The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-12-05

Congress as viii enable the Govern
ment TO construct its own ordnance
upon its own territory, ana so 10 pro-
vide the ornaments demanded by con-
sideratlons OF national safety and
honor.
THE NEW STEEL CRUISERS.
The report of the Secretary of the
Navy exhibits the progress which has
been made OH the new steel cruisers
authorized by the acts of August s,
1882 and March 3, 1888. Or the four
vessels under contract, one the Chica-
90. OF 1850 tons, is more than half
finished; the Atlanta, 5000 tons, has
been successfully launched and her
machinery is now fitting; the Boston,
also of 5000 tons. is ready for launch
ing, and the Dolphin, u despatch
steamer OF 1880 tons, is ready for
delivery.
Certain adverse criticisms upon the
designs OF these cruisers are discussed
by the Secretary, who insists that the
correctness or the conclusions reached
by the Advisory Board, and by the de-
plrtment, has been demonstrated by
recent development in ship-building
abroad.
THE MONITORS.
The machinery of the double-turret-
ed monitors, Puritan. Terres and
Amphitrite, contracted for under Act
OF March 3, 1888, is in process of con-
struction. No work has been done
during the past year OH their armor. for
lack Of the necessary appropriations
A fourth monitor, the MOnadnOck, still
remains unfinished at the Navy Yard
in California. 1t is recommended that
early steps be taken to complete these
vessels, and TO provide also an arma-
ment for the monitor Miantonomah.
The recommendations of the Naval
Advisory board, approved by the de-
partment, comprise the construction of
one steel cruiser of 1850 tons, and one
cruiser of 5000 tons, two heavily-armed
gnnboats, one light cruising gunboat,
one despatch 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,
ton of the vessels can be undertaken
as soon as you shall grant the necessary
authority.
THE ARCTIC EXPEDITIONS.
The act of Congress approved Au-
gust Z, 1882, authorized the removal to
the United States of the bodies of
Lieutenant Commander George w.
De Long and his companions of the
Jeanette expedition. This removal
has been successfully accomplished by
Lieutenants HARDER and SchuetZe.
The remains were taken from their
grave in the Lena Delta in March, 1888,
and were retained at Yakutsh until the
following winter, the season being too
far advanced to admit of their immedi-
ate transportation. They arrived at
New York, February 20, 1884, where
they were received with suitable hon.
ors. In pursuance of the joint resolu
ton of Congress, approved February
Is, 1884, naval expedition was fitted
out for the relief of Lieutenant A. w
Greedy, United States army, and of the
party who had been engaged under his
command i'm scientific observations at
Lady Franklin Bay. The fleet consist
ed of the steam sealer Thetis. purchas-
ed in England, the Bear, purchased at
st. Johns, N. F., and the Alert. which
was generously provided by the British
Government. Preparations for the ex.
petition were promptly made by the
Secretary of the Navy, with the active
cooperation of the Secretary of War.
Commander G.. w. Coffin was placed in
command of the Alert, and Lieutenant
w. Ii. Emory i'll command of the Bear.
The ThetiS was entrusted to Command
er Winfield $. COpely, to whom also
was assigned the superintendent of
the entire expedition. Immediately
upon its arrival at Upernavik the fleet
began the dangerous navigation of Mel
vile Bay, and, i'm spite of every Obsta-
Gle, reached LittletOn Island ON June
pa fortnight earlier than any vessel
had before attained that point. On the
same day it crossed over to Cape Sa-
bine, where Lieutenant Greedy and 9TH
er survivors of his party were discOv-
cred. After taking on board the liv-
ing and the bodies of the dead the re-
lief ships sailed for st. Johns, where
they arrived on July II. They were
appropriately received at Portsmouth,
n. H., OH August /, and at New York
on August 8. One of the bodies was
landed at the former place. The others
were put OH shore at Governors Island,
and, with the exception of one which
was inferred in the National Cemetery,
were forwarded thence to the destina-
ton indicated by friends. The Organi-
zatiOn and conduct of this relief eXpe-
dition reflect great credit upon all who
contributed 10 us SuCceSS.
THE NAVY.
In this, the last of the state messages
that [ shall have the honor to transmit
to the Congress of the United States,
cannot too strongly urge on its atten-
ton the duty of restoring our navy as
rapidly rs possible to the high state of
efficiency which formerly characterized
it. AS the long peace that has lulled
us into sense of fancied security may
at any time be disturbed. it is plain
that the policy of strengthening this
arm of the service, is dictated by con-
siderations of use and economy; of
Just regard for our future tranquility,
and Of true appreciation of the dignity
and honor of the republic.
TUE POSTAL SERVICE.
The report of the Postmaster Gener-
al acquaints you with the present con-
dition and needs of the postal service.
1t discloses the gratifying fact that the
loss of revenue from the reduction of
the rate in letter postage, as recon-
mended in my message of December,
1882, and affected by the act of March
3, 1888, has been much less than was
generally anticipated. My recOmmen-
dation of this reduction was based up