Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1884-12-02

direction, the number OF pack animals In
the army and the cost OF supplying and
caring for such animals is nJS Sl,l0S,
Oe5. 80 less than it was in 1882
Rivers and Iarbsrs.
The finds with which the works for the
improvement Of rivers and harbors, were
prosecuted during the past year we're de-
rived from the appropriation of the act OF
August 2, 1882, together with such few
balances as were on hand from previous ap-
preparations. The balance in the treasury
subject 10 requisiion July |, 1888, was
Sl0.02l, ,64955. The amount appropriated
during the fiscal year 1884 was sl.3l9,-
634 62, and the amount drawn from
the treasury during the fiscal year was
s, ,228, ,703.54, leaving balance OF So IT,,
$50 63 in the treasury subject to requisiton
July lst 1884 The Secretary Of War sub,
nits the report Of the Chief Of Engineers as
10 the pracucsbility of protecting our i'm
portant cities on the seaboard by forthca-
tions and other defences able to repel jail the
modes of attack The time has come when
such deienses can be prepared with the con-
fdepce they will not prove abortive, and
when the possible result Of delay in making
such preparation is seriously considered, de-
lay yseemsinexcusable. FOR the most impor.
tant cities those whose destruction or capture
would be a national humiliation, adequate
defenses, inclusive of guns, may be made
BY the gradual expenditure Of $50 900, 900,
a sum much less than victorious enemy
could levy as contribution, An apPropri
alton OF about one-tenth OF that amount Is
asked to begin the work, and concur with
the Secretary Of War in urging that 1t be
granted. The War Department is proceed
ing with the conversion Of l0-inch smooth
bore guns into S-inch rifles, by lining the
former with tubes Of forged or coiled
wrong htiron. Fifty guns will be thus con-
verted within the year. This however,
does not obviate the necessity of providing |
means for the construction of guns OF the |
highest power, both for the purposes oil
coast defense and for the armament Of war |
vessels.
The Gun Foundry Board.
The report of the Gun Foundry Board,
appointed April I'd, 1883, in pursuance OF
he act of March Sd, 1888, was transmitted
TO Congress in special message OF February |
-rh, 1884. In my message Of March 10Th,
I~si, | called attention to the recommends.
ton of the board that the government
i ould encourage the production at privat"
. peiworls OF the required material for heavy
..nnon. and that two government factories
ne for the army and one for the navy
.horld DC established for the fabrication OF
.uns frcm such material No action having
been tax, n, the board subsequently re-
,unvencd to determine more fmi
sc plars and estimates neceS'
.nrv for carrying out its recommendation.
/; has received information which ind
,.alcs that there are responsible steel man
'acturers in this country who, although not
:. divided at present with the necessary plant,
are willing to construct the same, aud to
make bids for contracts with the Govern
ment, for the supply of the requisite ma
,erial for the heaviest guns adapted to
modern warfare, if guaranteed order OF
sufficient magnitude, accompanied by
positive appropriation extending over
| series of years shall be made by Congress
III doubts as to the feasibility of the plan
..,ing thus removed, renew my recon-
uendation, that sue action be taken by Con-
,ress as will enable the Government to
| onstrUct its own ordinance upon It's
own territory and so TO provide the arma-
| ments by consideration Of national safety
and honor. The report Of the Secretary o.
he Navy exhibits the progress which has
been made on the
| New steel Cruisers
authorized BY the acts OF August 5th, 1882
and March Sd, 1883. GCihe iopv under
contract one one, me Chicago" of $500 tons
! IS more than hslf finished, he Atlanta, OF
1000 tons, has been successfully launched
and her machinery is now fitting. Ths
Boston" aiso Of 5000 tons and the dol
phin" dispatch steamer Of 800 TONS are
ready for delivery. Certain adverse crit'
cisms upon the designs of the cruisers are
discussed By the secretary, who insists that
he correctness OF the conclusions reached
By the advisory board and the department
has been demonstrated BY recent develop
ments in ship building abr ad. The ma
chinerv OF the double turreted monitors Puri-
in, Terror and Amphitrite, contracted for
rnder the act Of March I'd, 1888, is in nro
cess of construction. No work has be N
done during the past year on their armo-
for lack OF the necessary appropriations
A fourth monitor; the Monadnock still re
mains unfinished at the navy yard IN Cali
,ornia. II is recommended that early steps
he taken TO complete these vessels and 70
provide also an armament for the monitor
Miantonomah The recon mendation OF the
Naval Advisory Board approved BY the de
partment comprises the construction OF one
Steel cruiser Of $500 tons, one cruiser Of
1000 tons, two heavily armed gunbosts,one
ght cruising gunboat, one dispatch vessel
armed with Hotchkiss cannon, one armed
ram and three torpedo boats. The general
designs, all OF which are calculated to meet
the existing wants of the service, are now
well advanced, and the con truction Of the
vessels can now be undertaken as soon as
YOU shall grant the necessary authority.
Arctic Heroes.
The act Of Congress approved
August 7, 1882, authorized the removal
20 the United States of the bodies OF Lieut.
Commander Geo ". De Long and his com
panions Of the Jeanette expedition. This
removal has been successfully accom- mpIished
5y Lieutensnts Harbor aud Schultze. The
remains were taken from the grave in the
Lena Delta in March, 1888, and were re-
| tanned at Yaukutok until the following
winter. the season being too far advanced
10 admit Of their immediate transportation
They arrived at New York February 20.
1884, where they we're received with suit.
ole hoEors.
| The Greely Expedition.
In pursuance Of the joint resolution OF
Congress, approved February l3, 1884,
naval expedition was fitted out for the re-
lief Of Lieutenant A. W. Greely, United
States army, and Of the party who had been
ENGAGED under his command in scientific
observations at Lady Franklin bay. The
feet consisted Of the steamer Thetis, Pur'
chased in England, the Bear. purchased at
St Johns, New Foundland, and the Alert,
which was generously provided BY the Brt-
ish Government. Prepsrstions for the ex-
petitions we're promptly made by the secre,
isry of the Navy. with active cooperation of
The Secretary ofwsr Commander George
". Coffin was placed in command OF the
Alert and W. H. Emory in command OF the
Bear The Thetis was entrusted TO Com
mander Winfield 8. Schley to whom
| =, - .sr;crad the srIrsyintSUi-