Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1875-01-28
The Presidents Message ON Fortifica-
lions and Armamenfs.

WASHINGTON. Jan. %.
The President sent the following mes
sage to Congress to-day:
To the Senate and House of Representatives.
In nv annual message OF Dec. 1, 1878,
while inviting general attention to all recon-
mendations made by the Secretary Of War.
your special attention was invited to the inn
portance of preparation for war in the arming
OF our 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 pertipence as the years roll by. have now
again the honor to call special attention to the
condition OF the armamento of our Notifications
and the absolute necessity for immediate pro-
vision by Congress for the procurement 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 theifgradual ac-
cumulation In time Of war such prepara-
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.
I 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 rife, converted from the ten-inch smooth
bore, which shows very conclusively 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 1924 ten-inch Rodman guns should, in
my opinion, be so utilized, and the appropri-
alton requested by the Chief OF Ordnance OF
$3.50 600 to commence these conversions is
earnestly recommended.
While convinced OF the economy and neces-
sity Of these conversions, the determine
ton of the best and 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 afoat, demands heavier metal and
rifle guns of not less than twelve
inches in caliber. These enormous masses,
hurting shot of 700 pounds, can alone
the national defenses. They must be pro-
yided and experiments on large scale can
alone give the data necessary for the deter
mination of the question. A suitable proving
ground, with all the facilities and conven-
FENCES referred to by the Chief Of Ordnance,
with liberal annual appropriation, is an un-
doubted necessity.
The guns ready for trial cannot be tested
without funds. and the estimate Of $250000
for the purpose is deemed reasonable, and Is
strongly recommended. The constant APP
peals for legislation on "armament of
Qualifications ought no longer to be
disregarded, if Congress desires in
peace to prepare important material
the want of which in future wars must
inevitably lead TO disaster. This subject is
submitted with the hope that the considera-
ton it deserves may be given 1t at the present
session. (Signed) U. s. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, Jar. 90 1875.