Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1875-01-28
The Presidents Message on Coast De.
lenses.

WASHINGTON, Jan. ~.
The President sent the following mes
sage to Congress to-day:
To the Senate and House of Representatives:
In my annual message of Dec 1, 1873,
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 arming
of our sea-coast defenses. Proper armament is
of vastly more Importance than fortifications.
The latter can be supplied very speedily for
temporary purposes when needed The former
cannot. These views gain increased strength
and pertlnence as the years roll by. | have
now again the honor to call special attention
TO the condition of the armament of our for
tifcations and the absolute necessity for i'm
mediate provision by Congress for the pro-
curement of heavy cannon.
The large expenditures required to supply
the number of guns for our forts is the
strongest argument that can be adduced for a
liberal annual appropriation for their gradual
accumulation. In time of war such prepare
tons 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.
| herewith inclose copie. 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 ten-inch smooth
bore, which shows very conclusiyely an eco
nomical means of utilizing the useless
smooth bores and making them into eight
inch rifles, capable OF piercing seven inches
Of iron.
The l,294 ten-inch Rodman guns should, in
my opinion, be SO utilized, and the appropri-
alton requested by the Chief of Ordnance OF
$4,000 TO commence these conversions is
earnestly recommended.
While convinced OF the economy and ne
cCSsity of these conversions, the determine
tion of the best aud most economi-
cal method OF providing guns of still
larger ealiber 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 ailoat, demands heavier metal and
rifle guns OF not less than twelve
inches in caliher, These enormous masses?
hurting shot of 200 pounds, can alone
meet many OF the requirements OF
the national defenses They must be pro-
vided. and experiments on large scale can
alone give the data necessary for the deter
minatiou Of the question, A'suitable proving
ground, with all the facilities and conyen.
fences referred 10 by the Chief Of Ordnance
with liberal annual appropriation, is an I'M
doubted necessity.
The guns ready for trial cannot he tested
without funds, and the estimate of $4,000
for the purpose is deemed reasonable. and i
strongly recommended. The constant an.
peals TOR legislation on armament Of forth
cations ought no longer 10 be disregarded. if
Congress desires IN peace 70 prepare impor.
tani material the want Of which in future wars
must inevitably lead to disaster This sub.
iegt Is submitted with the hope that the
consideration II deserves may be given i al
the present session
tSi-nc,il ~ L. : GRANT '.
EXEcrrNE MANSION. Jan. p, lS75.