The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-28
Ftom tAs Philadelphia Wo,ld, Augaa lG.


re Steam Saips.-A public meeting isto be held
ID ms Guy On MONDAY next 10 demonstrate with the
Secretary OF the Navy, as we understand the case
against ordering the machinery FOR the steam shin
to be built at this Navy Yard from any other Than
The work shops oil Phiiadelphla We insist thai bet
ter work In steam machinery can be made IN This eli
~, than in any other part of the union; and that Ii
our work be more than equal 10 any other The f,ct
that The steam ship Is TO be built here, ards suf
cent 10 the Secretary oil the Navy for order
ing the mac nery 10 De constructed here all other
things being equal for The expense OF transporta-
iion from any other place would thus be saved. But
with every feeling Of jns pride In our own machi-
nists and every wish TO promote their interests, col
ieeiiyely and individually, and with every wish 70
Steam ship credilable 10 the nation, which, We
know, will be obtained II IL be wholly constructed
here respectfully suggest 10 the citizens Of this
meeting fthey would pursue the most correct course
In directly requesting the Secretary 10 order the
chinery from the workshops Of Philadelphia This
ship is The property ofhe na,ion and the psblic In
eres therefore requires that II should be built In the
most efficient manner, and with The least expense
consistent with the most efficiency; and the doiy Of
the Secretary Is 10 pursue the most fitted 10
insure these Two requisites. This Is obvious
" 10 invite proposals from all the macbin isls 10 the
Union, by public notice. Without proposals, how
is The Secretary 10 decided BY preferring one ma
chinis without consulting another, he prejudges the
ease and shows Partially; and this, In public SER
want, is neglect Of duty. BY making contract with
one machinist without consulting others, he may pay
much more than others would have demanded for
work equally good, and would thus squander mis-
apply the money OF the people. But BY advertising
proposals, be informs ali who feel competent 10 The
undertaking, and can then accept the terms most
eligible for the nation having due respect TO ecien-
cy, eheapness, and convenience Of locality.
The duty OF the Secretary being t0'inyite propo-
sails, we trust that citizens viii lake an enlarged
view OF the case and instead or asking the Secretary
for the contract, will ask him to perform his duly
and advertise for offers. They win lose nothing by
ths course; for the reputation OF our machinisls,
founded upon their well tested work affords snfi-
cient guarantee TO the nation for their skill and f.
deity 10 work FL this steam ship; and the vicinity
OF their onndries 10 the Navy Yard where the ship
Is 70 be built, should be important consideration
with the Secretary. In short, we believe that after
careful comparison Of proposals from all the foun-
dries IN the nation the Secretary would do Justice to
y oy ordering this machinery TO be built in Phadrl
phia and We insist that citizens would do JUS
broad ground
we are particularly DESTROYS Of having our cii-
zens Jake inns ground because we have reasons for
maj me Secretary, without the least regard
TO national Interests intends TO give lob 10 some Of
his personal friends. Now, II our citizens should
ask for the contract, 10 the exclusion Of ain others
the Secretary might reply that without any liberal
or patriotic views in the case they merely sought
job for themselves, and that between two seekers Of
| job, he had right 10 his own preferences. We
have no desire 10 see our citizens In position de-
grading, and trust that their pride will revolt from
giving any public oicer an opportunity tor so re-
buking or haunting them. Besides, we fear that this
work is already designed for some relatives of the
Secretary, and have no beliefthat he will be divert
| ed from his purpose, unless We assume The COM
manding ground of public considerations We must
approach him as community, speaking for The good
of the nation, and insisting thai this good shall not
be sacrificed to private friendships family inte-
rests. We must tell him that as portion of the peo-
pie OF the United States protest against the throw
ing away Of public money for bad work, because he
wishes to put money into the pockets Of his brothers
in-law, or to promote the pecnniary interest Of a
foundry in which The pairimony of his own wife is
said to be embarked; and therefore must insist
that he give all the rnachiniss 10 the Union an op-
ponuny for making proposals. By assuming this
attitude and this tone, we shall be seen, heard and
respected by the whole nation; and the Secretary,
4 with the eyes of the whole nation turned upon This
case will not venture 10 set 1t at defiance BY prefer
ring private to public considerations.
/ We believe that the Secretary, Notwithstanding
4 his indefinite answer to Mr. lngersoll, intends to
have the machinery for The steam ship to be built
| here, made by his bro,hers-in law at West Point
and rthis be DONE another miserable failure will be
| imposed upon our badly managed navy. Let the
object of our meeting be to defeat this design against
public good.