The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-12-10

uneXcelled power ana accuracy.
At that date, however. there were prac-
tically no carriages upon which TO mount
these guns. and only thirty-one emplace-
ments for gus aid s.xty-four for mo. tars.
Nor were all of these enplacements
in condition TO receive their armament.
only one high power gun was at that
time in position for the defense of the en-
tire coast. Since that time the number
of guns actually completed have been IN
creased TO q total of twenty y inch, fifty
six 1O-inch, sixty-one S-inch, high power,
breech loading steel guns, ten rapid ire
guns and eighty y inch ritied mortars.
In addition there are in process OF con-
struction one 16-inch, high power gun
and sxty-six Pinch rified mortars; IN all
four hundred and twenty-eight guns and
mortars. During the same year, immed-
lately preceding the message referred to,
the first modern gun carriage had been
completed and eleven more were in pro
cess of construction. All but one were OF
the non-disappearing type. These now
ever, were not such as TO secure necessary
cover for the artillery gunners against
the intense fire Of modern machine, rapid
fire and high power guns. The inventive
genius ordnance and civilian experts
has been taxed in designing carriages
that would obviate this fault; resulting. 1t
is believed in the solution of this difficult
problem. Since 1893 the number Of gun
carriages constructed or building has been
raised to a total of one hundred and
twenty-nine; of which eighty-nine are on
the disappearing principle and the num-
Der of mortar carriages to one hundred
and ffty-two, while the ninety-fve en-
placements which were provided for
prior TO that time have been increased TO
two hundred and eighty, built and build
ing. This improved situation is largely
due TO the recent generous response OF
congress TO the recommendation Of the
war department. Thus we shall soon
have completed about one-ffth of the
complete system, the first step in which
was noted in the message to congress
of December 4th, 1893. When it is
understood that a masonry embankment
not only furnishes a platform for the
heavy, high power modern gun, but also
in every particular serves the purpose
and takes the place of the fort of former
days, the Importance of the work accom-
plished is better comprehended.. In the
hope that the work will be prosecuted
with no less vigor in the future, the Sec
rotary of war has submitted an estimate
which, if allowed, there will be
provided and either built and building
by the end of the next fiscal year such adj
ditional guns, mortars, gun carriages and
emplacements, as will represent not far
from one-third of the total work TO be
done under the plan adopted for our coast
defenses, thus affording a prospect that
the entire work will be substantially COM
pleted within six years In less time
than that however, we shall have at
tanned marked degree of security. The
experience and rcrTtp of the past year
demonstrate that with Il continuation of
present careful methods the cost of the
remaining work will be much less than
the original estimate We should always
keep in mind that of all forms of mill
tary preparation, coast defense alone is
essentially pacific in it's nature. While it
gives the sense of security due to a con-
seriousness of strength it is neither the
purpose nor the effect of such permanent
fertilization to involve us in compiled
ton, but rather to guarantee us against
them. They are no temptation to war,
but a security against it. Thus they are
thoroughly in accord with all the ira
ditions of our national diplomacy.
PRISONS AND CONVICTS.
The attorney general presents de-
tailed and interesting statement of the
important work done under his supervi-
sion during the last tscan year. The
ownership and management by the gov
ernment of penitentiaries for the con
finement of those convicted in United
States courts of violations of federal
laws, which for many years has been a
subject of executive recommendation,
has at last. to a slight extent, been re-
allied by the utilization of the aban-
doned military prison at Fort Leaven-
worth as United States penitentiary.
This is certainly a movement in the
right direction. but it ought to be at once
supplemented by the rebuilding of extern
sive enlargement of this improvised
prison and the construction of at least
one more, to be located in the Southern
states. The capacity of the Leavenworth
penitentiary is so limited that the eX-
pense of its maintenance, calculated at
per capita rate upon the number of pris-
oners it can accommodates, does not make
as economical an exhibit as it would if it
were larger and better adapted to prison
purposes, but | am thoroughly convinced
that economy, humanity and a proper
sense of responsibility and duty toward
those whom we punish for violations of
federal law dictate that the federal gov
eminent should have the entire control
and management of the penitentiaries
where convicted yiolators are confined.
Fort Leavenworth military prison to its
new uses the work previously done by
prisoners confined there, and for which
expensive machinery has been provided,
has been discontinued. This work con-
sisted of manufactures of articles now
done elsewhere. On all grounds it is eX-
ceedingly desirable that the convicts con-
fined in this penitentiary be allowed to
resume work of this description.
SALARIES INSTEAD OF FEES.
1t is most gratifying to note the sat
isfactory results that have followed the
inauguration of the new system provided
for by the act of May 2S, 1896, under
which certain federal officials are com
pensated by salaries instead of fees. The
new plan was put in operation on the
first day of July, 1896. and already the
great economy, its prevention of abuses
and its tendency to a better enforcement
of the laws are strikingly apparent. De
tailed evidence of the usefulness of this
long delayed, but now happily accom-
plished reform will be found clearly set
forth in the attorney generals report.
POSTAL SERVICE.
Our postofiice department is in good
condition and the exhibit made of its
operations during the fiscal year ended
June 80, 1896, is very satisfactory. The
total receipts during the year were $50,
400, 20S.40. The total expenditures Were
500 ,626. 296.S4, exclusive of 81 ,559,-
S9S.27. which was earned by the Pacific
rn ilrood for trn nsportati ton and credited