The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-07-01
AT THE CAPITAL.
The Work Of Reducing Ex-
penses Continues.
NEW WAR VESSELS.
Putting the West Point Graduates at
Work by Attaching Them
to Regiments.

~ AS06AAAA0AAG<s i
WASHINGTON, June 26.-It is stated at |
the White House to-day that no change
will be made in the office Of Collector Of |
Customs at New York before next week.
Mr.. Robertson's term of Office expires on
the 28th inst, and there is possibility of
his retaining office until the LIST prox.
The Butler House force of Senate en-
ployes consisting of two messengers at
salaries of 81, ,44O each, two janitors at
$500 and several laborers at $72O, viii be
dropped from the pay rolls Of the Sergeant
alarms at the end Of the present month.
These men are nearly all Republicans. At
the same time one assistant door-keeper Of
Slie Senate at $500, two messengers at
$144O each and one employe in the fold
are Democrats one is a Republican and
the politics OF the other is unknown.
MAKING NEW GUNS.
The four years term for which Commo-
dore Montgomery Sicard was appointed to
act as Chief of Bureau of Ordnance Of the
Navy Department will expire on the Both
inst. It is understood that he will be re-
appointed, Several officers were desirous
of obtaining the position, but they have
withdrawn all claims to it, because Of a
general understanding that Commodore ST.
card will be reappointed. During Commo-
dore Sicard's incumbency he has endeavor-
ed to improve the ordnance of the navy.
For several months the bureau has been
manufacturing guns for the new cruisers
and it is expected these will be completed
by the time the vessels are ready for SER
vice. One six-inch gun, which is being first
completed, has been known as q gun to be
placed on the dolphin" if she is accepted.
It is pronounced by the Naval Officers to
have performed extremely well. Some go
so far as to say it is the best gun ot the
kind that has ever been made. The esx,-
sion from about 27O shots is SO slight that
it is scarcely noticeable. Five additional
six-inch guns and two eight-inch guns will
be taken to the proving ground at an early
date.
General Anger has reported to the War
Department that he has sixteen companies
ten of cavalry and six OF infantry-at
Fort Reno, Indian Territory. The last
company arrived at the fort to-day. The
General apprehends no immediate out
break of the Cheyenne Indians. They have
been informed OF the proposed appointment
of a commission to investigate their trouble
and express their willingness to await the
result.
scHLEY's SCHOOL.
The school proposed by Commodore
Schley for the instruction OF seamen in the
improved armament OF modern vessels will
open at the navy yard in this city on July
1st. A class OF twenty sailors has been Sc
lected Commodore Schley hopes to open
with a class OF twenty members at Newport
on August 1st. The latter class will re-
ceive torpedo instructions for six months,
at the end of which period it will come to
Washington, and the class here will 60 TO
Newport. The instruction at the two
points will conclude at the end OF one
year, when new classes Will De
formed. Only sailors who are enlisted
in continuous service are admitted to the
| school. "These men," said Commodore
Schley to-day, "are to go on vessels at the
end OF years instruction and act as
|steachers of the other men who may be on
board, Our sailors have not kept up with
| the advance in gun machinery. The Gov
ern1nent is to blame for this, for since the
war there has been no attempt at improve
| ment in guns made until within
| the past year. Now we have no improved
guns nor men to handle themif they should
| be obtained If ball was fired at mod
ern vessel it would be like a pea snapped at
| a window pane. We expect to secure new
| guns and will need men to handle them."
I 1t is expectedsthat the recent graduates
at the West Point Military Academy will
be assigned to various regiments when Sec
| retary Endicott returns to Washington
next week. There are thirty-nine gradu-
ates.
WHERE THEY WILL GO.
| At the present time there exists fifty-four
| vacancies among the officers OF the army,
OF which sixteen are in the cavalry branch,
| seven in the artillery, twenty-nine in the IN
| fantry and two in the engineering corps.
| Afterkthe assignment of the West Point
graduates the non-commissiOned officers,
who have passed examinations by boards
| convened by the various departments Will
| he assigned Twelve men were ordered De-
| fore the examination boards, and 1T Is be-
| lieyed that six of them have successfully
nassed their examinations. This will make
a total of forty-five men to be assigned.
leaving nine vacancies to be filled. Inc ques-
| ton has been raised whether or not these
vacancies will be filled by civilians or De
| allowed to remain untitled until the gradu-
alton of the large class OF 1880 at West
Point next year. 1t is thought that the
President will appoint civilians to the po-
| sitions and allow Congress to provide Tor
the prospective graduates.
| Naval Paymasters Deering and Barton,
Of the Papmaster-G Generals office, were de-
tached from duty to-day, and placed on
waiting orders. This action was taken be-
cause it was thought best to have the ohce
in new hands during the court martial OF
Tho chief of the bureau, and not because
the officers named were thought to have
had any connection with the irregularities
charged against the head OF the division.
THE NEW VESSELS.
number of plans and specifications for
new naval vessels provided for at the last
session of Congress have been received al
the Nayv Department. In circular call
inc for the plans and proposals, Secretary
Whitney specified that they should be sub.
n,;tted bv July 18th. The circular called
for nlans for four vessels. The Bureau OF
CONSTRUCTION and the Bureau OF Steam
Engineering of the Navy Department. wlll
submit plans for them all, the former fol
hulls and the latter for machinery and
engines. 1t is not known thac any oIllel
sonrce will offer plans for the entire number
Several plans for single vessels will be sub
oitted by naval officers. and it il
exnected that plans will be received
fram shin builders. Naval Constructor
Mentovne of the Brooklyn yards vii
, furnis6 plnns for the three vessels. Tht
, frst ia TO cost about 81 ,5OO,O 900; to be
, 95O feet by 48 feet; to run 18 knots pei
bonr Her armament will consist OF 2!
3 guns and she will carry about 400 men ane
r Officers The second vessel Will oe go leeo
Nv 16 feet. and her battery will consist
* guns. The third vessel will be 225 lee
carrying an armament of IA guns. IN
+ vessels are modelled after the Englisi
t cruisers. Some enterprising but imagin
+ atiye individuals have also been submit
8 ting propositions. One offers plan ior !.. r.
wessel that will float on tol
OF the water beneatht and and IN nasa %nar s,eate at
sneed than any bird or anything man ha
;ppvented." Others are submitting simjla
;,nnracticable schemes for parts OF vessels
e Seer Secretary Whitney is not desir9us OF ex x
' nerimenting with new schemes. He rathe
0 favors the adoption OF models "f the bes
n cruisers built by foreign powers, with sucl
: improvements as can be added by Amer
n can ship builders.
e