Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-01-21
w WASHINGTON.
Special Message by the President
Our Sea Coast Defences.

Washington January 20. The President sent
the following message to Congress to-day:
To the Senate and House of Representatives -
In my annual message of December LIST, 1873,
while inviting general attention to all the recon-
mendations made by the Secretary of War, your
special attention was invited to the importance of
preparation for war, in the armament Of our sea-
coast defcnces.
Proper armament is of vastly more importance
than Notifications. The latter be supplied
very speedily for temporary purposes when need
ed; the former cannot. These views gain in
creased strength and peytinencc as the years roll
by.
| have now the honor to again call special atten-
ton TO the condition of the armament of our fort
iiicaions and the absolute necessity for immediate
provision by Congress for the procurement OF
heavy cannon. The large expenditures required
to supply he number of guns for our forts is the
strongest argument that IAN be adduced for lib
cral annual appropriation for their gradual accu-
mutation. In time of war such preparations can
not be made Cannon cannot be purchased in the
open market and manufactured at short notice
They must be the product of years of experienced
labor
herewith encles copies of report of the Chief
of Ordinance and of board of ordinance officers
on the trial of an Sinch rifle, converted from To-
inch smooth-bore which shows very conclusiyely
an economical means of utilizing the useless
smooth-bores and making them into S-inch rifles,
capable of piercing seven inches Of iron.
The ,29f l0-inch Rodman guns, should in my
opinion, be so utilized, and the appropriation re-
quested by the Chief of Ordnance Of $4,000 to
commerce these conversions, is earnestly recon-
mended While convinced OF the economy and
necessity of these conversions, the determination
of the best and most economical method of pro-
viding guns of still larger cabre should no longer
be delayed The experience of other nations
based on the new conditions of defence, brought
prominently forward by the introduction of iron
clads into every navy afioat, demands heavier
oil and wifi M 1asl han inch Ga nj
calibre. These enormous masses, hurting a shot
Of seven hundred pounds, can alone meet many
of the requirements of the Naval dcfences
They must be provided and experiments on a
large scale can alone give the data necessary for
the determination Of the question. A suitable
proving ground with all the facilities of conven-
fences referred to by the Chief of Ordnance, with
liberal annual al Appropriation, is an undoubted
necessity. The guns now ready for trial cannot
he experimental with without funds, and the esti-
mate of $780, 900 for the purpose is deemed rea-
sonable and is strongly recommended. The con-
slant appeals for legislation on the armament of
Notifications, ought no longer to be disrcg arded
If Congress desires peace we must prepare the I'M
portant material without which future wars must
inevitably lead to disaster This subject is sub
mtted with the hope that the consideration it de-
serves may be given it at the present session.
Mr. Dawes Congratulated.
Washington, January 20. Representative Ii. l.,
Dawes while in the committee ways and
me ans, this afternoon, was informed from several
sources of his election as Senator from Massa-
chusetts. The members of the committee and
Others rendered him their congratulations, and
he was escorted by Speaker Blaine into the House
where many members shook him by the hand and
rendered congratulations. During Dawes alb
sence from the committee his fellow members
made arrangements to give him dinner at Worm
leys tomorrow night.
When Butler heard of Dawes success he re-
marked - simply this and nothing more-"An
right"
Irwin having expressed his willingness to an
swer the questions of the committee, has been
permitted to resume his quarters at Wormley'
Hotel.