New-York tribune., 1878-10-15
ARMS AND ORDNANCE.

hAIRAtIH GROh IHE ANNUAL hFfOhl NOW JNSl
PREPARED-A MORE LIBERAL SYSTEM OF GOV
BRNMENT MANUFACTURE URGENTLY ADVISED
WAsnINGroN, Oct 13-The annual report Of
Brigadier-General s. V. Benet, Chief of Ordnance
United States Army, has been completed and sub
mltted to the Secretary of War; The fiscal resources
of the Ordnance Department flor the year ending
June 30, 1873 amounted to 81 ,4S1 S11 50, and its
expenditures TO 81 1891, ,40S 90. The following
extracts contain the most important features OF the
report:
Arsenals and Depots.-Upon the recommendation Of
this office. the low for the establishment OF ordnance
depos, Section lGJ Revised Statutes, has been vital
iEod under the direction OF the Secretary OF War
depots have established at Fort Abraham Lincoln
Fort Leaycnworth, Fort Yuma and Cheyenne. The
principal object OF these dcpots place
ply of stores In convenient locality, under the lmme-
date control and command OF the Department Com
mauder for supply Of his troops and IL s be-
licved that through such instumentality the sup
plying the Army distant parts Of the country can be
done more e1peditiously and perfectly.
Small Auns.-Only 100000 appropriated for the
manufacture Of small at the National ArInory dur
n the last sca year. On the LIT inst there in store
rs reserve supply, $4,000 rifles and 0,6s6 cabines
total 22 s5 arms OF tho latest model have submitted
an estimate 100000 Tor tho manufacture OF arms
duiDg tho next fscal year. The necessity for an ac
cumatiun OF arms tho latest pattern has been 80
often dscussed aud has received such practical appca
tiOu on pant Of her countries that further refer
encc To report would be work OF supereiOga
ton. The moral effect of largo supply oi arms In
readiness f0T IL always euurcy dsregarded IN the
discussion OF the subject To DC prepared iOr Inme!ate
hosttles > q quiet power which must enter Largely as
an important factor in tho determination OF Internal
questions that may my not lead To war aud as such
30 ser 10 u worth all the money expended IN ts prOduc
tlgn. A. q milit1fy weIpon Ine SpringHGiS ,,d ,,s
recent record at CreedmOOr IA not au unexpected Sc
qucnoo TO It's success ia tie Interstate military halch
AT@apSat Of For;incstions-For tlis purpose cst
mate 5000 900 has been submitted for tile next nsca
year, and the hope is ndllge9 IN tat WIZ Do
liberal Ia lis appropriated There are Dul Two ahuIac
ties aud the experience necessary for the cUncsl1n or
guns the plans adopted These are ths West Point
foundry Mass. bOth n when have done foundry work
for the Government since the c9mmehc.mehU 0i
have TO depend on those establishments IN
% in condition 20 keep thcm IN snncieut order to pre-,
serve The plant aul urCLuulCul SIKH without loss 10 the
coo,napies Irr.ectyc however q. any cOnsideIatio
of person. profit ,hc present uIscnt wants OF our
oTcrut nv sIow aud careful proccss Incompatible with
tue rush Of events IN impending the economy OF
working present prices, besides Eyng the die me
chanc privilege OF bOIng FOR bis bread, All appeal
10 FOR large permanent annual appropriation
Tor this National necessity.
Powder NIL and DepUt.-l again renew my recolnmen-
daon for an appropriation Of 100000 for the estab-
lishmcnt o powder mill for tho manufacture 0t gun
powder aud depot for It's storage ana preserVhilOh
Our principal storage ~ found IN damp and uu-
suitable aznc and classmates of our orts Where tne
gunpOwder dcteri1ra'es very rapidly WSI-eohsttucleu
magazines In proper locality would IN few years save
the their erection by preventing this deterioration
and loss, -, - .... -
Mlta-ArtIclc l., Section s, Of the Constitution eD-
movers Congress 10 provide for organizing, arm
ing and dlscipning the militia, etc. Ine
Latest published returns OF the militia force
civc. Orguuizrd 03Gy7; unOrganZed, 1874 693
The present annual appropriation OF S2OOOOO Is lhsu
cent 20 provide the aud equipments necessary 10
encourage the formation of new 0rgah Lohs anu a.
keep the organized force IN proper condlti m Ehls
amount ought be largely Increased. New orgaIzl
lions ongnt 10 be encouraged and fostered by every
means possible The whole body Of the militia ought to
des In shou a be- aud ample provision should be MADE
ior arinng and equpping new organizations as rapidly
s they aTU formed until the militia Is mus placed on
uropcT footing In a condition to be efficiently handled
when called out. standing army OF some magnitude
cannot be dispensed with. This matter deserves ana
shOuld receive the serious attention Of Congress