River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1884-12-04

and harbors and Sc. zoo, 900 in expenditures
for the quartermaster's department. Out
side OF that department the annual expenses
for all the army bureaus proper Except
probably the ordnance bureaus) are sub
srantialiy liked charges which cannot be ma
terially diminished without a change in the
numerical strength of the army. The ex-
penses IN the quartermasters department
can readily be subjected 20 administrative
discretion, and it is reported by the secre-
tary OF war that as a result of exercising
such discretion in reducing the num-
Der of draught and pack animals in
the army, the annual cost of supply
ing and caring for such animals is now
81 los, 0S0.9O less than it was in 1882.
| The reports of military commanders show
that the last year has been notable for its
| freedom from Indian outbreaks In defiance
of the presidents proclamation OF july ],
1884, certain intruders sought to make SET
Elements in the Indian Territory. They
were promptly removed by detachment of
troops. During the past session of congress
a bill to provide suitable fre-ploof build
ing for the army medical museum and the
library of the surgeon generals office re-
ceived the approval of the senate A similar
bill, reported fayorably to the house of rep
resentatives by one OF its committees, is still
pending before that body. IL is noped that
during the coming session the mea sur
may become a law, and thereafter imme-
diate steps may be taken to secure place of
safe deposit for the valuable collections now
in state of insecurity The funds with which
the works for the improvements OF rivers
and harbors were prosecuted during the past
year were derived from the appropriations
OF the act of Aug. 2, 1882, together with
such few balances as We're on hand from pre-
vious appropriations The balance of the
treasury subject to requisition July i, 1883,
was $40, 02l $40 90. The amount appro-
priated during the fiscal year 1884 was
1913, 196, 1916. 27 and the amount drawn from
the treasury during the fiscal year was
SIS, 22S, FOB. 54, leaving balance of $3, H.,
$50 63 in the treasury subject to requisition
July l, 1884.
sEAcoAsF DEFENsEs.
The secretary of war submits the report of
the chief of engineers as to the practicable
ity of protecting our important cities on the
seaboard, by fortifications and other de-
lenses able to repel modern methods OF at
tack The time has now come when such
defenses can be prepared with confidence
that they will not prove abortive; and when
the possible results of delay in making such
preparations is seriously considered, DELAY
see. rs ineXcusable. For the most important
cities. those whose destruction or capture
would be a national humiliation, adequate
defenses, inclusive of guns. may be made by
the gradual expenditure of $3.50, 000, 600,
a sum much less than victorious enemy
could levy as contribution. An appropria-
ton of about cne-tenth of that amount is
asked TO begin the work, and concur with
the secretary Of war in urging that it be
granted The war department is proceed
ing with the conversion of ten-inch smooth
bore guns into Gght-inch rifles, by lining the
former with tabes of forged or of cold
wrought iron. Fifty guns will be thus con-
verified within tie year. This, however, does
not obviate the necessity of providing means
for the construction of guns o. the high
est power, but fDr the purposes of coast de-
Tense and for the armament OF war vessels
The report of the gun foundry board APP
pointed April 2, 1888. in pursuance of the
act of March 8 1888, was transmitted to
congress in a special message OF Feb. =, 1854
In my message of March 20, 1884, called
attention to the recommendation of the
board that the government should encourage
the production ut private steel works of the
required material fer heavy canrons, and
that two government factories, one for the
army and one for the navy, should be estab-
lished for the fabrication of guns of such
material No action having been taken,
the board was subsequently reconvened
to determine more fully the plans and esti-
mates for carving ont its recommendations
1t has received information which indicates
that there are responsible steel manufactur-
ers in this country who, although not pro-
vided at present with the necessary plant,
are willing to construct the same and to
make bids for contracts with the govern
nent for the supply OF the requisite material
for the heaviest Guns adapted to modern war
fare, if a guaranteed order of sufficient mag
nitude accOmpanedby positive appropria-
ton extending over 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 ac-
ton be taken by congress as viii enable the
government to construct its own ordnance
upon its own territory, and so to provide the
ornaments demanded by considerations OF
national safety and honor.