The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-16

IcITOTIHtu
prescdbes the hour at which the workmen are TO be
there the hour at which they called oil Tor refresh
men and al which they return. lie disnisses them al
night, he checks the ro and any man who deficient
in time is checked and the time is deducted Any man
that does not conform to the rules paid OF aud dismissed
That e what understand done under The civil rule;
and wherever sou have honest and competent ohccr
either military civil he does il; and sir il to be
gned that you cannot gel civilian that has either the IN
egence or The integrity 10 perform his duty and enforce
/ the instructions OF the government? think not |
think we can trust civilian there as well as anywhere
else.
Thea sir why should we have an army officer 10 take
charge OF these aImories' Certainly the work be per-
formed IN the armories is not professional Will il be
said that the construction of req ures professional
sklll SIR the profession OF the military officer
rather than to make them. Besides, your ordnance
corps prescribes the kind and description of tobe
made at your armorles Your superintendent does not
prescribe that but ordnance corps that
ton, as understand il and after the kind, the amount
and the description OF to be manufactured pre-
scrbed, the manufacture is purely mechanical opera
ton 1t is mechanical, purely and strictly and not mill
iary professional. II Is the work Of the mechanic; and
undertake to say that the mechanic who has devoted
his life to his occupation, understands better how to
ry that mechanical operation than your military
does whose life, potesson occupation, and habits dis
quality him from understanding it. think, therefore,
you have the opportunity oil getting more mechanical
knowledge and skill IN the civil service in regard 10 the
mechanical operations of these amoes than you have in
| the army.
Bat SIR, there is another consideration which operates
upon my mind. know that the American mechanic does
not like, IN time OF peace in workshop to be subjected
button. In ume OF war he is willing TO enlist in your
army, 10 enroll among the volunteers, 10 come under the
rules and articles OF war; and be subject to strict and
rigid obed any eguiar soldier Every American
citizen is willing 10 do that in time ol when is
cessary and proper 10 enforce the military discipline But
in time o; profound peace, while carrying on the ordna
ayocatons OF te while pursuing Their ari IN the work
shop, the performance OF Their regular trade, to be sub
jec to military discipline and regulations by an officer
who does not understand the trade, whose education
and habits OF life prevent him from sympahizng, as he
ought to do, with the craft not congenal TO the feel
ings and habits OF minded mechanic. know that
your mechanic feels esve under this system and the ten
| dency is to degrade him in his estimation
| submit that il does not become Americans to humble
and degrade our mechanics. We owe them too M ch.
If any class of citizens than
the rapid progress making in all that gives
superiority other nations, II Is to the American
chanic whose skill, whose ingenuity has done it. And
why is II that the American mec hanic excels all others
II because he has, under our institutions right to
think freely and boldly He is not confined within GER.
tain prescribed limits that exist under different forms of
government, that make il crime TO think in opposition
the consecraed errors of oden times Free thinking,
bold thinking, enables him TO make inventions that
prise and staItle the world, while their commands
universal admiration.
Sir, do not wish put restraints upon the mind upon
the actions upon the feelings OF mechanics think,
therefore, that This military system is al war with the
spirit OF our Institutions, and that should be carried
no further than is necessary for military purposes. To
the extent that it necessary for military operations
am willing 10 carry II, and am willing to sustain you
in the most rigid and exact system OF discipline appc
BILE 10 the army 10 all under its control in time of
Dut am not WILING unnecessarily 10 carry Inc maTy
system into The mechanics shops in times of peace.
Mr., BUTLER. Aluson has been very distinctly made
that there has been military influence brought BEAR either
directly indirectly upon and those who act with
me in this matter. Sir, say that during the time
i have spoken yesterday or Today, have not seen
military man, or friend OF military man,
here pressing this matter on US. | may not be as
well informed the senator from Illinois OF aay inhu
brought 10 bear upon the Senate, but could very
distinctly point 10 the very influence OF others The
ato has spoken with good deal of emphasis abou,
sders and insiders | neither outsider, seeking for
office, nor insider enjoying am, therefore,
impartial Judge upon the subject. But, sir, always
thought that there was some wisdom in the fox, say
the least of il, when he told the swallow he would not
drive off the flies which had goged themselves, TO give
way the hungry flies (he outsiders) that wanted to
come in. Besides, say empbatically that know OF no
officers insiders who have such great personal interest
in pressing this upon US They do not get one dollar
in the line OF their duty Who is the nsder in connex
ion with the subject! Do the officers gorge themselves
with the public money beyond the pay which is allowed
Sir, am not aware that The mechanics have been dis.
satisfied under military superniendence The dssats
faction exists among the outsiders who want the places,
and il the outsiders wish gorge themselves because
others in their way can very well understand the
principle upon which they act They want the money.
The officer gets OF this money; the insiders are not
benefited by il, not whit They get more pay
than they would yet in their other official positions
As 10 what has been said about the mechanics, every
one who knows me knows that justice, and courtesy
and every tribute that be paid 10 honest industry
are always awarded by me, much AS by those who
preach these doctrines oil democracy ~ favor OF ciVu
authority in the amoTies in preference TO the military.
have consulted the interest OF the public service, when
maintain that the present system Is better than the
system sf civil supernendence, and that II you change
il now you do il in the dark, merely TO give way to the
outsiders who wanthe money have no interest IN this
question but as il has assumed character altogether
different from that which 1t ought to have done, and
nsnuations have been made upon insiders when they
are refuted by the fact that the insiders cannot get any
thing aud that the only persons who want the money
are The outsiders who to make something provided
we have civil officers supersede the military officers
who get nothing addition 10 what they/ge by their
regular paw aud it is desired 10 substitute civil super
ntendents for the military, and pay them Tor what they
cannot perform well as II Is performed now, w'sb
these remarks 10 go out to the country DO not know
that il il the mechanics that object to the military rule
do not believe it is oppressive as Tar as can ascertain
and there no, branch OF the military service from the
humblest .odier up that will not tell you that this -
much better system than the one which proposed 10
substitute for II.
| / am perfectly willing that comparison oil the two
should be made But gentlemen are shrinking from the
ordeal OF comparison. The proposition ~ TO st the
merits OF the sysiems; and certainly you let them
enter into conast-the conlended Tor by the gentle
men who appeal 10 popular feeling in favor OF mechanica
and the military onethe latter will throw the other into
the shade II gentlemen afraid OF the comparison IL
is because il will have that influence the public mind
and now say that believe part OF the United States
interested in this matter, except the local communities
around Springfield and Harpefs Ferry have any obec-
lion TO the present system. have heard OF The
two military officers in charge OF the armories
pying places which they do not want have repeated
that before and i, s so, far can learn They do
not wish to occupy the places but when military
m in limited States will tell Won that this