New-York tribune., 1874-11-30
WASHINGTON.
THE SAFE BURGLARY CASE.

THE SAFE BURGLARY CASE.
THE WHEREABOUTS OF HETTLEsHIP AND BENTON
SAID TO BE KNOWN REPORT THAT BENTON
WILL TURN STATES EvIDENCE-A SETTLED con-
vICTIoN THAT MEMBERS OF THE JURY WERE
UNDUIY INFLUENCED.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 29.-Several of the prin-
cpa memoralists sag that the whereabouts OF Nettle
ship indictment for the safe burglary conspiracy
and also OF Benton. under indictment for the burglary
are known, and that they be brought here again
when wanted 1t is said too that Netleship will turn
States evidence. Exclusive Of the abovenamed
persons, the trial at the December term will be
OF Harrington, Whitley, Geo. E. Miles, alias
Bliss talias Albert Williams, and Albert Cunz 1t is
known that Hayes and Zrruth originally under indict
ment used witnesses during the recent trial.
noe poSeQui having previously been entered concern
Ing them. There seems to be settled conviction that
some members Of the jury were unduy Influenced
either before they shut up or afterward
though most likely before. Deputy Marshal Philips
states It IS true. that he found exGov Shepherd and
Mr. welcker in the east corridor OF the City Hall build
ing Some time after dark he went to the outside door
of the east wing and found locked. Unlocking IT, he
went in the company OF r. S. Davis and they both
found Shepherd aud wecker there pacing and down
corridor. They made inquiry about the pros
poets OF tho verdict. and passed out the door
which Philips had Just unlocked and went
into the street. Phillips passed on into
the Courtroom, and found three four other persons
there in the dark, and the door leading to the central
vestibue unlocked He sdreced one Of thcIbalifs to
clear and lock the door, which was DONE Some
time after that Columbus Alexander went down to
Phlips's house and told him that Gov. Shepherd and
welcker were there; but Phillips. stated above, had
already let them out TO the street.
REPORT OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE.
AN APPEAL TO CONGRESS TO MAKE LARGE APPRo-
PRIATIoN FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF ARMS
ARMING AND EQUIPPTNG THE MIIITIA-EXPERI-
MrNTs WITH GATIING GUNs-CHANGEs In THE
ARSRNALS.
IFRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRrBUNE.]
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.-The annual report
OF Gen. Benet Chief OF Ordnance has been presented to
the Aduant General and been printed. II shows that
the OF expenditures during the last fiscal year.
including 500 900 paid TO the Amoskeag Manufacturing
Company adudgcd by the Court OF Claims to be due on
account Of breach OF contract during the war, was
Ss5592 o. Gen. Benet, after remarking that the SER
Of his department and the operations Of the differ
ent arsenas have been "a complete and effective as
could be expected with the limited appropriations un-
der control, continues as follows:
A DEMAND FOR TIE MANUFACTURE OF ARMS.
Tie adoption of the Springfield breechloading sys-
TEN by a board OF distinguished officers, convened
under Congressional enactment, and its subse-
quent establishment by law as the only system
10 be used in the manufacture OF arms by
the Ordnance Department, enable us to continue the
manufac lure upon a basis and provide an arm
with 10 superior, that will hardly be super
seded by any more perfect invention ior many
years to come. The production OF rifles and car
bnes upon the adopted plan has been pushed forward
at the National Armory with energy ana success ana
The issued TO the troops will no doubt give
great satisfaction Their issue has been greatly retarded
by Lack OF ammunition, the small appropriation not
supplying the number Of cartridges per man deemed In
dlspensable by the commanding generals OF depart
Ineuts.
last the manufacture Of arms has mad 10 be sup
picmeuted from the permanent apprOpTauoh lor arm
Ing and equlpplDg the militia" IN order 10 WORK eco
limits and enable me Departments to supply G the wants wants
be annually expended at the National Armory, not only
measure Of economy in producing the best arm ior
money bat i'll the interest of the country to
make a gradual but sure accumulation OF the best
weapons reserve In case OF war; ln again urging
this important matter upon the attention OF Congress,
am actuaied solely 10y OF public duty and an
desire TO have the nation brought TO keen
realization Of the necessities OF tue case and the gravity
OF tie subject and do not hesitate 10 express my de-
cided conviction that LIBERAL even an extravagant, ex-
peDdure at present Will prove 10 be the greatest econ
ony IN the future; Every nation that aspires TO the
dignity rstclass power mas cast aside its obsolete
muzze-oadng arms and at immense cost mas Deeh ana
Is, providing the newest ana most approved models oy
the hundreds Of thousands. The sudden eventuaites
that end war; and the starting rapdity with which
waged aud terminated, demand complete prep
aration in time OF peace with us the want OF large
standing army can only be compensated by keeping ON
hand, ready for any emergency, complete supply OF
every description OF material. Arms and anuultlon
the first Importance when an army ls TO be impro
vsed ana the country should place Its dependence at
such juncture mainly the reserve supplies stored In
is arsenss Certainly not less than 10000 OF the best
should be manufactured rapidly as the monetary
condition OF the country will permit Every years
delay fraught with DANGER and Tie experience Of
past Is Ae sures and safest guide III making prepara
uon for the future.
ARMING AND EQUIPPING THE MILITIA.
An increase in the annual appropriation for armiDg
and eQuipping the whole body of the militia is again
brought attention of Congress- with the hope OF
legislation thereon. Not only should the appro-
praton be largely increased to meet the increased
OF constantly increasing population. bat
legislative action should be taken relieve many Of the
States aud Territories from charges OF arms issued TO
than ltrtf uaal md Aypig In fair
ness have been charged This subject has been so
often referred iu previous reports, and largely
dwct upOn that extended reference TO II at this
tiuJc Is deemed unnecessary.
Congress It's made appropriation or
COOOJ for the purpose OF testing Lees breech-Oadng
arm. A small number being made at the Ma
uOnal ArmOry under the supervision OF the inventor
snd when completed Will DC sent into lie ed for trial
EXPERIMENTAL CANNON -GATIING GUNS.
Some OF the for experimental purposes author
tied by the act OF June G, 1872 nearly ready
trial. They iucude the Sutcfre breechlOadng cannon
four 10 ROdman converted into s" aud 8" rifles
and possibly Manns breechoading In the be-
lief that previous TO the meeting of Congress much
valuable information Will be reached from their trial,
any further reference TO the subject of Armament
fOrtincatons deferred for the present, and will be
made The burden OF special report hereafter.
Ihe act Oi March l513 appropriated 5000 for
perlneDts and tests OF two Gang large caDer
oi flank defense Of Orfc atoms and uDOn the recon-
nendatlOn or this Bureau Board OF Oicers of
Lieut. Col. Gilmore, Engineers, President, was
convened To make the experiments and tests. Subse-
Nuehtly another Board was appointed to determine
The humber OF Gatng required
ON Tie Isl Of July last. The whole subject brought
" The attention oil Congress 10y the Secretary
submitting report from this Office OF March
asking Tor AN appropriation OF S29260O
guns Recommended by the Board. As acuon vas