Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-12-02

| should be Established Tor the faorlcauon OF
guns from such material. No action having
been taken, the board was subsequently
recommended to determine more fully the
plans and estimates necessary for
carving out its Recommendation. II
has received information which indicates
that there are responsible steel manufactur-
ers in this country, who, although not pro-
vided At present with the necessary plant. are
willing to construct the same, and to make
| bids for contracts with the government for
supply of the requisite material for the heav-
lest guns adapted to modern warfare, II
guaranteed an order of sufficient magnitude,
| accompanied by positive assurances that an
appropriation 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 action be taken by Congress
as will enable the government to construct
its own ordnance upon its own territory. and
so to provide the ornaments demanded by
q consideration of the national safety and
honor. The report of the secretary Of the
navy exhibits the progress which has been
made on new steel cruisers, and authorized
by acts of Aug. 5, 1882, and March 8. 1888,
of four vessels, under contract. One the
| Chicago, of 1900 tons, is more than half
finished; the Atlanta of 5000 tons, has been
launched and her machinery is now fitting
the Boston, also of 5000 tons, is ready for
launching, and the Dolphin, dispatch
steamer of 1900 tons. is ready for delivery.
Certain adverse criticisms upon the
designs of these cruisers are dis
cussed by the secretary, who insists
that the correctness of the conclusions
reached by the advisory board and by the
department has been demonstrated by recent
developments in ship building abroad. The
machinery of the double turreted Monitors
Puritan, Terror, and Amphitrite, contracted
for under the act of March 3, 1888, is in
process of construction. No work has been
done during the past year on their armor, for
lack of necessary appropriation A fourth
Monitor, "Monadnock." still remains unfin-
ished at the navy ward in California. 1t is
recommended that early steps be taken to
| complete these vessels, and to provide
also an amount for the Monitor,
Miantonomah. Recommendations OF the
naval advisory board, approved by the
department, comprise the construction of one
steel cruiser of $500 tons, one cruiser of
5000 tons. two heavily armed gunboats. one
light cruising gunboat, one dispatch vessel
armed with Hotchkiss cannon, one armored
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 construction of these
vessels can be undertaken as soon as you shall
grant the necessary authority.
Ii. DE LONG AND COMPANIONS.
An act of Congress, approved August 9TH,
| 1882. authorized the removal to the United
States of the bodies of 1t. Commander George
W. belong, and his companions of the Jean.
nette expedition. Thi, removal has been
successfully accomplished by Its Harder and
Schnetze. The remains were taken from
their grave in Lena Delta in March, 1888,
! and were retained at Yokutzk until the follow
ing winter, the season being too far advanced
to admit of their immediate transportation.
They arrived at New York, February 20,
1884, where they were received with suitable
honors.
GREELEY RELIEF EXPEDITION.
In pursuance of joint resolution of Con-
gress approved February Is, 1884, a party was
organized for the relief of Lieut.. Greeley
United States Army, and of the party who
had been engaged under his command in
scientific observation at Lady Franklin Bay.
The fleet consisted of the steam sealer Thetis,
purchased in England; Bear, purchased at
| St Johns, n. F., and Alert, generously pro-
| yided by the British government. Prepare
| by the secretary of the navy, with the active
cooperation of the secretary of war. Com
mander Geo. Coffin was placed in command
of the Alert, and Lieut.. VIM. H. Emory in
command of the Bear. The Thetis was
intrusted to Commander w. Schley, to
whom also was assigned the superintendency
of the entire expedition. Immediately upon
its arrival at UpernavIk, the feet began the
dangerous navigation of Melville Bay. and in
spite of every obstacle, reached Littleton
Island, June %. fortnight earlier than any
vessel had ever before attained that point
| On the same day it crossed over to Cape
Sabine, where Lieut.. Greeley and the other
survivors of his party were discovered
After taking on board the living and the
bodies of the dead, the relief ships sailed
for st. Johns, where they arrived on
July II. They were appropriately received
at Portsmouth, N. H., on Aug. |, and New
York on Aug. 8. One of the bodies was
landed at the former place. The others were
put on shore at Governors Island and with
the exception of one which was inferred in
| the national cemetery, were forwarded thence
to destinations indicated by friends.
The organization and conduct Of this relief
expedition reflects great credit on all who
contributed to its success. In this. the last
of the stated messages that l shall have the
honor to transmit to the Congress of the
United States, cannot too strongly urge on
its attention the duty of restoring our navy
as rapidly as possible to the high state Of
efficiency which formerly characterized it. as
the long peace which has lulled us into
sense of fancied security may at any time
be disturbed. 1t is plain that the policy Of
strengthening this arm of the service is die.
tated by considerations of the wisest econo-
my. of just regard for our true appreciation
of the dignity and honor Of the republic.
PosrMAsTER GENERALS REPORT.
The report of the postmaster general &C.
quaints you with the present condition and
needs of the postal service. 1t discloses the
gratifying fact that the loss of revenue from
the reduction in the rate Of letter postage, as
recommended in my message of Dec. /. 1882,
and effected by act of March 8, 1888, has
been much less than was generally anticipat-
ed. My recommendation of this reduction
was based on the belief that the actual falling
off in receipts from letter postage for the
year succeeding the change of rate would be
s., 900. 600. 1t has proved to be only s2,275,-
600. This is a trustworthy indication that
the revenue will soon be restored to it's
former volume by the increase of sealed
correspondence. / confidently repeat the
recommendation of my last message. that
single rate of postage on drop letters be
reduced to one cent, wherever the payment of
two cents is now required. Double rate is only
- NJ - -.