The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-04-27
gmemtp== foenth Congress.
SECOND SESSION
IN SENATE

tendency to regulate the currency of the country
Mr. CHOATE presented petition from citizens OF
Boston, praying for the erection OF fog bell 10 DC
rung by the action of the tide.
Mr. HUNTINGTON presented memorial from
Woodstock, Connecticut, asking Congress to resist
any attempt which may be made for the admission Of
Texas into the Union.
Mr. BUCHANAN presented memorial of three
individuals engaged in the manufacture of wire IN
Plttsburg, Pennsy lyana, who state that after the
final reduction Of the tariff to twenty per cent, every
wire mandatory in the United States will be oblig
ed to suspend operation and they therefore, ask for
protection against foreign competition
Mr. WRIGHT presented the petition of Charles
kohler, praying remuneration for services in Florida
in 1889 and 1910.
Mr.. WOODBRIDGE presented petition from
citizens of Lima Michigan asking Congress to esta
blish such tariff will enable the Government to
put the country in state of defence, and at the
same time, protect American industry.
Mr. BENTON, from the Committee on Military
Affairs, reported bIIl for the relief Of Mary W,
Thompson.
Several other reports were made from committees,
which will be noticed when they come up IN Theron
der on the calendar.
On the motion of MIR. WOODBURY., it was
Resoiped That the Secretary of the Treasury re-
port to the Senate the extent to which new books
have been opened in his Department since the 4th OF
March, lS4l. for keeping the public accounts sepa-
rate, from that date and copy of the orders given
and circulars issued in relation thereto or in respect
to the returns by discussing officers of their expend
lures since said date, or the demands accrung
since, If keeping them distinct from those which ac-
crued before. And that he further report what has
been the result of opening any such books, and CIV
ing directions concerning the above matters pene
kept sepai ate and what appears, from the new books
or otherwise, to have been the amount Of expendi-
lures since the 4h of March, lS4l. to the 4th OF
March, 1912, and those in the year previous, set out
separately, not only in the aggregate, but under the
several heads of civil military, and naval. Also, to
state the amount of demands accruing from the 4th
of March, lS4l, to the 4th of March, 1912, if in his
power so to do.
HALLS RIFLE.
The bill for the relief of the legal representatives
Of John III. Hall was taken up for consideration:
Mr. KING said that these individuals had not the
slightest claim to compensation from the Govern
ment. Mr.. Hall was employed at sixty dollars per
month, ard received dollar for each of the rifles
manufactured, well as fee of nine thousand dol
lars for the machinery constructed under his super
lnendence and the whole amount which was paid
to him during the time that he employed by the
Government, up TO 1887, was S29, $50 80, There
not dozen officers who would say that this
rifle ought to be manufactured for the use of the
my, 1t was far inferior to the common musket for
all practical purposes
Mr.. ARCHER remarked that the Engineer and
Ordnance Departments we're favorably impressed with
the utility of the Inventions were also the two
boards-composed of the first officers of the army md
practical armorers-which were appointed TO examine
and on the foundation of the reports of these two
boards, the War Department had rendereda favorable
opinion.
Mr.. WRIGHT sad that the manufacture of these
arms by this Government commenced at period ante
to his entering the Senate which In the fall OF
1887. 1t came TO his knowledge at that time that OF
the first perqusites to each member of Congress
Halls rifle. One was sent to his room, but he had
no use for i. He desired to be informed by the mem
bers Of the Military Committee whether these rifles
mad been put TO practical test in the service. They
had war going on in Florida and he wished to
ascertain whether these aims had been put in the
hands Of the military in that Territory, or elsewhere
and practically and avorably tested. He was aware
that boards OF officers bad reported very much in FAY
Of heinventio', but his impression was that all
idea of its utility had long since passed away and
t is arm was considered inferior TO the common muske
and becould not vote on this bill until he learned
whether the utility OF this arm had been in any way
tested, and become possessed of information to the
disposition of the rifles for which the Government
had paid, from the commencement of the connection
OF the Government with this patent. He wanted to
know also, what proportion OF rifles had been given
to persons not connected with the military service.
Mr. BENTON, as an old member of the Military
Committee said that they had always made favorable
reports in relation to this matter the information
received from the Department of W ar. With re-
gard to the inquiry of the Senator from New York,
to whether this arm had been made of success
fully or not, he was not prepared to answer now
but if the bill should be passed over the information,
| no doubt, could BE- obtained
Mr.. PRESTON remarked that Halls rifles had
been used in the Florida war; and there was hardly
one company that had not been furnished with them.
| They had also been distributed among the States III
proportion TO the number manufactured, and South
Carolina had received her share. In 1885 the Chief
Of the Engineer Department expressed his opinion
that Halls rifles possessed decided superiority
all other small arms, and were the best extant; but
since that period the result of the experiment attain
ed by board of officers not so favorable. How
ever, the rifles considered of great utility by
many who had used them.
| Mr. YOUNG inquired whether the patent had not
| expired by the terms of its own limitation If thai
was the case, the Government had right to use it
| The armorer at Harper's Ferry stated that large
amount Of money had been wasted in making ihes,
rifles besides, they soon became useless, and there
| fore did not answer good purpose.
| MIR. = PRESTON SAID thai his oppression was thai
thu limitation OF the patcnt had not exprod, and tha
a little reflection would bring gentlemen to the con
clusun that the lille was invented in 1888.
Mr.. KING was Of the opinion that ST. was tn,
| period of tn invention
| MIR. PRES TON, in the course of his remarks sal,
/ that he was not aware of any limitation to be place,
on an invention Of this kind but, in consideration
the great benefit bestowed upon the whole commun
ty, The inventor should receive the most ample remu
| neraton,
Mr.. YOUNG asked if the backwoodsmen uset
these rifles. lie had understood that during tn,
Black Hawk war they not brought into re-
lqulsltion, the warriors preferrng the home mad,
niles, which fully answered their purpose
Whatever may have been thought of Hall
rifles heretofore they were now considered as of lii
tie use, superior article having been substituted
and which could he al the Ordnance Depart
meut Under these circumstances, it appeared t
him that, the term for which the patent was .ssue
having expired, II was exceedingly improper for tn
Government to pay any thing more, especially as tn
invention was not wanted for the public servic,
Hall had himself received large Of money, an
that, he thought, was amply sufficient.
Mr.. PRESTON said that the reason why the CO.
Of manufacturing these arms at Harpers Ferry al
peared extravagant was obvious. From the vicnit
) of the establishment TO the War Department all c,
} periments suggested to the Ordnance Departmel
were, necessarily made there, while the general r.
suit was merely somany arms manufactured.
L M nfIn Ill h.