Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-06-24

, as far as possible, from all connection will
the party politics of the day. The force O
! the objections suggested TO civil suporn
! tcndcnce cannot be better illustrated than b,
the statements contained in the accompany
ing memorandum Of the Ordnance Depart
ment, which appears to be taken chiefly from
the correspondence between that Department,
aud the superintendent of the armory at Har
por's Ferry.
But the expcdicncy of continuing the su.
pcrintendency of these officers must finally
be decided by Congress. Some hesitation
was felt in dropping, temporarily, the civil
superntendcncy but as neither OF the late
superintendent, though of much personal
worth, was regarded as possessing, in due
degree, those particular qualifications which
are important in the management of such cs-
Establishments, their removal was thought a
fit occasion to introduce a new SYSTEM
Time has not yet been allowed to test sufii-
ciently its advantages or defects. Ifit shall
he the pleasure of Congress to allow the en-
listing vacancies under the law, us il now
stands, to continue for short period, the pub
lie interests will be subserved, whatever may
be the result of the experiment. II the poll
cy recommended by the Ordnance Depart
ment, and so far sanctioned by this Depart
mcnt, shall succeed, it will be we'll fcr the
public service. Fit shall fail, there will no
longer be any preteXt for future changes :;
and the Department will look to the solec-
ton of the most competent superintendent
from the walks Of civil life, and to the means
of improving the efficiency Of these establish
men,s by snch new regulations, under your
direction as may be suggested by experience
Additional appropriations, TO the amount of
sS23,637 81, are required by the Pay and
Quartermaster's Departments for the services
Of the present year. The amount asked by
the Observation-Disclosures appears to be in
ldispensable. 1t is about the sum which Con-
gress at the last session failed TO appropriate,
though included in the estimates, and under
stood to he in part for arrearges for the year
1910, and large portion of the present de-
same account. A portion Of the sum requi-
red by the Pay Department is for arrearages
of the year 1910, as will appear from the re-
port of the Paymaster General.
The agents and superintendent heretofore
employed in the construction Of the various
improvements on the lakes, the seacoast and
in the interior, have been discharged, except
such as have been retained at a small com
pensaton, to guard some of the most impor-
tant works remaining in an unfinished state,
and the public property connected with them.
In q few instances, it has been found cxpedi-
ent to employ an agent 10 take care of the pro-
perty Of the Government collected for the
construction of these works, until Congress
shall determine upon the question ofcontinu-
ing or abandoning them, where there was no
fund out of which they could be paid Some
of these agents have been paid from the pro-
coeds of the sale of a portion Of the public
property; others can be paid only by further
sales, or under an appropriation by Congress.
1t has also been ascertained that the expendi-
lures upon several of these works have ex-
l.,I al 81, 4
structOn. These arrearaocs are generally
due TO contractors and laborors i'm no way re-
sponsibie for this error; and provision should
therefore be made forthe payment of them.-
The amount necessary TO discharge them, as
well as topay the expenses of the agents en-
pioyed as above stated, appears from the re-
port of the Chefof the Corps of Topographic
sal Engineers to be S39,997 IL.
The subject ofthe cxpediency ofcompeting
the Cumberland road. and Of improving GER
tain harbors and the navigation of certain great
rivers, which may he regarded as necessary
and proper in making adequate provision for
the public defence, propose to postpone the
further notice OF until the stated session of
Congress, as the consideration of it vii! in
volve the proPrety of making appropriations
for various works of Internal Improvement not
necessarily connected with that object, and
consequently. will require more time than
Congress, at its approaching session, may
find 1t convenient TO give.
at the late session OF Congress, the sum Of
$4,000 was appropriated to be expended un-
der the direction oithe Department, i'm repair
ING the breach in the Potomac bridge. Soon
after the adjournment, an officer of the Corps
Of Typographical Engineers. distinguished
alike for his science and practical skill. was
selected to make the necessary examinations
La, for ,r,rt III, 81
OF the work. With what skill and accuracy
he has performed this preliminary service.
will appear from his report 10 the Chief Of the
Corps. The highest confidence being repos-
ed in the soundUess of his judgment, it was
: determined at once To eXpend no portion OF
the money placed at the disposal Of the De-
: parnent for the accomplishment of so impor
tant work upon plan which did not pom
I Use to secure, what was held 10 be indispen
= sable, its pcmanence and durability. From
= the statments contained in the report cf Mai
. 'Furnbull, 1t is obvious that the repairs. i
= done upon the plan which formed the bas
. of the estimate upon which the appropriation
r was made. could not stand through a sinOl
. season of frcshet or ice. The question wa
: then presented, whether il was proper to com
n mence the repairs npon the only plan whcI
: promised the requisite strength aud durabili
= "; but the cost Of which would far exceet
c the. appropriation made by Congress, an,
n which, it was known to the Department, wa
i supposed to be ample for the object, or wal
G the sanction ofthat body at the approaching
j. session! The great convenience and impor
= lance ofthe bridge at this point and the stron.
= interest felt by the citizens Of this Dis,ric
e that the repairs shouid not be delayed, urge
: the immediate commencement Of the work
u while its questionable propriety, under tn
e prospect of an immediate session Of Congress
C decided the Department to postpone furihe
n operations until that body should have an op