The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1892-12-09
PR e sIpeNT's MESS ACE.

administration several difficult problema a
remained to be grappled with and solved
before tho efficiency in action of our ships
could be secured 1t il believed that as the
result OF new processes in the construction
OF armor plate our later ships will be
clothed with defensive plates of higher re-
slsting power than are found on any war
vessels afloat. Wowere without torpedoes
Tests have been made to ascertain the rela-
tive efficiency Of different constructions. a
torpedo has been adopted, and the work of
construction is now being carried on sue.
cessfully.
we We're without arnor piercing shells
ana without shop instructed and equipped
ior the construction of them. We are now
making what is believed to be projectile
superior to any before in use A smokeless
powder has been developed and q slow
burning powder for guns Of large caliber.
a nigh explosive capable Of use in shells
hred from service guns, has been found,
ana the manufacture of gun cotton has
oeen developed so that the question OF sup
ply is no longer in doubt
Naval Militia.
The development of naval militia.
which has been organized in eight states
and brought into cordial and cooperative
relations with the navy, is another inn
portant achievement. There are now en-
listed in these organizations 1, 800 men. and
they are likely to be greatly extended. I
recommend such legislation and appropria-
tions as will encourage and develop this
movement.
The recommendations Of the secretary
will, do not doubt, receive the friendly
consideration Of congress, for he has en-
ha ha 81, a
all those interested in the DEVELOPMENT of
our navy without any division upon parti.
san lines. | earnestly express the hope
that a work which has made such noble
progress may not now be staid
The wholesome influence for peace and
the increased sense Of security which our
citizens domiciled in other lands feel when
these magnificent ships under the Ameri-
can flag appear are already most gratefully
apparent. The ships from our navy which
will appear in the great naval parade next
April in the harbor of New York will be n
convincing demonstration to the world
that the United States is again naval
power.
The report Of the secretary shows n very
gratifying state of facts as to the condition
of the general land office The work of is
suing agricultural patents, which seemed
TO be hopelessly in arrear when the present
secretary undertook the duties of his Office.
has been so expedited that the bureau is
now upon current business. The relief
thus afforded to honest and worthy settlers
upon the public lands, by giving to them
an assured title to their entries, has been
of incalculable benefit in developing the
new states and the territories
Pensions.
The report Of the commissioner of pen
sions, to which extended notice is given by
the secretary of the interior in his report,
will attract great attention. Judged by
the aggregate amount of work done, the
last year has been the greatest in the his
tory of the office. believe that the organ
ization of the Office is efficient, and that the
work has been done with fidelity.
The passage of what is known as the dis
ability bill has, as was foreseen. very large
ly increased the annual disbursements to
the disabled veterans of the civil war The
estimate for this fiscal year was $li4 1856 900,
and that amount was appropriated. \ de.
ficiency amounting to 0,50S, ,62l must be
provided for at this session. The estimate
for pensions for the fiscal year ending June
80, 1894, is SlCj, 10000
The commissioner of pensions believes
are maintained and further additions to
the pension laws are not made the maxi
mum expenditure for pensions will be
reached June 80, 1894, and will be at the
highest point $lSS, 100000 per annum.
| adhere to the views expressed in pre-
vious messages that the care of the dis
abled soldiers of the war of the rebellion is
matter of national concern and duty
Perhaps no emotion cools sooner than that
of gratitude, but cannot believe that this
process has yet reached point with our
people that would sustain the policy of re-
mittng the care of these disabled veterans
to the inadequate agencies provided by local
laws.
The parade on the Goth of September last
upon the streets Of this capital of 10000 of
the surviving Union veterans OF the war
of the rebellion was a most touching and
thrilling episode, and the rich and gracious
welcome extended to them by the District |
of Columbia and the applause that greeted |
their progress from tens of thousands Of |
people from all the states did much to re-
vive the glorious recollections Of the grand |
review, when these men and many thou |
sand others now in their graves were well |
coined with grateful JOY as victors in a
struggle in which the national unity, honor |
and wealth were all at issue.
In my last annual message called atten- |
ton to the fact that some legislative action |
was necessary in order to protect the inter |
ests OF the government in its relations with |
the Union Pacific railway. The commits |
sioner of railroads has submitted very |
full report, giving exact information as TO |
the debt, the liens upon the company's |
and its resources
Quarantine.
We must deal with the question as we
find it and take that course which will, |
under existing conditions, best secure the
interests of the United States. / recon-
mended in my last annual message that
commission be appointed TO deal with this
question, and | renew that recommenda-
ton and suggest that the commission be
given full power
The report of the secretary Of agriculture
contains not only a most interesting state
ment of the progressive and valuable work
done under the administration of Secretary
Rusk, but many suggestions for the en-
larged usefulness of this important depart
ment. The suggestions of the secretary
for an enlargement of the work of the de-