The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-10-12
FOR THE MADIsoNIAN
AUDI ALTERAM PARTEM.

Mr.. ALLEN The artiice exhibited in the suppress
sion of truth in the article signed Sabre" in Satur-
days Madlsonlon respecting the armorers at Spring
field, Mass.) is worthy of cunning man. but lis ex-
posure is demanded by the character Of The Journal
thus attempted to be used TO throw dust in the ewes
of its numerous readers, and particularly the honest
and conlidng Head Of the Gov eminent, inasmuch as
its tendency to make appear that the present Ad
mnistaton is inimcal the newspaper press or that
it fears the most thorough scrutiny into all its acts
because the perusa of journals during trorking hours
has been prohibited at many of the public works 1t
is well known that the workmen in the Navy Yard
at this place prohibited but never entered into
the minds of the intelligent officers of the Navy 10
debar their fellow citizens from recering their news
papers at their anvIs their work benches on the
contrary, they have encouraged the workmen read
proper times, and shun dram shops and other sinks
of abomination. And the regulation referred to is
strictly and cheerfuly observed while the ten hour
system affords many an opportunity for study. We
know that at Springfield well as other great fac
tories, water power applied to lathcs and
it not unfrequently happens that the whole machinery
OF shaft is in motion, while but lathe may be
tended; and sometimes, while forge is in blast the
| worknen may be standing ready, reading newspaper
holding conversation with each other, being within
4" calf for the trp-hommer, whatever may dema nd
their services. II is understood that such
occurred while Board of Officers visited the works
| of Springfield and because workman neither
cunning mean enough to lay aside his newspaper
when seliconstituted masters made their appearance
4 iHat''i tntltu INV grave pN
clerk of the War Department, whose own pay her,
was going on while he was detailed, account o
feeble health, TO accompany the Board OF Officers
I" oh that there pow'r TO gle us,
To Curse es as ithcrs us!"
Ii may not he generally known that at the public
workshops at Springfield, the iron work each por
ton of fire is performed "by the piece" predcat
ed upon pro rata actually ascetaned by the quaint
ly Of each portion that skiliu workman could do il
twelve hours Of summers day. And the workmen
in winter Of their own accord, have been summoned
Ivy bell an hour before day. Now, in common will
the experienced military, who versed in know
ledge OF human nature, it is the decided opinion of tn
writer that men actuated by such principles not o
the mdferid requiring regulation that they shoul
not receire newspaper at shop because they wer
under Government roof
Sabre" is called on TO prore that such men VIII
are not surpassed in industry and virtue in ingenuit
and intelligence, by any workmen of the same numbc
in the wold--cmpha,ically freemen--c be ectu
ated, while standing up for their supposed rights, b
the influence Of travelling lecturers on abolonIsn
$ whilst receiving the pay of the Government IL
believed that this is another perverson of the truth