Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-01
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
fcontfn,sed from FRS, page.l

rotary reports decrease OF more than 50, O00O00
OF this reduction s561o,oo0 was effected In tae
pendlturcs for rivers and harbors, and 10000 IN
expenditures for the Quarternaster's department
OF all the Army bureaus proper except possibly
the Ordnance Bureau are substantially nxed
charges. which cannot be materially diminished
without change in the numerical strength OF the
Army. The expenditures in the QuarJeTm2Ster's
tratiye dsscret,on and y - yenGrted nv The secre
tary OF War that a result OF exercising such dis
cretfon, In reducing the number OF draughI and
PACK animals In the Army, tue annual cost OF sup
plying and caring for such animals Is nov
G,l0S, 0s5 90 less than IL was IN 1881.
The reports OF military commanders show that
the last year has been notable Tor its entire free
dom from Indian outbreaks.
In defiance OF the Presidents proclamation OF
dement's In the Indian Territory. They were
promptly removed by detachment OF troops.
ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM AND SURGEON GENERALS
OFFICE.
During the past session OF Congress O bill TO pro-
vide q suitable fre-proof building for the Army
Medical Museum and the library of the surgeon
Generals ONCE received the approval of the SEN
ate. similar bill, reported fovorably to the
tees Ia still pending before that body. 1t Is hoped
that during the coming session the measure may
nav Be- taken to secure place Of sae epos s'
curty.
RrvHR AND HARBoR APPROPRIATION.
ment Of rivers and harbors were prosecuted during
the past year were derived from the appropriations
Of the act OF August g, 1882. together with such
lew balances as were on hand from previous ap-
feet to requlsltion July l. 1881 was s1o,oal 64955
The amount appropriated during the fiscal year
1884 was 81 .ais. 6s4 81, and the amount drawn from
7oS "a, leaving a balance OF s3,112.5S0 63 in the
Treasury subject to requisition July /, 1884,
FoRTIFICATIoNs.
The Secretary OF War submits the report Of the
Chief Of Engineers as to the practicabty OF pro-
tecting our important cities On the seabOard by
Notifications and other defenses able to repe mod
ern methods OF attack The time has now come
when such defenses can be prepared with conf
denee that they will not prove aDOrtye: and, when
the possible result Of delay In making such prepa-
ration Is seriously considered, delay seems mex
cusable. For the most important cities-thOse
whose destruction or capture would be national
humtltatiOn-adequate defenseS. inclusive OF guns.
may be made By the gradua! expenditure or $780,
100000, a sum much less than victorious enemy
could levy 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 1t be granted.
The War Department is proceeding with the con-
version OF lo-inch smooth-oore guns into sincn
rides, by lining the former with tubes OF forged
steel or OF cooled wrought iron. Fifty guns VIII
be thus converted within the year. This, how
ever. does not obvlate the necessity OF providing
means for the construction OF guns of the highest
power, both for the purposes OF coast defense and
Tor the armament OF war vessels.
The report Of the Gun Foundry Board, appointed
April 2, 1886, in pursuance OF the OF March 8,
1888, was transmitted TO Congress in special mes
sage OF February 1S. 1884, In my message OF March
s., 1884, called attention to the recommendation
OF the Board that the Government should encour-
age the production at private steel works of the
required material for heavy cannon. and that two
government factories one for the Army and one for
the Navy, should be established for the fabrication
guns from such material. No action having been
taken, the Board was subsequently recOnvened to
determine more fully the plans and estimates neces-
sary for carrying out It's recommendation. 1t has
received information Which Indicates
are responsible steel manufacturers in this country
who, although not provided at present with the
necessary plant, are willing to construct the
and to make bids for contracts with the govern
ment for the supply OF the requisite material for
the heaviest guns adapted to modern warfare, If a
guaranteed order OF sufficient magnitude, accom-
panied Dy q positive appropriation extending over
sss,ss OF years shall De made oy Congress All
removed, renew my recommendation that such
action be taken by Congress will enable the
Government to construct its own ordnance upon its
OWL territory, and so TO provide the arInaments
demanded by considerations OF national safety and
honor.
WoEk ON THE STEEL CRUISERS AND THE MONITORS
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 s.
1852, and March 8, 1888 OF the four vessels under
contract, one, the Chicago, OF 1850 tons. is more
than half finished the Atlanta. OF 5000 tons. has
Deen successfully launched. and her machinery is
now fitting; the Boston, also OF 5000 TONS is ready
Tor launching, and the Dolphin, a dispatch steamer
q J. 500 tons, Is ready for delivery.
Certain adverse criticisms upon the designs OF
Aese cruisers are discussed by the Secretary, who
Ucnets that the correctness OF the conclusions
Nached by the Advisory Board and by the Depart
meat has been demonstrated by recent develop
ments In ship-butlding abroad.
The machinery OF The deuble-turreted monitors.
Puritan. Terror and Amphitrite, contracted for un-
e1 sas ACT q Marsh ls Is IN process OF con-
yeaE en- their armOr for lack OF the necessary ap-
preparations fourth monitor, the Monadnock,
stu remains unfinished at the navy-yard In Cali
y0fnlA IL Is recommended that early steps be
taken TO complete these vessels and to provide also
IN armament for the monitor Miantonoinoh
The recommendations or the Naval Advisory
Board, approved by the Department, comprise the
construction Of one steel cruiser or $500 TOMS one
cruiser OF 900 tons two heavily gunbOats
light cruising gunboat, one dispatch-vessel armed
With Hotcnktss cannon. one armorad ram, and
thfee torpedo boats The general designs. all OF
which are calculated to meet the existing wants
OF the service. are now well advanced, and the
soon as you snail grant the necessary authority.
THE JEANETTE EXPEDITION.
The act OF Congress approved August :, 1892. ari-
thor1zed the removal to the United States OF the
bodies OF Lieutenant Commander George W. De
Long and hts companions or the Jeannettee Expe-
oition- This removal has been successfully accom-
pfisned by LfeutenantS HARDER and SchuetZo. The
remains were taken nom their grave in the Lena
Delta In March, 1885, and were retained at Yakutsk
advanced TO admit OF their immediate transporta-
ton. They arrived at New YORK February %,
1884, where they were received with suitable hon
orS
TIE GREELY PARTY RELIEF EXPEDITION.
IN pursuance OF the joint resolution Of Congress
approved February -, 1884, naval expedition was
lifted out for the relief of Lieut. A. ". Greedy
United States Army, and or the party who had been
engaged under his command in scientific obsar-
vattons At Lady Franklin Bay. The feet consisted
OF the steam seaIer Thatis purchased in England
the Bear, purchased at ST. Johns. Newfoundland,
ana the Alert, which was generously provided by
the British Government. Preparations for the eX-
petition were promptly made by the Secretary Of
tne Nasy with the active cooperation OF the Sec
Rotary OF War. Commander George w. Conin was
placed In command OF the Alert. and Lieut.. William
II. EMORY In command OF the Bear. The ThetiS
was Entrusted 10 Commander Winfield S. Schley, TO
whom also was assigned the superintendent OF the
entire expedition
Immediately upon IT'S arrival at Upernavik, the
1get began the dangerous navigation Of Melville
Bay, and In spite or every obstacle reached Little
1o0 Island On June Y, fortnight earlier than any
vessel had before attained that point. On the same
Gay IL crossed over TO Cape Sabine, where Lieu
tenant Greedy and the other survivors his party
were Uncovered After taking on board the living
and the bodies OF the Dead the relief ships sailed
Xhe{ were appropriately received at Portsmouth,
g. H., on August ], and at New York On August 8.
one OF the bodies was landed at the former place.
Inc otherS were put on shore at Governors Is
Ia0d, ana, WITH the exception or one which was
tnoeSfed In the National Cemetery, were forwarded
teence 10 the destinations Indicated by friends.
Inc organization anu conduct or this Relief Expe-
aon renects great credit upon all who contributed
IMPORTANCE OF RZHABILrTATING THE NAVY.
In this, the last Of the stated messages that
Snail have the honor transmit to the Congress OF
the Cnited States, cannot too strongly urge upon