Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1842-04-28
&prfHgffIo armorp.
scHAPTEn III.

na...r ], : -. ',.t.'ee proefe0ed 10 the bu,
nss. q their sPpoiniu I7 snd, sfter :,
ing through <erisin I,.yr;,,J 80 u, s
report 70 Wsshi1z The rssas y
probably prepared eipale ;n ~. 81.
oegree the general g. u ~. ~
port ~ contents a. R IRON * !. 4. ~, s
lic eye. having. IL Is beiieyed h. ~ Pug PUG
% @anIeaied 10 STEW indsidusls onfv .nd
Fymor sPeaks truly, andsr tn;;v1., ~.
y secrecy. twas accompanied byen'
comprised, tariff reii--sa, n,;nas
IN tn s.tiraas;; ara'erg ss7elary Mr..
Spencer, Tor Do ne se.7ssnst6re s Of sanction
when be had been in The office but : e "
days, and was Instantly sent back 8
Springfield. and went into effect
4 short extract, (ssid 10 be- from this
report. was published 10 the Madisonian
Hast autumn. which contains staten enis
that are veil known at Sprir g6efd 10 be al
paipableI variance with fact. RI that ex.
tract be q faiE sample Of the whcle, il
Strengthens tho probability OF o coniec.
ture, made BY locker 90 during the pro-
gress oi The operations Of the committee
-vor rstherProTes the truth Of tina, con.
Jectpre-viE that their report would be
"a mess ofmooashIne. If this remalka.
ole report shoqld get into print, We will
take The liberty 10 review il in a manner
thafwill doil and its authors immediate
aHd remote, Impartial and ample Justice!
But since star chamber Investigations and
secret eopfidentisltep have come into
fashion, HHder lhet War Department, and
The call Of Congressis uoheeded, these
reports Of the packed committee TYLER
& Co. are not likely TO seeIthe light. till
drawn from their secret recesses by The
popular Will speaking through 1Le public
PRESS, E'
To test the credibility Of the Tyler
statements in The port--should' com
mittee Of either House OF Congress ex-
anime on oath twenty men or probity and
intelligence, who were in the armory
when the Committee was there fant many
times that number Of such men could be
-se!ected+) the 10 aividusls 10 be nominated
byNhe Representatives from the District
we will venture 10 assure the reader,
land We do not speak without some per-
sonal knowledgeof the report and facts
in the case thai The truth, thus eliciied.
would evihce a contempt Of justice in
that investigation, which, for the honor
ofour country men, we hope is rarely ex-
hibl'ed in any btanch OF the public ser
vice. Lei the examination. on oath only.
be extended 70 all The officers Of the lar.
, r6o 'testi6sd before she committes, o. had
any ~ cUrrllunrrcs-aoas betSeen The CON-
t.niltee andE themselves, directly OF indi-
.recily. 'andf facts would Be brought out
that We think would shoe. every lover Of
public virtue,
This project Of establishing military
role at The arEnories has long been azfavo-
rite measure with clique in the Ord
nance office. as opening the wsylfor min
tary promotion among the members Of the
corps. and d means Of EXCEEDING more
widely over the cemmunitysn influence
already oyergrown and Dangerous, by the
immense amount Of public money ex.
pended il that branch Of the service j:
the vast number OF heavy and lucrative
contracts in their gift : and their power Of
affecting extensively the rates Of mechan-
Tics wages through The country. This iE-
fuenee ON the wages Of mechanics labor
is effected BY the employment of num-
bers of workmen at the arsenals OF con-
struclion sne other ordnance stations, al
various and distant points 10. many States
-w hose ratesof wages are subject 70 the
caprice or convenience Of ordnanceofh-
1 GERS As THE desire for ertro aiiotodace.
INCREASES among the officers, the wages o.
the mechspics must be reducedto leave
means at the disposal Of The department
10 pay these allowsnces, The motive o
promotion is no hgnenE For, notwiih.
standing The Secretary says, 10 his report
i that there swere, ordnance "oficers fda
could be spared from other service 70 take
charge Of the armories = yetthe cbiei
Of ordnance. in bis report, accompanying
that OF the Secretary, recommends raj
addition TO The department Of t.co Captain
Rand twelve lieuiensnts---,to meet the ,pant
ltef the sr,rics. Sec. Doc. No, 2 Ho
Reps. p. 66 end IS. n
The measure was urged on torme
Secretaries Without success. But Il wa
Isprunc upon Mr. Bell before he bad bar
tlime 10 become familiar with the subject
and though requested afterwards TO relin
quish il BY members Of Congress. and othe
4 Gentlemen who foresaw and depreciaiei
is evil consequences, it seems be ha'
mol can csndcr enough 10 correct an er
ror ohce committed. The initial sanction
Of this plan BY the present Secretary ZIP
pears 10 have been obtained in the sam
manner, as before minated. the Secre
tary trusting 10 ..lhe accuracy Of he 10
formation, and great experience Of ih
men who had provided this report Of Ty
Ter s Co 10 throw dust 10 The eyes Of ID
head OF the Department.t,he Presidents
the United States, and the Military Con
Gi,tees Of Congress.
II is due To- the public as well as ID III
President 10 say. ibal he had no hand
this odious measure. Il was adopted an
carried into effect by Secretary Bel
before Mr.. Tyler occupied the Exec
3 tive chair.
i. We propose 10 consider briefly The re
son assigned Tor its adoption. and then q
9 Iscribe The manner in which i. works.
CHAPTER ".
SIR. Bells frslebiecsion 70 civil supf
> intendents for the national srmories,
i sihe want Of proper qualifications in 4
D. persons usually selected That Is q
~ The fault Of lhe fqe. Another is. lhe 20
d lecliye and inadequsle control which
I'll department has been able 10 exercise o.
1.-The rr,r,arA., -. .lkr-1. tf The rontroI Of 4