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

ask m hst 70 ascertain whether there necessity Tor
II before the change be made and this additional expendi
ure authorized Shall we tax the government with the
expense OF TWO unnecessary officers, when have ord
nance officers who are doing quite as WE'LL TO say the
least, others do That the question Some OF
say that these ordnance officers doing better than
any civil superintendent ever did, Because of the differ
ence OF opinion say lei US have commission 10 inquire
into the truth OF the matter.
Now wish 10 state some facts and if The majority OF
the Senate is determined TO carry out lis views as ex-
pressed yesterday by their vote, want some material
facts and circumstances OF the TO 20 forth 10 the
country accompanying that vote. | am not as well ac.
quantei with the details of the business at Harpers Ferry
as at Springfield and therefore will moi speak OF bolh
in the same connexon, but comparatively and approx
malely do ! say that at the Springfield armory, when
The civil system OF snpernendency was changed for the
military system, the civil superintendent had SO little
control OF the business little power in his hands TO
regulate the wages the time OF the work OF the work
men, and so little power TO control the number employed
that the cost OF pusket at that armory was as high as
~ Mr.. RUsR, RRiUsSRy' When was ha,s
Mr.. BELL Priorto IS4l Then the cost of the mus
ket, including wages and materials, SIT or SIT so.
| Mr.. DESAUSSUhE. What is ii now
Mr.. BELL The cost of the musket now at Spring
field is from 50 SO 10 $40 Honorable senators may say
OF materials, but they should remember that labor has
not cheapened The TACT is that there has thus been
reduction OF between w. and S5 on the cost oil the mus
ket. Ii any gentleman denies this fact should like to
hear his authoy and he does not deny i let US have
commission to inquire. The labor on the musket, in
dependent OF Inc materials, formerly cost upon an aver.
I
making difference OF S3 50, or nearly - Oh each
muske manufactured, in the cost Of labor alone Then
what is the further act2 There is between twenty
hve and thirty per cent more labor required on The mus
ket, made according to the model adopted al the
moriest than required upon the old model This diff.
ference oi labor is chiefly owing 10 the higher finish OF
the work yet there has been reduction OF nearly "a
upon the mere cost o the labor upon the muskei oI the
new model Another material fact Is. that the wages Of
labor has in the mean time been slightly Increased instead
OF being reduced the great saving appearing 10 nave
grown out OF the greater regularity with which the bas
ness has been conducted.
state these 10 be facts and ask what is the Of
them The is, that the civil superintendent was
under the control OF the workmen and not they under his
control. They controlled him both 10 the hours Of
working and OF their wages, IN good degree and
predict that if change takes place. and that system be
esorled TO again, Will happen now as happened then
They will control the superintendent and not he them
do not mean as 10 wages altogether, but as TO the times
they will work; the number OF hours in the day the
number OF days IN the week, and i'll the month They
will come and go when they please How can that be
ployee about the establishment and their friends in the
locality will, in fact appoint The superintendent Can
any gentleman deny These very persons who pc
uionng for this change those of them who work
at the amofiss, go and apply 10 the President,
and say they want such appointed superintendent;
that it is the workmens wish and will he not be ap-
pointed Is he not, then, their Gomnee-ther ap-
polnee'
know tha, great deal of what have stated is de.
MED IL is said that there is not this great difference IN
favor of the military system Then let investigate The
facts The ordnance officers say these the facts, and
that they will turn out TO be so upon investigation
want investigation to see whether they are true or false
and think is true policy 10 institute commission
10 inquire for the satisfaction OF ALL how the facts
What have stated has been upon sufhcien, authority
think state the facts in regard TO the Springfield armo
ry upon the authority of those who responsible to
the public and 10 their character ior the truth Of
whit have said in relation 10 IT.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. | am in favor OF the provision as IL
came fron-the House have listened 10 the debates
here, and find that the objection to il consists in this
that there camor the part oi The outsiders 10 have
change Most OF the Arguments, seems, are addressed
10 that point, and given TO understand that we
ought moi 10 make The change because the outsiders
want IT, Did you ever know the insiders 10 desire a
change [Laugherl | never did They are generally
content with the existing state OF things matter how
gross the abuse may be, how stern The necessity for
reform. The insiders never clamorous Tor change
and if not allowed 10 listen TO the OUTSIDERS do
not know whom 10 hear in favor of any reform
therefore dismiss that point frequently made by
aors who oppose this change, as not entitled TO great
deal OF consideration II il is true that the outsiders want
change, ii is only evdance that the people are not con-
tent with the existing state OF things say il there be
such clamor at doors, and thunder in our ears
upon all sides, 1t is only evidence that there is dssas
faction and discomfort which demand our attention.
great deal has been said about lobby members. II
i, said that we are surrounded by extrsneous influences
pressing this That there are citizens here
desiring the proposed reform Is not denied That there
are lobby members here, both sides, cannot be denied
That they IN our chamber, visiting senator
after senator, in his seat, and lobbying all the time on
The military side, while those on the oor are charging lob
byng on the other side cannot with truth be denied Every
senator knows il to be So We see them passing from
desk 10 desk eeciioneerng the military side of the
question, while denouncing the lobby mem.
bers the other side,
Mr. BU TIER. Has any military man been here TO.
day
MIR. DOUGLAS. do not know about a military man,
bat persons acting for the military have been here,
and here; aud their relatives the personal friends
OF military men, have been and now here eecuoneer-
ing. do not blame them for They are honorable men,
accomplished gentlemen of them personal friends OF
mine like them, and listen TO them with respect But
do not like this system OF lobbying on the foor, while
their friends in with them denouncng lobby
ing influences evidences OF corruption DO not IKE
LII think it ought be stopped. You may begin and
count out the lobby members the part of the citizens
and will count equal number on the other side, and
show them lace TO face within the range OF my eye now
could begin and call very long roll by name within
The reach OF my vision now. Hence think we had bet
ter say nothing about lobbying, and look at this
question upon its merits
| have listened TO both sides of this question. have
not guarreled with any who wished 10 enlighten
me / have listened patiently TO him have nothing
TO say against citizens and officers OF the who have
called upon TO give their explanations OF this question.
Ii IL due to them gentlemen, men OF intelligence, ee-
ing interest in the question, that we should hear
them and what they can urge IN favor OF their re-
specve systems.
Then, sir, wish to say word or two upon the great
objection which is brought forward with much emphasis
by the senator from Tennessee. He says that u you
have civil superintendent, be will be appointed ahd
controlled by the aborers and that If have military
superintendent he is appointed by the government me
Question: hen he says which arises rs, whetnef you
will allow the labores TO employ their own supehend-
ent. or the government employ one tor them on, 40
nst understand that be fair statement OF the case Is
that with every civil you nave
Il al fhn hnn n.lQ al Y1a