The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-08-15
OUR COAST DEFENCES.
EFFEoTITE PROGRESS MADE ON THE
NEW FORTIFIChTIONs.
no work. at Many Of the rr,nc,pa, Forte in

10 an Enemy'n EIeNt-Eentureo OF the OPP
creations Under way-Need OF More secrecy.
WARRINGTON. Aug. l4-This 10 the season,
during the long recess OF Congress, whom tho
country turns Its eyes AVA from the capital
under the belief that there is nothing e going
on In Washington. But, on the contrary, In q
business sense, 1t is tho period Of the greatest
annual activity in everything that pertains TO
keeping the machinery OF governments efficient
condition.
1t Is quiet work on many desks in the cxocu.
tive departments, but 1t Is the fundamental
labor upon which rests each annual advance in
national growth. The years reports, now pour
ing in from every quarter, tell not only OF what
has been accomplished in every branch of ma
tional affairs. great and small. but what, in the
opinion Of those in charge both OF great things
and OF tho multitudinous small things which
enter into tho public affairs OF seventy millions
Of people. will be needed to insure this mighty
population proper facilities for promoting it's
growth.
When Congress Is in session, and especially
when 1t Is in extra session at the opening Of an
Administration the machinery of government 10
practically paralyzcd. The departments are
overrun with the $50 errand boys of that state
ly messenger service known also as Congress.
Great as is the departmental force, 1t is far from
sufficient to answer the questions and hear the
demands of this most active and persistent
body. All public business waits upon this, and
every grace OF pubic servant, rom the Presi-
uo"e ahu S"oihet ministers 10 appointment
c'efks, gives wen hisn unoiViueu attention TO It's
inquiries ana demands. But the moment Con-
gross goes ana quiet ID restored ana the days
SCI IN "hon there arc no outward signs OF ac-
u'i's II puoilc ahairs' Inen inc real business OF
the country begins to receive proper attention.
And whom the President goes also. the situa-
tion Is still further vastly improved, since the
iacihties TOT uninterrupted business are largely
increased. A gooa PRESIDENT should DO much
ABSENT, not only thet weii-earned rest may con-
serve his powers for the public good, but that
noao nnhI;, hr.,,oaa ,,hna -. ;.,ISo.an. D.
peue puoiic business "hiie an ihuiHeront fres-
ident cannot take too much rest. Tho moment
the President can leave. after his Adminis,ra.
tion ia fairlv ,annchod rho hottor ,or thn nomn-
try. The crowds vanish. quiet settles ' over so ths
denartments and tho uachinerv NJ govern,r.nt
begins to perform for - im rnptnott' work. ", s0'e Ana IN
these modern days a President can give prompt
az
II there were nothing in progress here but tho
very important consideration of the questions re-
lating to the free gift by our Government Of trans.
~ i"''
continental freight facilities to the Dominion
nv tbc rcyu,ar corresnondent NJ T,,p S,-S tho
usiIh, Ill 49, a. - n 80. u
ton. II is altogether natural that an Admins
tr.tion which orchos un5or Tho hannor -, nro-
lection to American labor. American man
ufactures, and American markets should
havo in mind the proncr nrotec,,on NJ
Nv " "N"u .' p'opoi pio.ee''on VI
our American railway system. The alton
tion which the Department of Justice Is
giving IN tbo ou,stion In tho sh,no IN
,Sms " II quo9V.on' III u snupe IN
whieh II mas been presented and partially de-
sorvo to o,on ID a;.,,ssion ,.xo,,,ra,w.
e ., AZ y, ,Ssn" :, lno qual.
whole subject of interstate carrying trade
through Canada. On its face it is not a sensa.
tional matter, but in it's ramifcations it takes
RANK VIII Questions OF boundary, and gold fields.
I'M Ilnit ,sIt states Tbe wh,sh s ioSk Of PI ibo on nsn upon ar,m name sne
or Justice has stirred up all interests involved,
ana lively discussions are assured:
Among the great Questions, vital to secure
natiohal growth, which are, receiving practical
Wmshington days: is that OF coast defence.
The country may well feel immense satisfac;
tlon at the condition and progress OF this vital
where the public of every. class is rigidly OK
S rhae az az points where ~ IS IN progress Is one
will be especially noted by foreign nations.
whose Officers up to a recent period, have been
as our officers who were engaged in the con.
i inste q Of Gene fn9 o Wilso ,,S@ Thie IN Of ms case at the
Of the most radical character. The Secretary OF
war: recognizlng It's lmportance, in promu lgat-
i"E eIiss to see se0 that fDHr herSaftssr o eermissi Sl a to
visit the works in question on coast or lakes
SHOULD only be given for proper military reasons.
Behind the tmpcnctrable screens thus drawn
the most important material work that the ma
ton has IN hand Is rapidly and vigorously pro-
crossing;
There has been so much wholesome and plain
spoken criticism OF the lack of defence for our
most important, harbors as to create the i'm
preston that all OF them would be helpless in
the taec OF sudden foreign attack. -Four years
ago, there was far too much reason in these
declarations, and in the fears which they
aroused. fMt the situation has been rapidly
years were necessary. where months once served
70 produce the hetSy guns OF the day, are now
coming 10 hand with frequency and regularity.
so or the enormous disappearing carriages for
the modern guns. 80 also OF me preparation OF
the Improvements which they require. The re-
SUI Is that, win a speed winch 10 now apparent.
an the parts OF uhcse modern wonders OF defence
are bclng assembled, ana are already effective
at more points than the country is informed
aPput.
Inc de ialis cannot ana should not reach the
Public. But II VIII doubtless be a matter OF sur
prise 10 many 70 learn that vigorous work is in
progress upon the entire SCDcfnc or coast defence