Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1884-12-11
TIE WAX DEPARTMENT..

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In ne penscs of the war department the
secretary reports n decrease Of moro than
SO, 600 900, of which a reduction OF 80, O0O,-
600 was effected In expenditures for rivers
and harbors and 81, 70O, 900 in expenditures
for the quartermasJer's department. Out
side OF that department the nnual expenses
for all the army bureaus proper Except
probably the ordnance bureausl are sub
stantialiy fixed charges which cannot be ma
terially diminished without a change In the
numerical strength OF the army. The ex-
penses in the quartermaster's department
can readily be subjected 70 administrative
discretion. and 1t is reported by the secre-
tary of war that az a result of exercising
such discretion in reducing the num-
Der OF draught and pack animals IN
the army, the annual cost of supply
ing and caring foF such animals Is nov
81, los, 0S5 30 less than IL was in 1882
The reports OF military commanders show
that the last year has been notable for its
freedom from Indian outbreaks. In dehance
OF the presidents proclamation OF July i,
1884, certain intruders sought 20 make set
Elements in the Indian Territory. They
were promptly removed by IA detachment Of
troops Daring the past session Of congress
a bill to provide a suitable iire-PlOot build
ing Tor the army medical museum and the
library of the surgeon generals Office re-
celved the approval OF the senate. similar
bill, reported fayorably 20 the house Of rem
~ NAAN Va - bVALAAAAlAtteY 10 hNt''
pending before that body. IL is hoped that
during the coming session the mea sur
may become O law, and thereafter tmme-
date steps may be taken to secure n place OF
safe deposit for the yaluabl collections now
in a state Of insecurity. The funds with which
the works for the improvements Of rivers
and harbors were prosecuted during the past
year were derived from the appropriations
of the act Of Aug. ., 1882, together with
such few balances as were on hand from pre-
vious appropriations The balance Of the
treasury subject to requisitiou July l, 1883,
was SlO,O2l, 649.55. The amount appro-
priated during the fiscal year 1884 was
Sl3, l96,346 p and the amount drawn from
the treasury during the fiscal year was
IS, DDS, 703. "a, leaving o balance of 50 ,l12.-
6SO63 IN the treasury subject to requisition
July 1, 1854
sRAcoAsT DEFEssEs.
The secretary of war submits the report Of
the chief OF engineers as to the practicable
ity of protecting ourampoTtant cities on the
seaboard, by Notifications and other de-
lenses able to repel modern methods Of at
tack. b time has now come when such
defenses can be prepared with confidence
that they viii not prove abortiye; and when
the possible results of delay in making such
preparations is seriously considered, delay
seems ~ineXCusab!e. For the most important
cities, those whose destruction or capture
would be O national hum tGtion, adequate
defenses, inclusive Of guns. NAV be made by
the gradual expenditure of $50, 600, O09,
a sum much less than a victorious enemy
could levy as u contribution An approprih-
ton OF about one-tenth of that amount is
asked TO begin the work, and l concur with
the secretary OF war in urging that IL be
granted. The war department is proceed
ing with the conversion of ten-inch smooth
bore guns into eight-iuch rifles. by Inning the
former with tubes Of forged or Of cold
wrought iron. III ty guns will be thus con-
1 WrarfaI uHaNkHA Wha 800 mkt E~,.-- h.
not obyiate the necessity OF providing means
for the construction of gun of the high
est power, but for the purposes of coast de-
Tense and for the armament of war vessels
The report of the gun foundry board APP
pointed April 2, 1883, in pursuance of the
act OF March 3, 1888, was transmitted TO
congress in q special message of Feb. 3, 1854.
In my message OF March 90. 1854. | called
attention to the recommendation of the
board that the government should encourage
the production at prtyaCe steel works of the
required material for heavy cannons, and
that two government factories, one for the
army and one for the navy, should be estab-
ilshed for the fabrication OF runs of such
material. No action having been taken,
the board was subsequently, Teconvened
TO determine more fully the plans and esi-
mates for carrying out its recommendations.
IL has received Information which indicates
that there are responsible steel m~anufactHr-
ers in this country who. although not pro-
ytded at present with the necessary plant,
are wiling to construct the same and TO
make bids for contracts with the govern
nent for the supply OF the requisite material
for the heaviest Gums adapted 70 modern war
fare, IL a guaranteed order OF sufficient mag
nitude, accompanied by a positive apprUpria-
ton extending over a series of years, shall
be made by congress All doubts as to the
feasibility Of the plan being thus removed,
| renew my recommendation that such ac-
ton be taken by congress, as viii enable the
government 10 construct its own ordnance
upon its own territory, and so to provide the
ornaments demanded by considerations Of
national safety and honor.