Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-12-03

Inc reports of military commanders show that
the iast year has beennotable for its freedom from
Indian outbreaks. LII q, tiance of the Presidents
proclamation of July l. 1884, certain intruders
sought 10 make settlements in the Indian Terri
ment OF troops
During the past session of Congress a bill to
proVlue suitable fire-proof building for the
Army Medical Museum and the library of the
surgeon-general's Office received the approval of
the senate. A similar bill reported tavorably to
inc Rouse OF Representatives by one of its com
mlCCees Is still pending before that body 1t Is
hopeu mat during the coming session the meas
ure may become law, and thereafter immediate
stePs may be taken to secure a place of safe de-
poslt Tor these valuable collections in state
of insecurity
The funds with which the works for the i'm
proVement of rivers and harbOrs were prosecuted
uuilns tne past year were derived from the ap-
preparations of the act of August 2, 1892 together
Win such few balances as were on hand from
previous appropriations The balance in the
treasury subject to requisition July l, 1888 was
$lO,Oll ,649.55. The amount appropriated during
the fiscal year 1884 was $3, 1876, 346 27, and the
amount drawn from the treasury during the fiscal
year was $S,228 703.54 leaving balance of SO, 112
l, 1884.
The Secretary of War submits the report of the
ChleI or Engineers as to the practicability of
protecting our important cities on seabOard by
tortIhcations and other defenses able to repel
mouern methods of attack. The time has now
come when such defenses can be prepared with
confidence that they will not prove abortive; and
when the possible result Of delay in making such
preparations is seriously considered, delay seems
1neXcuSable. For the most important cities,
those whose destruction or capture would be q
nauonal humiliation, adequate defense, inclu-
slVe OF guns, may be made by the gradual ex-
pend1ture OF S600G0,000, sum much less than @
victorious enemy could levy q contribution.
An appropriation of about one-tenth of that
amount is asked to begin the work, and con
eur with the Secretary of War in urging that it
be granted.
The War Department is proceeding with the
conversion of 10inch smooth bore guns into
~ nr111nT Ii fI1h of
forge or of cold wrought iron. Fifty guns will
be thus converted with this year. This however,
does not obyiate the necessity of providing means
tor the construction of guns of the highest power
for the purposes of coast defense and for the
armament of war vessels.
The report of the gun foundry board appointed
April z, 1883, in pursuance of the act of March g.
1888. was transmitted to Congress in a special
message OF February 8, 1884. In my message of
March 26, 1884, called attention to the recon-
mendation of the board that the government
should encourage the production of a 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 es-
tablished for the fabrication of guns of such ma
terial No action having been taken, the board
was subsequently reconvened to determine
more fully the plans and estimate
for carrying out Its recommendations.
1t has received information which
indicates that there are responsible steel manu-
facturers in this country who although not pro-
v1ded at present with the necessary plant are
willing to construct the same and TO make bids
for contracts with the government for the supply
OF the requisite materials for the heaviest guns
adapted to modern warfare, if a guaranteed
order of sufficient magnitude, accompanied by q
positive appropriation extending over series
of years, shall be made by Congress. All doubts
as to the feasibility of the plan being thus re-
moved, / renew my recommendation that such
action be taken by Congress as will enable the
government to construct its own ordnance upon
It's own territory, and so to provide the arma-
ments demanded by considerations of national
safety and honor.
rrJI
The report of the secretary of the navy exhib
its the progress which has been made in the new
steel cruisers authorized by the acts of August 5,
1882, and March g. 1888. OF the four vessels IN
der contract, one, the Chicago of 4 500 tons, is
more than half finished; the Atlanta, 5000 TONS
has been successfully launched, and her machin-
cry is fitting the Boston, also of 900 TONS is
ready for launching, and the Dolphin, dispatch
steamer of 800 tons, is ready for delivery. Ger
tain adverse criticisms upon the, de-
signs of these cruisers are discussed by
the secretary who insists that the correctness
of the conclusions reached by the advisory board
and by the department has been demonstrated by
recent developments in ship-building abroad
The machinery of the double-turreted monitors
Puritan, Terror, and Amplitude, contracted for
under the act of March 3, 1888, is in process of
construction. No work has been done during the
past year their armor for lack of the necessary
appropriations. fourth monitor, the Monad-
mock, still remains unfinished at the navy
that early steps be taken to complete these
vessels and to provide also an armament for
the monitor M1antOnOmah. Inc recommendations
OF the naval advisory board, approved by the de.
partment, comprise the construction of one steel
cruiser OF 4,500 tons, one cruiser of 5000 TONS
two heavily armed gun-boats, one light cruising
gun boat, one dispatch vessel armed with Hotch-
kiss cannon, one armored ram, and three torpedo
boats. The general designs, all Of which are
calculated to meet the existing wants of the
service, are now well advanced, and the con-
struction of the vessels can be undertaken as
soon as you shall grant the necessary authority
The act of Congress approved August T. 1882,
QI1fh RI no Init 6 Cfotn
the bodies of Lieut.. Commander Geo. w. belong
and his companions of the Jeanette expedition.
The removal has been successfully accomplished
by Lieuts. Harbor and Schultz. The remains
were ia en- from their graves in the Lena delta in
March, 1885, and were retained at Yakulsk I'M
til the following winter, the season being too
far advanced to admit of their immediate trans
portaton. They arrived at New York February
20, 1884, where they were received with suitable
honors.
In pursuance of the Joint resolution of Con-
gress, approved February Is, 1884, a naval expe-
dition was fitted out for the relief of Lieut.. A w.
Greedy, U. S. A, and OF the party who had been
engaged under his command in scientific obser-
walton at Lady Franklin Bay. The fleet consisted
OF the steam sealer Thetls, purchased in England,
the Bear, purchased at ST. Johns New Found
land and the Alert. which was generously pro-
ylded by the British government. Preparations
for the expedition were promptly made by the
secretary the navy, with the active co-opera-
w. Coffin was placed in command of the Alert,
and Lieut.. w. H Emery in command ofthe Bear
The Thetis was entrusted to Commander Winfield
S. Schley, to whom also was assigned
the Superintendent of the entire expedi-
ton. Immediately upon its arrival at
Upernayik the feet began the dangerous naviga-
ton of Melville Bay and in spite Of every OBJ
stacle reached Lttleton Island on June %, fort
night earlier than any vessel had before attained
that point. On the same day it crossed over to
Cape Sabine, where Lieut.. Greedy and other sur
v1vors OF his party were discovered. After taking
on board thr living and the bodies of the dead,
the relief ships sailed for ST. Johns, where they
arrived on July is. They were appropriately re-
ceived at Portsmouth on August /, and at New
York on August 8. One of the bodies was landed
at the former place and the others were put on
shore at Governors Island and with the excep-
ton OF one which was inferred in the National
Cemetery were forwarded thence to the 0estina-
ton indicated by friends. The organization and
conduct of this relief expedition reflects great
credit upon all who contributed to it's success.
In this the last of the stated messages that
shall have the honor to transmit to the Con-
gress of the United States, I cannot too strongly
urge on its attention the duty of restoring our
navy as rapidly as possible to the high state of
efficiency which formerly characterized it. AS
the long peace that has lulled us into into
sense OF tancied security may at any time be
disturbed it is plain that the policy of strength
enlng this arm OF the service is dictated by con-
slderatlons of WISE economy, of just regard
Tor our future tranquility and of true appre-
citation Of the dignity and honor of the republic