Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-12-03
rotary reports decrease of more than s9.Wn0D,
of which reduction of s5,sO.Go was effected
in the expenditures for rivers md harhors and


and it is reported by the secretary of war that
a result of exercising such discretion in reducing
the number Of drat.ght and pack animals in the
for such animals could he reduced. The animal
cost for this is now u. os5., less than it was
in 1882.
The reports Of the military commanders show
that the last year has been notable for its entire
FREEDOM FROM INDIAN OUTBREAKS.
In defiance OF the presidents proclamation Of
July ], 1885,, certain iutruders sought to make
settlements in Indian territory. They were
promptly removed by adctachment Of troops.
During the past session OF congress bill to
provide
SUITABLE riKE-PRooF BUILDING
for the army medical museum and the library Of
of the senate. 4 similar bill, reported favorabiy
TO the house Of representatives by one OF its COM
nitteea1i = still pendins before that body. II IL
ure may become law and thereafter immediate
steps be takcn TO secure place of safe deposit
for these valuable collections, now in state Of
The funds with which the work for tho
IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND nARBoRs
were prosecuted during the past year were derived
from the appropriations of the act OF August 2
1882, together with such few balances es we're on
in the treasury subject TO requisition July, 1888,
was Sio,u2l 6i9.55. The amount appropriated
during the fiscal 1884 was S13, and
the amount drawn from the treasury during the
fiscal year s., ,22S 703 ST. leaving u balance of
$s,ll2sso.Ss In the treasury, subject to requisi-
The secretary OF war submits tho report of the
chief of engineers as to tho practicability of
PROTECTING OUR IMPORTANT CITIES
on the seaboard by Notifications and other de-
fenses able to repel modern methods of attack.
The time has now come when such defenses can
be prepared with confidence that they will not
prove abortiye, and when the possible result Of
delay in making such preparation is seriously
considered, delay seems inexcusable. For the
rst
or capture would be national humiliation. ade-
quate defenses, inclusive OF guns. may be
made by the gradual expenditure of $50,0Oo,uO
sum much less than victorious enemy could
| levy as a contribution. An appropriation OF
about one-tenth of this amount Is asked to begin
| the work, and concur with the secretary of war
| in urging that it be granted.
MANUFACTURE OF ORDNANCE.
! The war department is proceeding with the
! conversion of lo-inch smooth bore rifles into s.
| inch rites, by lining the fo;mer with tubes of
eoiled wroasht iron, Fifty guns rsil will
however, does not abate the necessity of provid-
| ing means for the construction of guns Of the
highest power, both for the purpose of coast de-
| fense and for the armament of war vessles.
| The report Of the gun foundry board, appointed
April 2, 1883, in pursuance of the act of March 3
| 1888, was transmitted to congress in my annual
| message of February q, 1884. In my message of
March %. 1884, called attention to the recommen-
| dation of the board that the government should
encourase the production of private steel works
4
that two government factories, one for tho army
and one for the navy, should be established for
the fabrication of guns from, such material. No
| action having been taken, the board was subse-
| quently reconyened to determine more fully
the plans and estimates necessary for carrying out
| its recommendations. II has received information
| which indicates that there responsible steel
! manufacturers in this country who, although not
| provided with the necessary plants, are willing
| 10 construct the same and to make bids for con-
tracts with the government for the supply OF the
requisite material for the heaviest guns adapted
TO modern warfare, il guarantee order OF snf-
appropriation extending ' over a series Of years,
! shall be made by congress. All doubts as to the
feasihilit, of the plan being thus removed, l re-
| taken 10y congress- IA will enable the government
| to construct its own ordnance upon its own ter
ritory, and 30 provide the arInaments demanded
THE NAVY.
The report Of the secretary of tho navy ex-
| hibits the progress which has been made on the
new steel cruisers authorized by the acts of
August 5, 1892 and March 5, 1883. OF the four
tons, is more than half finished. The Atlanta,
5000 tons, has been successfully launched. and
her machinery is nov fitting. The Boston, also
5000 tons, i ready for launching, and the
Dolphin, q dispatch steamer of 1900 tons, is
ready for delivery. Certain adverse criticisms
ppon the designs of these cruisers are discussed
ness Of tho conclusions reached by the advisory
board and by the department, have been demon
s The o e
monitors, Puritan Terror and Amphithrite,
contracted for under the act Of March
on ss' NJ L in work pF''iss hs. Of been scns
during the past year on their srmor for lack oi
the necessary appropriations. A fourth monitor
navy yard in California. 1t is recommended that
early steps be taken to complete these vessels
and to provide also an armament for the monitor
naval advisory board, approved by the depart,
ment, comprise the construction of one stee
cruiser Of 4,5o0 tons, one cruiser of s0O tons
two heavily armed gunb0ats, one light cruiflns
gunboat, one dispatch vessel armed with Hotch
kiss cannon, one armored ram and three torpedo
boats. The general designs, all Of which are cal
culated to meet the existing wants of the service
are now well advanced, and the construction o.
the vessels can be undertaken as soca as yor
shall grant the necessary authority.
ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS.
The act OF congress approved August 7, 1882
authorized the removal TO the United States q
the bodies OF ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Geo. w
belong and his companions Of the Jeanette ex
petition; This removal has been ssuecsssfall;
The remains were taken from their graves in tn,
Lena delta in March, 1883, and were retained =
un " Mnsf a The
date transportation. They arrived at New Yorl
February 20, 1884, where they were received will
In pursuance OF the Joint resolution Of con
gress, approved February 1S, 1884, a naval expe
dtion was fitted out for the relief Of Lieut. w
party who had been engaged under his command
in scientific observations at Lady Franklin bay
The fleet consisted Of the steam sealer Thetis
eeSassa at g. IJRsn.a Jshn hi Bean
Alert, which was generously provided by tn
British government. The preparations for tn
OF the navy. with the active cooperation Of II
secretary Of war. Commander Geo. W., Cotiil
was PLACED in command OF the Alert and Lient
Ihetis was entrusted to Commander Winfield 8
Copsly to whom also was assigned the superin
e. o. the entire lon Inpats
SPITE Of every obstacle. reached Littiston islan,
Saa attained tas point s On ih Tie sas %
Greely and the other survivors of his party wer
and the sass .hs dea Se s ships s s
for st. Johns, whore they arrived on July Ii
They n were Appropriately received "a
no's%ea'nY :. So% York on n August AUGUST One an
the bodies was landed at the former place. tn
Others were put on shore at GoveFnor's island
and with the exception OF one. which was in
tered in the National censtary, were forwnrde
thence TO the destination indicated by friends
The organization and conduct Of this relief ez
pedition reflects great credit upon all who con
trihuted TO its success.
. In this, the last Of the stated messages that
shall have ths honor TO :" the
its attention
THE DUTY or RESTORING OUR NAVY
as rapidly as possible to the high state Of cfici
. | ency which formerly characterized it. As til
long peace that has lulied us into q sense 9
| fanciel security may at any time be disturbel
II is plain that the policy Of strengthening thi
, arm Of the service is dictated by consideration
of wise economy. Of just regard for our futuI
I / tranquility, and OF true appreciation Of th
/ dignity and honor of the republic.
, POSTOFFICE DEPARTMENT.
CONDITION AND NEEDS or THE SERVICE.
The report of the postsnaster-general acquain'
, you with the present condition and needs of II
Y postal service. 1t discioses the gratifying IA,
| that the loss Of revenue from . reduction Of th
. rate in letter postage as recommended in N
. message Of December, 1882, and effected BY Il