New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-08

LAYS 0BvIATED IN THE PEN
SION sYsTEM-A BUREAU
OF INFORMATION.
vaox TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF Tribunal
Washington. June 2 President Harrison Is %
be congratulated upon the administration OF the
affairs Of the War Department, which is perhaps
enc Of the most important under the Government
II involves the expenditure of upwards OF hfty
millions Of dollars annually, the superintendcnce
of river and harbor improvements and various
public works throughout the country, and neces-
states an ever watchful eye on the free and un-
INSTRUCTED commerce along the seaboard ana
through navigable waterways. 1t requires the
most energetic action respecting defcnces, ana
ordnance in connection herewith, and, in addition
70 the various incidental matters pertaining 10
preserving and perfecting the records OF the war
OF the Rebellion and pensioners, careful manage
ment of the entire military system. not only with
respect to the United States Army. but the re-
laton which it bears the State military orsaniza-
lions throughout the country, the Improvement
and encouragement of which depend largely upon
the interest felt regarding them by the President
and Secretary Of War.
In all these respects the administration OF the
War Department for over three years has been
than in any previous period for thirty years
Nearly two hundred millions of dollars have been
managed and expended without the loss through
dcfalcation or official mshap. of single dollar to
the Government. River and harbor improvements
have steadily advanced, without prejudice TO the
rights of individuals corporations, and resulting
in untold public benefit Under the improved law
of 1890, authority was given 10 put certain puohc
works under continuing contracts, that is, con-
tracts made for the entire work. TO be paid for as
appropriations might from time TO time he made
In the instances wherein such contracts have been
entered into a saving has been effected of from
ten TO thirty-thrce per centum of tie estlnateh
cost and average prices paid for like work IN the
preceding ten years. Under that law greater care
is also taken to prevent the obstruction or impair
mcnt of navigation. All in all, it may he stated
that, under the present methods of conducting
river and harbor improvements. the best results
are obtained at less cost and with greater salts
faction than ever before in the history of the
country.
In the matter of sea-cOast dcfcnccs steady
progress has been made Despite tie repeated
reports Of the Chief of Engineers Of the Army
year after year, setting forth the deplorabe cond
ton Of our Naonal defenccs, the same Inefficient
condition that had existed since the close OF the
war was allowed to continue until August, 1890
when Republican Congress began the creation
of system of proposed defcnces and appropriated
nearly million and quarter for the construc
ton of gun and mortar batteries at Boston, New
York and San FranciSc0-the three great National
gateways 10 the American continent This APP
preparation was of vital importance 10 the country.
1t gave life to the system which had been pre-
pared by the engineer officers Of the Government
and urged by Republican Administrations for
years before That system embraced:
First-The armament of the heaviest rifle guns
mounted on disappearing carriages, which, While
widely dispersed. can concentrate their fire on the
enemys vessels, and which in range and pcnetra-
ton of projectiles will equal, if not exceed, the
heaviest fire that can be brought against them
by the most powerful feet, thus keeping the latter
at safe distance, or destroying IL Whiie a''c"PV
Ing 10 pass the mined areas.
Second-A well-dcvclopcd system OF submarine
mines planted in the channels and roadways ior
the purpose of holding the vessels or the enemy
Under the fire Of our guns, and preventing their
runninp the batteries and reaching the harbors
and cities. 49,
Third-Tie protection of these mined areas from
counter-mining and removal, by batteries oil rapid
firing guns of small cabre and wide heil oi
fire.
Eased unon this system, detailed projects un'ef
the direction of President Harrison for the delshce
~ onr principal scaboard cities ard roa1s'cSus
have bee, or are being prepared Such pf'!ec's
for tho defence Of Charleston ana SaNahhan die
now under consideration. 1aet year an adiiioii"'
sum Of $3.50, O0D was appropriated 70 continue w.
work Of construction of seacoast oeiehces' anu
Its application extended to include 'he oeiehoo VI
Hampton Roads and Washington
Tn addition to this Republican Congress. upon
-
m,nis,ration took into consideration the necessity
~. xo,oo,,ino the exterior line of defcnccs to
rrea,er distance from the Object which IL was
;r,.,ded IN cover: in other words the Keeping
80 ,bo ene,ny's feet at a point beyond bompard-
;rc distance The increase in heavy range VI
modern heavy rided guns over these oil ioini',
wears was found 10 be so great ae 10 niaNe e's''
s,d ton miles not an unreasonable distance HUM
a citv for its outer line Of defences Hence ai'''
the necessity Of acquiring sites, which IN ior"e'
years were not deemed either necessary or ia'o'-
able and a Republican Congress appropriate" o"'
million of dollars carry out the general pam "
pronosed by the War Department The poih' nus
NOW been reached when, by the continuance y,
denominations for coast defohce7' tne PoP
MI can he carried on Systematically ana Jio'-
o;o,.i, and if continued, will ensure greater
.,...ction Than was ever dreamed Oh IN l"r"0'
years. ,, no s,ated
With regard - heavy ordnance IL may De s'A' -,
.,., ,,here,s n few Years ago the United States III
,,r,s ~ emergency would have been at the mercy o,
anV Government that might have made war asa''''
II ,oseed wherca., until within the past five years
This Government, in time OF Val, would have oeen
amt in without heavy modern ordnance OF any
kind and without either the material or plants
% construct it, very different condition OF thines
now prevails, as result Of President Harrison
known views in this regard. IL war sho"io
occur from this time ON, the United States "oun
net only find itself in possession OF The guns "n,cn
President IIarrison's Administration has pr"''"0
:, vv;,h hu, would he in position to declare T.