The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1888-12-06
ARMY AND NAVY.
Quotation From the Secretaries Re-
ports-Death Of Gen. Sheridan-The
nd

The secretary of war reports that the army Of
the date Of the last consolidated returns con-
sisted of 9, 1S9 officers and 24.549 enlisted men
The actual expenditures of the war department
for the fiscal year ended June so, 1898,
amounted to $41. 165. .101O7, of which sum
So, l5S.516. SO was expended for public works,
including river and harbor improvements. The
board Of ordnance and fertilization" provided
for under the act approved Sept. % last. was
convened Oct. 80 1888. and plans and specifica-
tions for procuring forgings for g, 10 and 12-
inch guns under provision uf section 4. and also
for procuring 12 inch breech-leading mortars,
cast-irou. hooped with steel, under the provi-
sions Of section of the said act. were submitted
to the secretary OF war for reference to the board
by the ordnance department of the same date.
These plans and specifications having been
promptly approved by the board and the secre-
tary of war, the necessary authority to publish
advertisements inviting proposals throughout
the country was granted bv the secretary on
Nov. -. and on Nov. Is the advertisements were
sent out to the different newspapers designated.
The bids for the steel forging are to be opened
on Dec. 20, 1883, and for the mortars on Dec.
15, 1883. board of ordnance officers was con-
vened at the Watervllet arsenal on Oct. 4. 1888,
to prepare the necessary plans and specifications
for the establishment of an army gun factory at
that point. The preliminary report of this board.
with estimates for ship building and officers
quarters was approved by the board of ordnance
and fortif cations Nov. and s. The specifica-
tions and form of advertiseme and instruc-
tions to bidders have been prepared, and adver-
tion for the
SHIP BUILDING
and for erecting the two sets of officers quar-
ters have been published. The detailed draw
ings and specifications for the gun factory build
ing are well in hand, and will be flushed within
three or four months. when bids will be invited
for the erection of the building. The list of
machines, etc., is made out and it is expected
that the plans for the large lathes. etc. viii he
completed within about four months, and after
approval by the board of ordnance and fortifica-
tion bids for the furnishing of the same will be
invited. The machines and other fixtures will
be completed as soon as the shop is in readi-
ness to receive them-probably about 1890
Under the provisions of the army bill for the
procurement of pneumatic dynamite guns the
necessary specifications are now being pre-
pared. ard advertisements for proposals.
will will issSs early ss 9 in r., The
and fire projectile that will carry charge each
OF about five hundred pounds of explosive GEL
atine with full caliber projectiles. The guns
will probably be delivered in from six to ten
months from the date of the contract, so that all
the guns of this class that can be procured un-
der the provisions of the law will be purchased
during the year 1883. earnestly request that
the recommendations contained in the secre-
tarys report, all of which are in my opinion cal
culated to increase the usefulness and discipline
OF the army, may receive the consideration of
the congress-. Among these the proposal that
there should be provided plan for the examina-
tion Of officers, to test their ftness for promo
tion, is Of the utmost Importance, This referm
has been before recommended In the reports of
the secretarv, and its expediency is SO fully
demonstrated by the arguments In its favor that
its adoption should no longer be neglected.
THE DEATH OF GEN. SHERIDAN
In August last was national afflictf3n The
army then lost the grandest Of its cafefs The
country lost brave and experienced soldier q
wise and discreet commander aud modest and
sensible man. Those who in any manner came
within the range of his personal association will
never fail to pay deserved and willing homage
to his greatness aud the glory Of his career but
they will cherish with more tender sensibility
the lovtnR memory cf the simple. generous and
considerate nature,
The Apache Indians, whose removal from their
reservation In Arizona followed the capture of
those OF their number who engaged in q
bloody and murderous raid during part Of the
years 1888 and 1856, are now held as prisoners
or Alabama. They numbered ON the 31st dav
Of October. the date Of the last report. 80 men,
10 women. 20 boys aud 50 glrls. in all SS3
persons. Tho commanding officer states
that they are In good health and
contented, and that they are kept employed as
fully as is possible under the circumstances
The children. as thcx &srivo st suitable age
are sent to the indian schools at Carlisle and
Hampton. Laat summer sonls charitable and
kind people asked perp.sson to send two teach-
ers to these indians for the purpose of instruct~
ing the adults. ~ well rs such children as should
be found there. Such permission was readily
granted, accommodations were provided for the
teachers. and some PORTIONS OF the buildings at