The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1884-12-11
THE WAR DEPARTMENT.
DECREASED EypENsaa

In The expenses of the war department tho
secretary reports decrease OF more than
$g. QOO, 600, Of which a reduction Of So ,6OO,-
QUO was effected in expenditures for ;rivefs
and harbors and So, 7OO,OOO in expenditures
Tor the quartermaster's department. Out
side OF that department. the annual expenses
TOR all the army bureaus proper Except
probably the ordnance bureaus) are SUBJ
stantially fixed charges which cannot be ma
terlally diminished without a change in the
numerical strength of the army The ex-
penses in the quartermaster's department
can readily be subjected to administrative
discretion. and it is reported by the secre-
tary of war that az a result Of exercising
such discretion in reducing the num-
aSs r S.a9 5Se annual ana p sSs a g in
Ing and caring for such animals is now
81 1O8 ,OS5 80 less than it was in 1882.
The reports OF military commanders show
that the last year has been notable for it's
freedom from Indian outbreaks. In defiance
OF e ire presidents proclamation Of July l,
1884, certain intruders sought to make set
Elements in the Indian Territory They
were promptly removed by detachment of
troops During the past session of congress
bill to provide suitable fire. ploof build
ing for the army medical museum and the
library Of the surgeon generals office re-
bill, reported favorably to the house Of rep
resentatives by one OF its committees, is still
pending before that body. 1t is hoped that
during the coming session the mea sur
may become law, and thereafter imme-
date steps may be taken to secure place of
safe deposit for the valuable collections now
In state OF Insecurity. The funds with which
the works for the improvements of rivers
and harbors were prosecuted during the past
year We're derived from the appropriations
OF the re- act Of Aug ?. 1882, together with
such few balances as were on hand from pre-
tious appropriations The balance of the
treasury subject to requisition July l, 1888,
was $1O,O21 $40 So. The amount appro-
priated during the fiscal year 1854 was
$13, 1876 BAG. 81 and the amount drawn from
$S, rs, 7o3 81 leaving a balance of So, ! r.
$50 Us in the treasury subject to requisition
July /, 1884.
sEACoAsT DEFENsEs.
The secretary of war submits the report of
the chief OF engineers as to the practicable
tty of protecting our important cities on the
seaboard, by Notifications and other de-
lenses able to repel modern methods of at
tack. The time has now come when such
defenses can be prepared with confidence
that they will not prove abortive; and when
the possible results of delay in making such
preparations is seriously considered, delav
seems inexcusable. For the most important
cities. those whose destruction or capture
would be a national hunt iation, adequate
defenses, inclusive of guns. may be made by
the gradual expenditure OF GOOOO, 900,
sum much less than victorious enemy
ton Of about one-tenth of that amount is
asked to begin the work, and concur with
the secretary of war in urging that it be
granted. The war department. is proceed
Ing with the conversion of ten-inch smooth
bore guns into eight-inch rifles. by lining the
former with tubes Of forged or of cold
wrought iron Fl ty guns will be thus con-
verified within the year This, however, does
not Obviate the necessity OF providing means
for the construction of guns 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 ap-
pointed April 2, 1888, in pursuance of the
act of March 5, 1883. was transmitted to
congress in special message OF Feb 8, 1854.
In my message OF March 26, 1884, 1 called
attention to the recommendation OF the
board that the government should encourage
the production at private 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-
lished for the fabrication of guns Of such
material No action having been taken,
the board was subsequently reconvened
to determine more fully the plans and esti-
mates for carrying out its recommendations
1t has received information which indicates
that there are responsible steel manufacture
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 govern
ment for the supply of the requisite material
for the heaviest Yuns adapted to modern war
fare, if a guaranteed order of sufficient mag
nitude. accompaniedby a positive appropria-
ton extending over 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 &C
ton be taken by congress as will enable the
government to construct it's own ordnance
upon its own territory, and so to provide the
ornaments demanded by considerations of
national safety and honor.