The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-06-12
THE PONTON TRAIN.
Total, 4 killed, and Q wounded.
TO BE CONTINUED.

In an editorial article which appeared in the
last nights "Union," we referred to General Tay-
or's letter of the 18th May, which stated that, if he
had been duly supplied with pontou train, he
would have been able to force the enemy acrosa
the Rio Grande, and greatly improve the fruits of his
victory. We showed that no censure could apply
to the Secretary of War on this account as he
had not only earnestly recommended it in his annu-
al report, but had followed up this recommendation
by addressing the appropriate committee no less
than three times in the early part ofthe session, ug
ing the importance of this measure, and reminding
them that the general commanding the army in Tex
as had called for this essential equipment to his
military operations"
The Military Committee of the House of Rep
resentatves are disposed to complain of the
language of the "Union," as implying some
censure upon themselves-as the public might
consider them as "the appropriate committee"
NOW, we understand, beyond the possb-
ty of doubt, that the Military Committee
have done their duty with great alacrty in the
premises 1t turns out that the secretary's report
had been the subject of an early investigation by
that committeeman in less than two weeks after
the secretary's report was printed and laid before
them-vz; on the 9th of January, a favorable re-
port was made by direction of the committee, with
an accompanying bill for the organization of the
corps; that frequent efforts were made both by
the chairman of the committee (Mr. HARRISON of
Georgia and Mr.. Burt, of South Carolina, one of the
members, who made the report, to take up the BILL
out without success. No censure therefore, can lie
at their door. Indeed, understand upon the most
respectable authority, that the pubc duties of the
military committee Of the House have been promptly
discharged upon every subject which has been sub
United to their consideraton-that they have not
tailed TO urge every measure which was calculated
to give efficiency to the service, and that they have
frequently met discussed, and acted upon measures
IA anticipation of the probable emergency"-as was
remarkably the case in the anticipation of the
war with Mexico. This committee were duly
impressed with the importance of having
ponton train in the service on the Rio Grande.
No censure, therefore, lies at their door Nor
IN fact, do we mean to cast any censure
upon the Committee of Ways and Means, who
have had business enough to transact, and sufficient
cases OF other sorts to engage their attention. They
we're the committee referred to in our article Three
several letters were addressed by the Secretary Of
War to the chairman Of that committee--one on
the 10Th of February, recommending an appropria-
ton for the ponton train--a second on the 4th of
March, and third on the 10th March; but
we presume that in the meantime, other duties
pressed upon them. II was not until the 18th of
May, that the act was passed for the organization
Of company of sappers, miners, and pontonier,. !"
The Secretary of War Immediately set to work, and
the train Is in sr.pid state Of preparation.