Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-12-10

II is estimate that an iron cannon wiI Il
safely bear more than 1900 discharges With a
service charge, after which it should he bgc,
up.
The United States have no armories for !
fabrication of cannon. The practice for 50.
years has been To make contracts with the OWN
of the four foundries at Richmond, Georsetor
Pittsburg and West Point, to the amount Of
annual appropriation, allowing about an co.
proportion to each, and paving such price a.
Ordnance Department., on the best intormln
Judge reasonable.
This procedure has been repeatedly stated
the annual reports to Congress. together viii
reasons which led toiit These are founded
the capital ard experience required to cond |
this business; in the necessity Of depending.
some degree. upon the integrity and character
the manufacturers, as there NAV be defects IN q
piece not easily discoverable, owing to the n
cesslty of MIXING together iron Of different qui|
tiles; and in the belief. that, if a general coz
petition for these supplies were excited, the Ell
isting establishments would be broken down, aGl
others endeayor to take their places, which would
either fail from similar causes, or furnish canuo
unfit for service, and thus leave the Government
at some critical period, without the means D
procuring this indispensable arm Of defence
The provisions of the acts of Congress, D
March Sd, 1909, seem, however, present Z
rious objections TO this course: and buns Y
subject before you at this this time, that It nj
be fully considered.
1t appears to me, that public armory Tor
fabrication of cannon is required by obvious q
sideraiions. BY forming such an e'tabII'hms
the necessary experience and artisans would
provided. and such supplies of heavy ornl
manufactured as the Government might our
The actual value Of the article would be aseeLi
ed, and contracts with individuals could de%
ed with fdII knowledge Of the clrcum''an'
There would be no danger of combinations
would any injury result from fair compe'l''T'
The supplies might be 50 controlled as I" "a
no fear of deficiency in the quality or qua
of this essential arm of defence. %,
In the report of the Surgeon General vi,
found review of the operations OF the 'nsaI
department, and the propositions suDml''t"
him for its better organization. Fourteen w..
and dollars are annually expended Tor ,ns
ployment Of private physicians, because utUJ
is not sufficiently numerous to discharge INK
ties demanded of it. We have sSty'fOuf NJ
~ stations and recruiting rendezvous fea'D
surgeons, and we have in service bat N.Y."
surgeons aud assistants. There Is 10 e'O"
IN the present arrangement, nor is 1t ad''|'.
Gus to the public interest. An Increa"
crops. as recommended b, the surse"" Se"''
evidently required. .Ilt
The considerations urged BY him tor an au".
to,the pay Of surgeons aud assistants are '''~
" forciblc. There is no portion of 'ne
whose compensation is so inadequate. NOT
any. which presents less prospects Of re" ".j,
There are but two grades OF rank II, ou' ~"
service, and the emoIument OF The h'sne''"
little superior to that Of a captain. sbse
It's due to the army, that the subject ol"
commissions should be placed before W"
far as respects the services and com pensa'"~
officers holding those commissions tne
regulations are just, and well calculated
vent any injury to the public service -% ~
can receive the pay ofhis brevet rank ln Ss';',
ing IN that capacity when OH duty and "'T nd
command according to his brevet RANK
are twenty-nine officers in the arI9y nO" w.
brevet pay. ,,.. s,ys
These brevet commissions presuPpose , s't
encc in the officer, and are founded upon . %
sumption. that circumstances may arse W." I'D
services may be useful in more ex'en:nt y
than that 10 which, BY his lIneal eon''l'''' Ill
required to act and these circumstance