The Andrew County Republican. [volume] (Savannah, Mo.) 1871-1876, 1875-01-29
THE PRESIDENTS SPECIAL MES
AGE

The following is a copy of President Grants
special message to Congress on the subject Of
our ordnance aud fortifications:
To the Senate and HoHse of Representatives:
In my annual message of Dec. /, 1873, while in
wiling general a teuiiun to all the -ec0nIInenda-
tons made by the Secretary of War, your 81 ecIGl
attention was invited to the importance OF prepare
ton for war III the armament OF our se4cOast
defenses. Proper armament is of vastly more i'm
poitance than tOrtIfications. The latter can be
supplied very speedily for temporary purposes
when needed. The former caunut. These views
gam increased strength and pertinenc- as years
roll by. l have now again the nOuO- - cal special
attention to the condition OF the armamt III of our
Notifications and the abso. ute necessity fpc the in
mediate provision by Congress for the procurement
of heavy cannon. The large expenditure required
to supply 4 number OF guns Tor our forts Is the
strongest Argument that can be 2Girced for d
liberal annual appropriation Tor their gradual ac-
emulation. In Time OF war sucIi preparations
cannot be made. Cannon cannot be purchased IN
the open market nor manufactured at sGo,t notice
They must be the product OF years OF experienced
labor.
I herewith inclose copies OF the report of the
Chief OF Ordnance and the board OF ordnance Off
GERS on the trial OF an eight-lnch rlta converted
from a ten-lnch smooth bore, which shows very
conclusiyely an economical means Of utilizing
these useless smooth bOres and making them into
eight-lncn rifles, capable OF piercing seven inches
of iron. The l ,294 ten-inch RCdmaI guns should,
III my opinion, be SO utilized, and tie apprOpria-
ten requested by the Cuief of OfdEance OF S25O,05O
u COiliiltICc THESE COnNtEslOHS-l Is cdIIc>-l EtcO'D-
mended.
While convinced of the economy and necessity of
these conversions, the determination OF the best
and most economical method Of providing guns OF
still larger cailber should no longer be delayed.
The experience of other nations. based ON new
conditions of defense brought prominently fUrHa-G
by the introduction OF IrJu-c.ad5 into every navy
adoat, demand heavier meta and rifle gus Of
not less than twelve inchet IN CalIbrr. These
enormous masses, hurting a shot Of 7J pounds.
can alone meet mauy of the requirements OF the
national defenses. They must be provided, and
experiments on a large scale can atOue give the
data necessary for d determination OF the Ques-
ton. a suitable proving ground, wi;E all the ia
cllltles and cOnvenlencles referred 20 ty the Chief
Of Ordnance, with a liberal annual appropriation.
Is all undouhted necessity. The gum now ready
for trial cannot be experimental with without
funds, aud the estimate OF S25O,OOD for the purpose
Is deemed reasonable, and is strongly recon-
mended. Ihe constant appeals for legislation on
the armament of fOrtiica;iOns" ought no longer
to be dlsregardcd. if Congress desires il peace &c
prepare the important material without which the
future I+ust inevitably lead to disaster The sub
jet is submitted with the hope that the Considera-
ton Il deserves may he given it al the present ses-
sion. L. ;. GRANT.