The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1875-01-21

all the recommendations made by the Sec
retary Of War, your special attention wa
invited to the importance otan appropria
tion for the war armament Of our sea
coast defenses. Proper armament is vast
ly OF more Importance than Notifications
The latter can be supplied very speedily
for temporary purposes when needed
The former cannot. These views gain in
creased strength and pertinenee as the
years roll by, now again have the hon
or to call special attention to the cOndi'
tion OF the armament Of our Notifications
and the absolute necessity for the imme'
diate provision by Congress for the pro
curement Of heavy cannon. The large ex'
penditurcs required to supply the num-
ber OF guns for our forts is the strongest
argument that can be adduced for q
liberal annual appropriation for their
gradual accumulation, In time Of war
such preparations can not be made,
Cannon can not be purchased in open
market, nor manufactured at short mo-
tice, They must be the product OF years
Of experienced labor,
herewith enclose copies Of the reports
Of the Chief Of Ordnance and the Board Of
Ordnance Officers onthe trial OF an eight
inch rifle, converted from 4 ten.inch
smooth.bore, which shows very conclu-
sivcly that this is an economical means
Of utilizing these useless smooth'bores,
and making them into eight.inch rifles
capable OF piercing seven inches OF iron.
The 1904 tcn.inCh ROdman guns should,
in my opinion, be so utilized, and the ap.
preparation requested by the Chief OF
Ordnance Of S250.0O0 to commence these
conversions is earnestly recommended.
While | am thoroughly convinced Of the
economy and necessity Of these cOnVer.
sions, the determination Of the best and
most economical method Of providing
guns Of still larger Callibre should no
longer DO delayed. The experience OF
other nations, based on new conditions Of
defense brought prominently forward by
the Introduction OF irOnclads into every
navy alloat, demands heavier metal and
rifle guns OF not less than twelve inches
In Calibre. These enormous masses,
hurling q shot OF seven hundred pounds,
can alone meet many OF the requirements
Of tho national deiGnses. They must bc
provided, and experiments on large
scale can alone give the data necrs-
sary for determination OF the ques-
tion, the providing Of suitable grounds,
with NIL the facilities and cOnvenienccs
referred to by the Chief Of Ordinance
with liberal annuNl appropriation ia an
undoubted necessity, The guns now
ready for trial cannot be experimental
with without funds, and an estimate OF
S250,000 for the purpose il deemed reat'
enable, and Is strongly recommended,
The constant appeals for legislation on the
armament Of Notifications ought no longer
to be disregarded II Congress desires IN
peace to prepare important material
without which the future must inevitably
lead to disaster. This subject Is submit.
ted with the hope that the consideration
It deserves may be given Il at the present
session, us. GRANT.
EfccNire Mansion, Jaaudry2O, 1875.
wHERR IS IT2
The Presidents special message to-day,
repeating the recommendation In his All.
nual message relating to the armament Of
the Notifications, and In time OF peace
prepare for war, has naturally raised the
question whether there was any proba.
biltty Of war with foreign power,
and whether the President had any
knowledge leading him to such apprehen.
sions. Some ot-tfie members could see no
ground for fear, whilo others thought that
possibly Somc serious difficulty might
arise between the United States and Spain,
and It was therefore proper that our ports
In the GulfshOuld DO prepared ngainst an
assault from Spanish vessels in the event
Of hostilitieS growing out Of the Cuban
nupstinn.