The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1884-12-06
the MESSAGE.
THE INDIANS,


notable for its entire freedom from
Indian outbreaks. In defiance of the
Presidents proclamation of July l.
1881, certain intruders sought to make
settlements in the Indian Territory.
They were promptly removed by q de-
tachment Of troops. During the past
session Of Congress, a bill to provide u
suitable tire-proof building for
THE ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM
and the library of the Surgeon Gene
rails Office received the approval of the
Senate. A similar bill reported favor
ably to the House OF Representatives
by one of the committees, is still pend
ing before that body. 1t is hoped that
during the coming session the measure
may become law, and thereafter i'm
mediate steps may be taken to secure
place of safe deposit for these valuable
collection now IN a state of insecurity.
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The fund with which the works for
the i'm rovement Of rivers and harbors
were prosecuted during the past year
were derived from the appropriations
of the act of August 2, 1852, together
with such few balances as were on
hand from previous appropriations.
The balance in the Treasury subject to
requisitiOn July |, 1888 was SIC, O2l $40.
55. The amount appropriated during
the fiscal year 1854 was Sl,3l9, 1894 ,6T,
and the amount drawn from the
Treasury during the fiscal year was
SS.22S, 1854, leaving balance of So,
1l2,5SO.63 in the Treasury subject to
requiSition July /, 1884.
The Secretary of War submits the re-
mort rf tbo Chiaf nf Enniroaro tD
the practicability of protecting our
important cities on the seaboard by
FORTIFIC ATIoNs AND OTHER DE-
FENSES
able to repel modern methods Of at
tack. The time has now come wien
such defenses can be prepared with
confidence that they will not prove
abortive, and when the possible result
of delay in making such preparation is
seriously considered, delay seems mex
cuSable. For the mosI important
cities, those whose destruction or cap
ture would be national humiliation,
adequate detenseS inclusive of guns
may be made by the gradual eXpendi-
ture of $50, 900, sum much less
than victorious enemy could levy as
a contribution. An appropriation 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 Depart.
ment is proceeding with the conversion
of ten-inch smooth-bore guns into
eight-inch rifles by lining the former
with tubes of forged or of coiled
wrought iron. Fifty guns will be thus
converted within the yc.l. This, how
ever does not obyiate the necessity Of
providing means for the obstruction
of guns of the highest power. both
for the purposes of coast defense and
for the armament of WIZ vessels.
MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE.
The report of the Gun Foundry
Board appointed April2. 1883, TN pur- |
suance Of the act Of March. 1888, was
transmitted to Congress III a special
message Of February s, 1884. In my
message of March %, 1854. | called |
attention to the recommendation the |
board that the Government should en-
courage the production by private steel
works of the required material for
heavy cannon, and that two Govern /
ment factorieS-one for the army and
one for the navy-should be establish
ed for the fabrication OF guns from
such material. No action having been
taken the board was subsequently re-
convened to determine more fully the
plans and estimates necessary for car
rying out its recommendations. 1t has
received information which indicates
that there are responsible steel manu-
facturerS in this country who, although |
not at present provided with the neces-
Sary plant, are willing to construct the
same and to make bids for contracts
with the Government for the supply Of
the requisite material for the heaviest |
guns adapted to modern warfare, il |
guaranteed orders or sufficient magni-
tude, accompanied by positive appro-
priation extending over Il series of
years shall be made by Congress. All |
doubts as to the feasibility of the plan
being thus removed, | renew my re-
commentator that action be taken by
Congress as will enable the Govern
ment to construct its own ordnance
upon its own territory, and 50 to pro-
vide the ornaments demanded by con-
siderationS of national safety and
honor
THE NEW STEEL CRUISERS.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy exhibits the progress which has
been made on the new steel cruisers
authorized by the acts of August 5,
1882 and March 3, 1888. OF the four
vessels under contract, one the Chica-
90, of $500 tons, is more than half
finished; the Atlanta, 1900 tons, has
been successfully launched and her
machinery is now fitting; the Boston,
also of 5000 tons, is refly for launch
ing, and the Dolphin, despatch
80. L., e..
delivery.
Certain adverse criticisms upon the
designs of these cruisers are discussed
by the Secretary, who insists that the
correctness of the conclusions reached
by the Advisory Board, and by the de-
partment, has been demonstrated by
recent development in ship-building
abroad.
THE MONITORS.
The machinery of the double-turret-
cd Bnritun TarpaS anI