The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-06

with as much reluctance as any gentleman here, do any
thing which should reflect upon the character Of these
officers AS far as ! know them. they DO neir oay :.
know very well the superintendent OF the afmoLy 81
Springfield. and know him 10 be gentleman heiu ~
| honorable estimation | would wish, therefore, 70 10
nothing which should seem TO cast by lmphcauon' D'Ae
While say this, see that there disputes about
points which is very difficult for me 10 settle as oI eA
ample, there is a controversy about the expense ~ a
featuring Ii is said, on The one manu- ne hand
has been a reduction in the expense oh Jug o ',,
this is denied and il seems that you come 70 o
ar The other according the data which you ASSUME
Tban hare il DISPUTE on another pont-wheiher or not
the quality of arms has deprecated lhefe IS uisa-
greemen about that, and controversy
persons in regard this topic lhere bas peeh o some
lime considerable uneasness at Springfield IN regard 20 IL
/ NV difficulty is, that do not understand enough OF
This 10 undertake 10 settle and decide upon lis
merits and am called upon, il vote for this amend
ment 10 decide that question; whichever way l vote
must decide it, 1t becomes therefore, my duty to act
according TO my best Judgment forced to this allerna'
tye though there is array OF gentlemen OF great re-
sPectabily both sides of This question: who have ex
pressed decided opinions gentlemen who are known here
and who differ in regard 10 it. The officially, appre
bend. is that what they term military government over
who mechanics by profession and civilians is
the kind of government that adapted to their tastes
and feelings 1t is distasteu them, since the stringent
character of il rets the feelings and creates an uneasy
spirit Whether there is any injustice done or not is a
matter which shall not undertake to decide upon these
conflicting statements. conceive that that is the real
difficulty.
have turned this matter over in my mind. and have
some difficulty in dlsposng oil II to my own satisfaction
have thought that the President OF the United States
could settle this question great deal BETTER and more to
the satisfaction OF all concerned than could and m
tend to propose amendment which will declare THAI the
President OF the United States shall exercise his own
Judgment in this matter by continuing the present state OF
things il he deems that the public interests require IT. or
if the public interests, the other hand, demand civil
superintendent he may establish that system.
The President has the power to order an investigation
He has the power to look into this subject and to ascer
fnp Tho r,th tha aOnp
ate have not that power II is impossible for us TO do It,
Let the Presidents then, take and settle upon his own
culiies know Tha, ii may degenerate into mere po-
litcal matter, am aware. II is very likely that civil
superintendent will take that direction; but il is alleged
that that is to extent true. do not UNI
dertake endorse the truth of these allegations however
leave these matters they are and without OBTAINING the
Senate propose 10 amend the provso which the senator
after the words first day of July next" and insert
The of Congress, approved August 2s 1872 be 50
aoded that the President may If in his opinion The pub.
lie interest demands IT. place over any OF the armorIes
Superintendent, who does not belong to the army"
Mr.. PEARCE ] think il would be better that Con-
gres should wait until they have intmaon from the
Executive OF the necessity OF some change on this law,
beloIewe adopt The amendment OF the senator IRON
Massachusetts,. In the infancy OF our military system,
believe NE supernendens OF the amories were civilians
and theywere so, because at that time we had no ord
nance officers in the army Subsequently an ordnance
corps was created and to that corps the law as now
stands, nuss the management OF the armofes and the
ndDuaCtufe OF arms and ammunition lhat cnaDge was
made by law, Believe in 1912. 1t was not made with
out due consideration commission was organized IN
lS4l, to examine into this subject. That commission
made very thorough examination, and presented The
report which | have before me, and from which beg
leave to read few passages to the SENATE They say:
They deem OF primary importance 10 have the amo-
~ under the direction of the odnaRce department Such
an arrangement will insure permanent ana capable SUI
Tentendent, over whom the department, can exercise
military CONTROL aud who will be Responsible 70 the penalty
ms commission ana MS reputation as an omcef lo .he
ithul observance OF all the regulations established by the
department. II will also place the establishment beyond
he control of local and political influence, give pema
hence and uniformity 10 all It's operations and insure Just
ma impartial administration. Is OF me Ms. inpor'ance
hat the superintendent should be man Of science, wen
Acquainted with the best models OF the musket vered in
habits OF punctusy and orls and accustomed to control
and direct the abors OF others Those qusltes the board
suppose likely be found ordnance officer
who has attained sufficient rank in his 10 be Entrusted
with such important duties than among the various aPp
"sung awsfeqnire the appointment OF asupeInienoeht
Ut OF the army The board would suggest wheher the inter
e OF the government would be best served by requr-
K him 10 pc form his duties under the direction
oher of the ordnance corps Had this corps been IN
exence al the time OF the establishment OF the armones,
thes doubt that their entire direction
void have been conhded H. as hey were immediately
hc nagemen to military superintendent. and obyi-
atethe anomaly which has existed Of military establish.
men under the direction OF military department, and yet
subjct to the superintendence OF a civil head"
viii not read further from this report The Senate
viii bseTve that prior to this period the selection OF SUI
penhnden's OF the armores was not made with refer
cumbNt. Sometimes II presented an amusing incon-
gruy Before the establishment of this system by which
mty supervision was provided for these amories we
bad thng uar spectacle OF minister OF The gospel pre-.
siding Ger OF these Establishments very respect
able Coleman, have no doubt
Mr.. ale Why is that singular
Mr.. FARCE. think it is singular, because the pro-
fession ali duties OF minister OF the gospel not those
in the exrcse OF which he could acquire skill IN the
invenonr fabrication OF instruments OF death and des
trustion al know affinity between the clerical or
der, whosenssion OF peace earth and good will
TO men. an the military profession, unless we lind II IN
the answer conundrum-they both deal in the cannon
idD.
Il Perhaps, owever, the appointment may have been
due TO the resrend gentemans name, which was Robb
Whether the be any connexon between that word
and the pursts OF war, will not further suggest
tLaugblerl
We'll, SIR, N John c. Spencer when he was Secre-
tary OF War-ai think may say, without fear OF con-
tradclion, that asute man, with higher admin
itratve iaeultt presided over that department.
recommended tn change in report dated June 49, 1912,
IN consequences (Which the law OF August 49, OF that
year, was passed believe he had given it thorough
Investigation, as ID his predecessor. But the commits
sion to which ha referred reported the subject du-
ring his adminstrain Of the War Department. Subse.
quenty charges we made against the military superln-
! tendent OF one OF sc armores. have before me
copy OF the proceedl,s OF the court OF inquiry convened
to investigate the uh Of those charges propose to
read lew extracts ON the testimony taken then, TO
show the character the military management OF the
armory al Springfield In the testimony OF Mr. Pomeroy.
. manufacturer OF musi,s OF Pitlsdeld, find the follow
= ing:
~ since 1916. For twene ear, past ali INV contracts ha yo
% been predicsted upon hdels me- by which
make my verifying inst mens and be otherwise guided.
I'll had right TO bo,of from the armory 10
L.v. yag.r