Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1875-01-29
Coast Defenses-Spec1al Message OF the
President.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 20.
THE President sent the following mes
sage to Congress to-day:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
In my annual message of Dec. l, 1878.
while inviting general attention to all recon-
mendations made by the Secretary OF War,
your special attention was invited TO The I'M
portance of preparation for war in the armlng
of our sea coast defenses. Proper armamentls
of vastly more importance than fortihcations.
The latter can be supplied very speedily for
temporary purposes when needed. Inc FORMER
cannot These views gain increased strengtn
and pertinence as the years roll Dy. nave
now again the honor to call specla! attenuon
to the condition of the armament OF our 1ortl-
fications and the absolute necessity for imme-
diate provision by Congress for the procure
ment of heavy cannon.
The large expenditures required to supply
the number of guns for our forts is the strong
est argument that can be adduced for lib
eral annual appropriation for their gradual ac-
cumulation. In time of war such prepara-
tions cannot be made; cannon cannot be pur-
chased in open market, nor manufactured at
short notice. They must be the product OF
years of experienced labor .ef
/ herewith inclose copies of the reports OF
the Chief of Ordnance and of the Board OF
Ordnance Officers on the trial of the eight
inch rifle, converted from the inch smooth
DOre, WHICH SHOWS very CoHCluolfOAJ OH W.
nomical means of utilizing the useless smooth
bores and making them into eight-inch rifles.
capable of piercing seven inches OF iron.
The 1894 ten-inch Rodman guns should, in
my opinion, be SO utilized, and the approprl..
alton requested by the Chief of Ordnance OF
$250,0O0 to commence these conversions is
earnestly recommended.
While convinced of the economy and neces-
sity of these conversions, the determl-
nation of the best ana most economi-
cal method of providing guns of still
larger caliber should no longer be delayed.
The experience of other nations, based on
the new conditions of defense, brought prom
inently by the introduction of iron-clads into
every navy afloat demands heavier metal
and rifle guns of not less than twelve
inches in caliber. These enormous masses,
hurling a shot of 700 pounds, can alone
meet many of the requirements of the
national defenses. They must be provided
and experiments on a large scale can
alone give the data necessary for the deter
mination of the question. Asuitable proving
fences referred to by the Chief of Ordnance,
with liberal annual appropriation, is an un-
doubted necessity. r
The guns ready for trial cannot be tested
without funds, and the estimate OF $2500OO
for the purpose is deemed reasonable, and is
strongly recommended. The constant ap-
peals for legislation on armament OF fortifi-
cations" ought no longer to be disregarded,
if.Congress desires in peace to prepare I'M
portant material the want of which in future
wars must inevitably lead to disaster This
subject is submitted with the hope that the
consideration itdeserves may be given 1t at
the present session.
(SigneO U. s. GRANT.
Executive MANSION, Jan. 20, 1875.