Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1884-12-09


is still pending before that body. 1t
is hoped that during the coming ses-
sion the measure may become law,
and thereafter immediate steps may
be taken to secure a place of safe de-
post for these valuable collections,
now in state of insecurity.
The funds with which the works
for the
IMPROVEMENT OF RIVERS AND HAIR
BoRS
were prosecuted during the past wear
were derivedfromthe appropriations
of the act of March 2, 1882, together
with such few balances as were on
hand from previous appropriations.
The balance in the treasury subject
to requisiciOn July l, 1888, was
Yl0,O2l $3.50. The amount appro-
prlated during the fiscal year 1884
was $l,3l9,G34G2, and the amount
drawn from the Treasury during the
fiscal year was $S,22S, ,703.54, leaving
balance of SO, ll2 ,580.63 in the Treas
ury subject to requisition July l,
1884.
The Secretary of War submits the
report of the Chief of Engineers as to
the practicability of protecting our
important cities on the seaboard by
fortifications and other deienses, able
to repel modern methods of attacks.
The time has now come when such
defenses can be prepared with conf
dence that they will not prove
abortive; and when the possible re-
suit of delay in making such prep
aratlon is seriously considered, delay
seems inexcusable. For the most i'm
portant cities, those whose destruc-
ton or capture would be national
humiliation, adequate defenses, in
elusive of.guns. may be made by the
gradual expenditure of $60,000,000,
sum much less than a victorious
enemy could levy as a contribution.
An appropriation of about one-renth
OF that amount is asked to begin the
work, and | concur with the Secre-
tary of War in urging that it be
granted. The War Dep rt nent is
proceeding with the conversion of
lO-inch smooth-bore guns into 8-inch
rifles by lining the former with tubes
of forged or coiled wrought iron.
Fifty guns will be thus converted
within the year. This, however,
does not obviate the necessity of pro-
viding means for the construction of
the highest power, both fJr the pur-
poses of coast defense and for the ar.
mament of war vessels.
THE REPORT OF THE GUN FOUNDRY
BOARD
appointed April 2, 1888, in pursuance
of the act of March 3, 1883, was trans
milted to Congress in special mes
sage Of February 8, 1884 In my
message of March 26, 1881, l called
attention to the recommendation of
the board that the Government
should encourage the production Of
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 he established for the fabri-
cation Of guns from such material.
No action having been taken, the
board was subsequently reconvened
to determine more fully the plans
and estimates necessary for carry ing
out its commentators.
1t has received information which
indicates that there are responsible
steel manufacturers in this country
who although not provided at pres
ent with the necessary plant, are will
ling to construct the same and to
moke bids for contracts with the
Government for the supply of the
requisite material for the heaviest
guns adapted to modern warfare, if
guaranteed order of sufficient mag
niture, accompanied by pos tive APP
prol ration extending over a series of
years shall be made by Congress.
All doubts as to the feasibility Of the
plan being thus removed, | renew
my recommendation that such action
be taken by Congress as will enable
the Government to construct Its own
ordinance upon its own territory,
and so to provide the armaments de-
manded by considerations of nation
al safety and honor. The report of
the
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
exhibits the progress which has been
made on the new steel cruisers au-
thorized by the acts of August5, 1882,
and March 1888. OF the four vessels
under contract, one, the Chicago,
1900 tons, is more than half tini she'd.
The Atlanta, 5000 tons, has been
successfully launched, and her ma
chinery is now fitting. The Boston
also of 5000 tons, is ready for launch
ing, and the Dolphin, a despatch
steamer of 1909 tons, is ready to de-
liver. Certain adverse criticisms upon
the designs of the cruisers are dis
cussed by the Secretary, who insssts
that the correctness of the conclu-
sions reached by the Advisory Board
and by the Departments has been de-
monstrated by recent developments
in ship building abroad. The ma
chinery of the double-turreted moni-
tors, Puritan, Terror end Amphitrite,
contracted for under the act of March
2. 1883, is in process of construction.
No work has been done during the
past year on their armor for lack of
the necessary appropriations. A
fuurth 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 an arnas
ment for the monitor Miantono-
mon. The recommendation of The
Naval Advisory board, approved by
the Department, comprise the con-
struction of one steel cruiser of A, 500
tons, one cruiser of 1900 tons, two
heavily-armed gun-boats, one light
cruising gun-boat, one disl atch yes
sci armed with IIolchkiss cannon,
one armored ram and three torpedo
boats, in general design, all of which
are calculated to meet the wants of
the service, are now well
advanced, and the construction of the
vessels can be undertaken as soon as
you shall grant the necessary author
ity.
The act of Congress approved
August 7, 1882. authorized the re-
moval to the United States of the
bodies Of of Lieutenant Commander
Geo. w. Del ono and his companions