Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1883-12-11
NUMBER 40.
CUSTOM DISTRICTS.

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the President be vested with such powers
in relation thereto as is now given him
as to collectors of internal revenue by
section 3l4l of the revised statutes. The
statistics on this subject which are con-
tanned in his report furnish of themselves
strong argument in defence OF his
views.
At the adjournment Of Congress the
number of internal revenue collection dis
tricts were l26. BY executive order.
dated June IS, 1888, | directed that GER
tain of those districts be consolidated.
The result has been a reduction Of one
third their number, which at present Is
but S3.
OUR WARDS.
From the report of the secretary Of war
it will be seen that only in a single in
stance has there been any disturbance of
the quiet condition of our Indian tribes.
A raid occurred from Mexico into Ari-
zonia by small party OF Indians. which
was pursued by General Crook into the
mountain regions from which it had
come. 1t is confidently hoped that sen-
Gus outbreaks will not again occur, and
that the Indian tribes which have for so
many years disturbed the West will,
hereafter, remain in peaceable submis-
sion.
OUR SEA COAST DEFENCEs.
again call your attention TO the pres
ent condition of our extended sea coast
upon which are so many large cities,
whose wealth and importance TO the coun-
try would, in time OF war, invite attack
from modern armed ships against which
our existing defensive works could give
no adequate protection. Those works
were built before the introduction of
modern heavy rifed guns into maritime
warfare, and if they are not put in an eff
ticlent condition We may easily be sub
Jected to humiliation by hostile power
greatly inferior to ourselves. As germane
to this subject, | call your attention TO
the importance of pertectlng our sub-ma-
rine torpedo defences. The Board au-
thorized by the last Congress to report on
the method which should be adopted for
the manufacture OF heavy ordnance adapt
ed 10 modern warfare, has visited the
principal iron and steel works in this
country and in Europe. 1t Is hoped that
It's report will soon be made and that
Congress will therefore be disposed to
provide suitable facilities and plans for
the manufacture OF such guns as are now
imperatively needed.
THE STATE MILITIA.
On several occasions during the past
year, officers of the army have, at the re-
quest Of the State authorities, visited
their military encampments for the IN
spection of the troops. From the reports
of these officers am induced 10 believe
that the encouragement Of the State mil
tia organization by the national govern
ment would be followed by very crafty
ing results and would afford it, in sud-
den emergencies, the aid of large body
OF volunteers educated in the performance
OF military duties.
THE NAVY.
The secretary Of the navy reports that
under the authority OF the acts of Aug.
5, 1882, and March 3, 1888, the work
Of Strengthening our navy by the con-
struction of modern vessels has been au-
spiciously begun. Three cruisers are in
process of construction, the Chicago Of
800 tons displacement, aud the Bos-
ton and Atlanta, each OF $500 tons.
They are to be built Of steel with the
tensile strength and ductility prescribed
by law and in combination OF speed, en-
durance and armament are expected 10
compare favorably with the 6est unar-
mored war vessels OF other nations. A
fourth vessel, the Dolphin, Is to be con-
structed of similar material and 1t Is in
tended to serve as a feet dispatch boat.
The double turreted monitors Puritan,
Amphitrite and Terror have been launched
on the Delaware River, and contract
has been made for the supply of their
machinery. A similar monitor, the Ma
radnock, has been launched in California.
the Naval Advisory Board and the Sec
rotary recommend the completion of the
the monitors, the construction of four
gunboats, and also OF three additional
steel vessels like the Chicago, Boston and
Dolphin, as al important measure OF ma
terial defence.
The Secretary urges, also, the imme-
date creation OF an interior coast line Of
water ways across the peninsula of Flor
ida, along the coast from Florida 10
Hampton Roads, between the Chesapeake
Bay and the Delaware River, and through
Cape Cod. feel bound to impress upon
the attention of Congress the necessity of
continued progress IN reconstruction of
the navy. the condition of the public
treasury, as | have already intimated,
makes the present an suspicious time for
putting this branch of the service in a
state OF efficiency. 1t Is no part of our
policy to create and maintain navy able
TO cope with that of the other great pow
ers OF the world. We have no wish for
foreign conquest, and the peace which We
have so long enjoyed is in no seeming
danger of interruption, but that our ma
val strength sh ould be made adequate for
the defence OF our harbors, the protection
of our commercial interests and the main
tenance OF our national honor is a propo-.
sition from which no patriotic citizen can
withhold his consent.
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