The New York herald., 1874-11-03
THE NATIONAL ARMAMENT.

Report Of General Benet, Chief Of tho
Ordnance Department, to tho Secrs-
tary Of War-An cumul alton OF Inn.
proved Weapons and Ammunition
Recon- me ndcd in Case or War-Moro
Liberal Appropriations Asked.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2, 1874.
The fiscal resources and disbursements OF the
Ordnance Department during the fiscal year end
ing 3Otn June last $57l4, s63. General Benet,
the chief, says In his annual report. just sub
mltted to the Secretary OF War:-"Ihe adoption
of the Springfield breech-loading syatem by
board Of distinguished onicers convened under
Congressional enactment, and It's subsequent es-
tabshment by law as the only system to be used
In the manufacture OF arms by the Ordnance De-
partment enables US to continue the manufacture
upon secure basis and to provide an arm with
superior, that will hardly be superseded by any
more perfect invention Tor many years to come.
The production OF rifles and carblnes upon the
adopted plan has been pushed forward at the
National Armory with energy ana success, ana
the new arms issued to the troops viii no DOUBT
give great satisfaction. Their issue has been
greatly retarded by the lack or ammunition, the
small appropriation not supplying the number OF
cartridges per man deemed indispensable by the
Commanding General OF the department
1.-THE appropriation OF 900 made by Congress
at its last session for the manufacture OF arms has
had to be supplemented from the permanent ap-
preparation Tor 'arming and equipping the milf
TIA in order to WORK economically, keep the cost
or arms within proper limits and ENABLE the de.
partment to supply the wants OF the army and
militia Not less than nalf million dollars should
be annually expended at the national armory, nOs
only as . measure OF economy IN producing the
best arm for the least money but, IN the interest
Of the country, to MAKE gradual but sure Q accu-
OF war. In again urging this Important matter
upon the attention OF Congress am actuated
earnest desire to have the nation brought
to keen realization OF the necessities OF the
Ese ana sae g 81 V ape
that o liberal even an extravagant expenditure
at present, Will prove to be the greatest economy
In the luture. Every nation that asplres 10 the
dignity OF first class power has cast aside tts
obsolete muzzle-loading arms and at an immense
most approved models by the hundreds OF thou
sands The sudden eventualities that end in war,
waged and terminated demand complete prepare
ton IN time OF peace. With US the want OF large
standing army can only be compensated by keep
ing on hand, ready Tor any emergency, q complete
supply OF every description OF war material. Arms
and ammunition are OF the irst Importance
when an army is TO be imprOvlsed, aud the
country should place Its dependence at such q
jnncture mainly on the reserve supplies stored in
of the best arms should be manufactured as
rapidly as the monetary condition or the country
danger, and the experience OF the past is the
surest and safest guide In making preparation for
IAN increase in the annual appropriation for
arming ana equpDing the whole body Of
militia ID again brought to the attention OF Con-
gress with hope OF some legislation thereon.
Not only should the appropriation be largely in
creased to meet the Increased wants OF our con-
stanty increasing population, but some legls-
latlve action should be taken to relieve many
OF the States and Territories from charges Tor
arms issued to Them during the rebellion. and
which in fairness should not have been 80 charged.
This subject has been SO often referred to IN pre-
vious reports and SO largely dwelt upon that o
more extended reference to IL at this time Is
deemed Unnecessary
General Benet says o Board composed OF Majors
Crispin, Treadwel and Baylor, or the Ordnance
department was authorized, and after several
months OF patient and careful investigation has
made its report. The Board strongly recommends
the retention OF the Springfield armory and the
Frankfort arsenal, and the establishment or q
grand arsenal in the vicinity O New York Tor man
uactprnG purposes; retaining also the IndianapO-
lie arsenal, Indiana; kennebec arsenal, Maine;
Fort Monroe arsenal Virginia, ana the Augusta
Arsenal, Georgia. as places Tor storage ana repair.
They recommend the sale OF the Allegheny, Co
lumDus, Detroit, Plkesvile, Watervliet, Watertown
and Washington arsenals, the sales to be made as
to be devoted to the purchase Of q site ana the
erection OF q building for q grand arsenal. He
says:-'I heartily concur in these recommended
tions and invoke favorable consideration on the
part OF the secretary OF War and OF Congress.
This seemingly large reduction by sale wil when
accomplished, leave thirteen arsenalS and the
arm0ry, q number amply sufficient, when liber-
ally sustained to meet all the demands OF the ma
ton ana a this be erected from the sales OF
dollar ont OF the ma ti0nal treasury The estab-
lsnment or q powder depot and an experimental
ground for heavy cannon, Is also discussed by the
Board ana Its recommendations approved.