The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-08
CUFF GREEN
From The Old DONATION.
COMPLETE DISCHARGE IN THE NAVY
YARD.


COMPLETE DISCHARGE IN THE NAVY
YARD.
=" We learn with regret that orders have been re-
ceived at the Gosport Navy Yard, to discharge all
the hands except those employed the Constitution
and small store vessel; and they, too, when that
work is done, as it will be- in about fortnight are TO
be then discharged. The building of the new sloop
of war James Ioaon, is consequently suspended. The
condition OF the poor workmen and their families,
thus left without employment and the means of sub
sstence at this inclemen season. is truly to be de-
plored"
Such is the pregnant and sententious paragraph in
the Norfolk Herald Of Monday last, announcing the
event which is told in the line 1--WE have headed
this article with. What sorrow what distress, what
misery does the above recorded fact hold out in per-
spectve to the many families who have nothing to
depend upon but the labor of their husbands and ia
Tiers, sons the Navy ard, through the present
gloomy and severe season. How different this from
the glorious and bright promises which were made
to the mechanics and working men in 1910, of " tcO
dollars dag and roast beef" if the wings should tri
umph in the Presidential election then pending.
Let take rapid retros pectye view of events as
they have transpired since that PERIOD il may posi-
bly, make us wiser, if not better Previous 10
that time, there had been pretty steady run of work
in the Yard and when appropriations run out under
one head, the Executive was allowed to transfer I'M
expended appropriations to the exhausted head and
if there was not money in the Treasury to meet he
did come in this kept business moving-our shop
keepers and merchants readily giving credit to those
| who in employ
! Well the Wing dynasty came into power. AT the
memorable extra session of lS4l, the Wings appro-
priated some three or four millions OF dollars mere
than asked for by the Exc, uve for the gradual
increase and repair Of the Navy, to make it worthy,
they said, of the commerce and resources Of this
great country. The Executive, taking this demon
stration of policy for his guide asked for a liberal
oDp riaf AT he first
of that Congress when, 10 the establishment OF every
one, it refused. The previous appropriations
were withdrawn-the estimates of the Secretary OF
the Navy were cut down more than half and
riders and binders inserted in The law, at the nstl
CATION of John Quincy Adams, which completely
tied the hands and shacked the will Of the Executive.
And why was this cruel and vindctlye course pur-
suedi 1t was because the majority in both branches
Of that Congress vel knew that the President, John
Tyler, was the true, firm, and consistent friend OF
the worltingmen and mechanics, and they determined
that he should not have the credit qualification OF
carrying out his Wishes every act OF his life made
them known he would do, for the benefit an adyan-
tape of his tellOw-CitlZcus. Wei, the crisis camej
the vessels ordered TO be built by imperative law
were put upon the stocks the appropriations were
absorbed; the workmen in our va DIS were discharged
aud the enemies Of the President reoiced in the evil
brought about 10y their own acts, and jeercd his
friends for the non iulhlment Of promises made by
him Regardless Of these things, every effort made
to keep those employed who had families dependent
upon them and, not doubling the President asked
IN his late message foe the resembling OF the clause
which prevented him from using from two to three
hundred thousand dollars, already appropriated but
lying idle in the Treasury Here are the words oil
the Message on this subject:
/" call your particular attention also to that por
ton Of the Secretarys report which has reference to
the act Of the late session Of Congress which prohb
tied the transfer Of any balance of appropriation TO
that for building, equipment and repair. The repeal
4 a.. I1f No. 70
renewed employment TO large class Of workmen
who have been necessarily discharged in consequence
| Of the want Of means TO pay them-a circumstance
attended, especially at this season OF the year, with
much pryatlon and suiering'-
How has this rcqu,ton been metz The paragraph
Of the Herald tells the story bitter biting want
cords the fact despair in many femy, deep, silent,
but agonizng, has written the refusal Of the present
Congress relieve their distress with pencil Of fire
upon the tablets Of their hearts. The prayers Of
portion Of the press and Of hostile politicians, hostile
10 JOHN TYLER, has prevailed, and the House of Rep
resentatves with fixed majority Of some 100 Demo
Gratis have refused to sacken the wing screws, which
are wringing the hearts Of thousands throughout
the length and breadth OF this land,
The ultrasts Of the two parties have united in Con-
gress against the President and the people must sui
fer--J. O. Adams, the Wing side working shoulder
TO shoulder with Cave Johnson ultra Democrat on
TIE other, to defeat the President and PROSTATE the
interests Of the Navy. What do these things means
WHY have extremes thus met Are they acting
the principle that to give them the control Of mans
bread they will have their control of his will' and
consequently, now starving these men into mea-
sures leaving to chance TO give the direction 10 their
minds which party they shall fall into, and be per-
fectly satisfied, if they die in the experiment.
provided they be taken from the support Of John Ty
Ter.
We write not as politician now, but with heavy
heart in ant at the course pursued by our legsla-
tors for the last month, who have already expended
some three on four hundred thousand dollars on them
selves and have not yet done act fpr the benefit
of the country; whose time has been FILTERED away
in useless and idle discussion on irrelevant matters
and in schemng for promoting their favorite TO the
/ Pre- sdenal chair who take GREAT CREDIT TO them
selves for slraning at gnai and think nothing of
| ernloiring camel "Let them who have ears to
hear, hearm
! We advise all who are interested in his matter 10
meet together regardless Of party, and make a firm
and dignifed representation of their situation 10 Con
prcss aud DEMAND relief-but NO servile prayer, OF
| bused petltion-the President, we know viii hear
tily cooperate with them We would offer our ser
vices to promote this object to put matters in pfop1
form" aud and train, but puppyism might impugn ou
motives, aud misrepresent our intentions, SO we con
tent ourselves. with making the suggestion eaynl
others to carry it out All interested in tins mat
ter, the workngman, the merchant, the trader, Tia
andlord-and If they act miiedy, they Will PC sue
lcEssruL.