Jasper Republican, Volume 1, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 January 1875 — The President’s Message on the Arming of Coast Defenses. [ARTICLE]

The President’s Message on the Arming of Coast Defenses.

Washiwoton, Jan. 20. Tent President sent the following message to Congress to-day: To the Senate and House of Representatives: In my annual message of Dec. 1, 1873, while inviting general attention to aH recommendations made by toe Secretary of War, your special attention watt invited to toe importance at preparation for war in toe arming of our sea-coast defenses. Proper armament is of vastly more Importance than fortifications. The latter can be supplied very speedily tor temporary purposes when needed. The former cannot These views gain increased strength and pertinence as toe years roll by. I have now again the honor to call special attention to toe condition of toe armament of our fort! fications and the absolute necessity for immediate provision by Congress for toe procurement of heavy cannon. The large expenditures required to supply the number of guns for our forts is the strongest argument that can be adduced for a liberal annual appropriation for their gradual accumulation. In time of war such preparations cannot be made; cannon cannot be purchased in open market, nor manufactured at short hotice. They must be the product of years of experienced labor. I herewith inclose copies of toe repents of toe Chief of Ordnance and of toe Board of Ordnance Officers on toe trial at toe eightinch rifle, converted from toe ton-inch smoothbore, which shows very conclusively an economical means of utilizing toe useless smoothbores and making them into eight-inch rifles, capable of piercing seven inches of iron. The 1,294 ten-inch Rodman guns should, in my opinion, be so utilized, and the appropriation requested by toe Chief of Ordnance of *250,000 to commence these conversions is earnestly recommended. 1 > j . s

While convinced of the economy and necessity of these conversions, the determination of the best and most economical method of providing guns of still larger caliber should no longer be decayed. The experience of other nations, based on the new conditions of defense, brought prominently by toe introduetion of iron-clads into every navy afloa\ demands heavier metal and rifle guns of not less than twelve inches tn caliber. These enormous masses, hurling a shot of 700 pounds, can alone meet many of the requirements of the national defenses. They must be provided, and experiments on a large scale can alone give toe data necessary for the determination of toe question. A suitable proving ground, with all toe facilities and conveniences referred to by. toe Chief of Ordnance, with a liberal annual appropriation, is an undoubted necessity. The guns ready for trial cannot be tested without funds, and the estimate of. $250,000 * for the purpose is deemed reasonable, and is strongly recommended. The constant appeals for legislation on “ armament of fortifications” ought no longer to be disregarded, if Congress desires in peace to prepare important material the want of which in future wars must inevitably lead to disaster. This subject is submitted with the hope that toe consideration it deserves may be given it at the present session.

(Signed)

U. S. GRANT.

Executive Mansion, Jan. SO, 1873.