The Portland daily press., 1863-04-06

Frontier and Coast Defenses.

STATE ACTION FOR HARBoR DEFENCE. In
the Massachusetts House Of Representatives
last week bill was unanimously passed pro-
vidng for the defence oil the coast and sea-
ports OF Massachusetts. The bill authorizes
the governor and council to expend a SUM not
exceeding one million dollars Tor this purpose,
to be used in the purchase or manufacture OF
ordnance, or in building iron-clad steamers,
or in the erection Of Notifications, as the case
may require; il authorizes the towns and
ei.sss 90 raise money IUr the same purposes,
under the supervision of the State authorities,
aud provides that nothing shall be done in con-
travention of the Constitution and laws OF the
United States. The measure is in fact pro-
vision mainly for the defence of harbors like
that of Boston, against sudden attacks, TO
which they will be exposed rs soon as the
busy shipyards OF England send out more
iron-clad ships for the rebels.
1t is scarcely necessary, says the Daily Ad-
vertiser, to remind our readers that the sew
eral States have been particularly requested
by the general government, in a circular
which was published some months ago, to
relieve the latter of this part Of its duties.
The magnitude of the task already imposed
upon the general government is such, that it
may well ask for cooperation and assist
ance ofthis sort in the matter OF local defense
For the State to undertake the work is there
fore no ofiicious assumption of responsibilities
not belonging to ii, but simple compliance
with a direct inyitaton.-IB Bangor Wing Of
March oath,
The Legislature of Maine had the matter Of
the public defence much under consideration,
and at an early day Of the session, passed a
resolve for the appointment Of commission
to visit Washington to confer with the the au-
thorities of the national government on the
subject The Report Of John A. Poor, Esq,
commissioner appointed by Gov. Washburn,
was submitted to the Legislature by Gov.
Coburn on the 14th of January last, and an
extra number of copies printed. 1t is an elab-
crate document of 50 pages, presents COM
plete view of the claims of Maine on the gen.
eral govt aud its action on the subject conse-
quent on Gov. Washburn's policy of last year.
Mr.. Poor shows, that the great deficiency in
the defense of Mane is the lack of armament
for the forts, and throws the responsibility of
this on the Ordinance Bureau, the advised
that these views should be enforced by the
State of Maine through the action of the Leg
islature.
Resolves in conformity with these sugges-
tions were passed by the Legislature, authori-
zng the Governor from time to time to lay
information before the President, and to take
such measures as shall be deemed advisable, to
secure the proper armament of the forts Of
the United States, lying within this state.
As an example of the almost criminal neg
lect of the Ordnance Bureau, it is only need
full to mention the case of Fort Knox, at
Bucksport, at the narrows of the Penobscot,
where, to this day nota single gun is mounted.
acquisitions for ordnance have been made
year after year. and in the Report of January
4, 1862, Gen. Totten called for So guns of s and
10 inch caliber, but not the slightest attention
has been paid to it. Our Bangor friends must
wake up to this matter.