The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-06-04
Defend the Seaports!

fore it most important bill for supplying
adequate ornaments to tho coast fortinca-
lions. Tho estimates OF Gen. FLAGLER for
this purpose aggregate about S4.50o.Ooo. or
less thnn one-fourth the amount carried by
the River aud Harbor bill and each item OF
the estimates is accompanied by note OF
explanation showing its urgent necessity.
Tho present condition OF the coast defence
question can best be understood bya glance
at what has been done toward its solution.
At tho close OF the civil war in 1865 the
United States probably possessed the most
powerful ordnance in the world. 1t in
Guided large numbers Of 15-inch smooth
bore, cast-iron guns. carrying projectiles
Weighing $50 pounds. while to these were
aiterward added two 2o-inch guns, with pro-
icc.ilcs Weighing 1850 pounds. They rep
resented tho maximum power ever at
tanned with cast-iron, smooth-bore guns.
But during the years OF peace that
followed very little money swas de-
voted in this country to the arma-
mcnt of Notifications. Foreign nations
meanwhile had already turned their
attention from cast-iron to wrought-iron
and steel guns, and the development or
riilcd gun ordnance was also going on
rapidly. AS tho manufacture OF cast iron
had attained 4 high degree Of perfection with
us, our first efforts were naturally directed
to constructing ritied guns Of that mate
rial. especially as there were no establish
ments capable Of producing either the steel
or wrought-iron forgings required for tho
larger calibres Of riiled guns. But these
efforts proved disappointing; while in the
lack Of adequate appropriations by Con-
gross. no private establishment would put
in tho plant necessary to make steel or
wrought-iron forgings.
At length. in 1888. tho present system Of
forged steel. built-up guns was begun under
the provisions OF the net Of March 8. which
embodied some OF the recommendations OF
tho Getty Board. At that time the steel
forgngs for guns OF 6-inch caibre had bcen
found to be within the capacity Of some of
our steel works. and the hooped forgings
for larger calibres. The Ordnance Depart
ment OF the army accordingly carried on
side by side experimental work and
practical gun construction under this act
OF 1893. Unfortunately its lahors and the
whole system Of coast defence received Il
discouraging check from the failure OF
Congress to make any appropriation for
the ornaments Of Notifications either in
1886 or 1887. But great step forward
was taken by the act OF Sept. %.
1888. which provided for the establishment
OF an army gun factory at Watervliet
Arsenal. the purchase OF steel gun forgings
for tho s-inch, lO-inch. and Pinch calibres.
the construction Of type guns. and the de-
velopment Of rillcd mortars. modern pow
der. and new models Of gun carriages. In
a little over n year the central section and
nerth wing Of the gun factory were erected,
the smaller machines set up. and tho work
begun. In the lack OF large lathes the Ord
nance Department made its own designs
for them before giving out the contracts.
The appropriation acts OF 1890 and 1891
pushed on the completion and equipment OF
the factory and the supply Of gun forgings
and riiled mortars. Now at length final
appropriation Is asked for the purpose OF
completing the gun factory. If this appro-
priation is granted. the Watervlict factory
will be fully established at the end of the
year 1895. so as to turn out annually twelve
S-inch guns. fifteen 1o-inch. fifteen l2-inch.
and three 1G-inch. or their equivalents. Ex-
elusive OF tho lG-inch forgings. it will then
require an appropriation of only about
Sl.OO0.0OO each year to supply tho steel for
keeping tho factory in full operation. Con-
sress has already provided for purchasing
from private manufacturers ono hundred
seacoast guns.
Such is the story. in brief. Of the work
hitherto dono by Congress and tho Ord
nance Department. 1t would be n great
mistake should the Frty-sccond Congress
now check this work ~ the present session
by pairing down the very moderate esd
mates made by Gen. FLAGLEu for It's con-
tinuance. These estimates have been made
on the assumption that the people Of this
country desire that protection shall he fur
nished for their ocean frontiers us rapidly
as n sound economy in OUTLAWS will permit
This assumption is justified by the general
approval given to the provision for buying
ono hundred guns from private manuflc-
turcrs, although it would cost much less to
make them at Watcrvlict If the country
could wait for them. Tho pending est
mates. therefore, are simply directed to
utilizing the full capacity of tho Watervliet
factory by providing gun forglngs enough
to keep at work the machines already there,
and those that can be put in position dur
ing the next twelve months.
The Senate Is now to take its turn in
studying these estimates: In considering
them its aim should be not to do tho least
possible for coast defence. but all that can
be done judiciously. While economy is al
ways desirable. yet. az a President OF the
United States said half century ago.
parsimony alone could suggest the with
holding OF the necessary means for the pro-
lection Of our domestic tlrcsidrs from inya-
sion and our national honor from disgrace"
After such protection has been assured, the
reduction OF supplies for coast defence will
be in order.
The "One Man. One Vote" Movement
In Great Britain.
AS the lone Man. One Vote" principle is
to figure conspicuously in the Gladstonan
programme Mt the approaching general
election, it is worth while to mark what can
be said for and against it.. The arguments
on both sides We're set forth tho other day