vious that the number Of altered in given time
is increased the pro Is diminished TO whGh is
to be added another and important consideration
that of being prepared at the earliest period TO meet
emergency.
Reports Of experiments by the Ordnance Department
with the improved small arms have been printed and dis
tbuted for the of the army and militia to the lat
ter in the proportion Of their dstribuve share Of arms
fIed by law. The diffusion among the volunteer and
militia troops of the information therein contained
spectng the improved will enable them TO learn
their powers and understand theoretically their usa in
anticipation Of having such weapons furnished TO them.
Bat, to give them practical knowledge o. improved
small arms they should be placed in their hands for pur
poses Of instruction in time of peace cad to this end
the recommendation heretofore made for appro
priaton which will enable e government alter the small
heretofore issuc the States for the Of the
militia tG make them conform the improved model
which has been adopted for the United States service
And s also recommended that the attention OF Congress
be called the necessity OF providing by law better sys
tenn Of liability for furnished by the general
government TO the States
From the failure Of inventors and patentes to deliver
the breech loading which ordered for trial IL
has besn possible yet make the practical tests which
necessary ascertain the best breechoadng ride
or whether any of those which, preliminary examnA-
ton presumed be useful will be found after trial in
the field worthy Of being adopted into the military
vice.
The District Of Columbia armory building will
be COMPLETED exceeding the appropriation,
which IL will be remembered did not include furniture
for the building the improvement OF the adjacent
grounds.
Sites have been selected for the Rsenals in TEXAS
New Mexico and Washington Territory for which ap-
propTaons made at the last session Of Congress
and have been taken to valid stiles there
TO- required by law before commencing the needful
buildings
A greater concentration Of the operations Of the Ord
Department far respecs arsenals Of construc
ton desirable To conns such works to four principal
arsenas-one the North and at the South in the
Atlantic States third in the West the Mississippi
at pont convenient for the transportation Of s products
70 that river and fourth the Pacific coaswill
the advantage OF greater uniformity and economy in
constructing and at the time afford practical instruc
ton the officers and enlist 10 all the various duties
Of this branch Of the military service This may be done
without reducing number Of srsenas OF deposit or in
rfering with the establishment Of others at desirable
positions the purpose being merely TO restrict construction
the four principal arsenas oeaed above stated or
the present arsenas certainly, lhe Wasrvet Arsenal
in New York. and another probably, the North Carolina
arsenal Fay eteville may be used arsepals Of
sucton. These with the arseua just begun at Bencia,
California may by proper additions their present build
ing workshops machinery and other for storage
and fabrication be made three Of the constructing arsenas
The public land pertaining 10 the arsenal at ST. Louis Ia
contracted be suitable for this for which In
all other respects would we'll The remaining
arsenal Of construction should therefore be built on suit
able site be selected for the purpose To effect this
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