The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-10
About Arsenals.

About Arsenals.
The people Of the west cherish the idea
that the entire Island of Rock Island is
ultimately to be occupied for government
uses, and that the Grand Arsenal of the
United States if not of the world is to be
here. But the present Administration
takes another view of the matter, and rec
ommeuds ''the building up of grand ar
senal arsenal on the Atlantic seaboard. y
The secretary of war, in his annual report,
Just made has the following on the sub
ject:
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT..
At the differen. arsenals, the operations
during the year have been chiefly the cree
ton Of public buildings at the Benicia and
and Rock Island arsenals, under specific
appropriations the care and preservation
of the different arsenals, and Of the ord
nance stores thereat; the manufacture o.
small arms. ammunition, and other ord
nance stores and supplies; the preparation
of experimental cannon, aud the supply
ing the regular army,t the marine corps, and
the whole body of the militia with arms
ammuuiti and materials.
The adoption of the Springfield breech-
loading system by board Of officers con
vened under congressional enactment, and
its subsequent establishment by law as the
only system to be used In the manufacture
of arms, enables the department to con
tnue the manufacture upon secure basis.
aud provide an arm with no superior, that
may probably not be superseded by any
more perfect invention for many years to
come.
The production Of rifles and carbines
upon the adopted plan has been pushed
forward at the national armory with ener-
gy and success, and the new arms issued
to the troops will no doubt give great sat
isfactIon Their issue has been retarded
by the lack of ammunition, the small APP
preparation not supplying the number of
cartridges per man deemed indispensa-
Bile by the commanding generals of de-
partments.
That the troops might be trained TIC
more accurate firing, orders have been is
sued by the department authorizing the
annual issue of 100 ball cartridges per man,
being ten per month for each man, This
certainly does not appear to be too much,
but when calculation is made of the num-
Der and the cost, it is found that this limi-
ted issue will require 100000 cartridges,
which would absorb the whole of the APP
preparation Of $4,000 for the manufacture
of metallic ammunition for the fiscal year.
1t is evident, therefore, that larger APP
preparation for this purpose should be
made.
The appropriation of $l00, 900 made by
congress at its last session for the mauu-
facture Of arms, had t. be supplemented
from the permanent appropriation for
''arming and equipping the militia" in or
her to work economically, to keep the cost
OF the arms within proper limits, aud en-
able the department to supply the wants
of the army and militia. Not less than
half a million ofdollars should be annually
expended at the national armory, not only
as measure of economy in producing the
best arm for the least money. but in the
interest of the country to make a gradual
but sure accumulation OF the best weapon
as a reserve in case of war. Every nation
that aspires to the dignity of first class
power has cast aside its obsolete muzzle-
loading arms, and at immense cost has
been and is providing the newest and most
approved models by hundreds OF thou.
sands. The sudden occurrences that end
in war, and the startling rapidly with
which wars are waged and terminated, de
mand complete preparation in time of
peace. With us the want of a large stand
ing arm. 1; can only be compensated by keep
ing on hand, ready for any emergency, a
complete supply o; every description of
war material. Arms aud ammunition are
of the first Importance when an army is to
be improvised, and the country should
place its dependence at such juncture on
the reserve supplies stored in its arsenals.
Certainly not less than half million of the
best arms should be manufactured as rap.
idly as the monetary condition of the coun.
try will permit The experience of the
past Is the surest and safest guide liz max
ing preparations for the future.
For several years past the secretary has
directed attenuon 10 the large number Of
arsenals east OF the Mississippi river, seat.
tered through the Country, the consequent
lack of concentration OF work In the inter. |
est of economy and perfection Of product. |
and the undoubted necessity of dispasipg !
of several Of these national establishment.
and the building up vi grand arsenal ON
the Atlantic seaboard. Ia order TO facili-
tate intelligent action on the subject, by the
collection OF all necessary data for the in
formation oil the department and of con
gress, board Of ordnance officers was ap-
pointed some mouths since.to make a com.
prehensivo and exhaustive study of the
subject, and also Of the question Of a bro.
per location tor powder depot, and of an
experimental ground for the testing Of
heavy ordnance. After several mouths of
patient aud careful investigation the board |
has made its report, which is here |
with transmitted Itstrougly recommends !
the retention Of the Springfield armory |
ana the Frankfort arsenal, and the estab- !
hssmea. Of grand arsenal in the vicinity
OF New York city for manufacturing pur.