The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-15


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grow out OF The proposed amendment OF the senator from
Illinois Had The provision remained The Senate deter
mined, and as from the House, there would have
been an end 10 the matter without iube expense and
trouble From the experience OF years past in relation
TO The civil well as the military administration Of The
armores, the fact Is pretty well asoerianed that the
mores were IN quite as prosperous CONDITION under civil
they have been under military rule do not wish 10
dsparage either; but from the very nature OF the work
and The character OF the mechanics and artisans who
employed in ~ It s clear that harmony never can exist
between a military ruler and civil employees. One has
ideas OF discipline and obedience Tor man. and the Others
have pride 10 prompt them II they are not constrained
by military authority. harmony may exist between the
experimenting authority and the employees because
then IL will depend not the caprice OF individuals, but
their superior qualifications and industry and civil
ans will Judge more imparlially oil these things than
military gentlemen, accustomed 10 command. do
So long military gentlemen remain III command of civ
ians not subject to the rules and regulations of
pressly you will never have harmony and have
successful operation oil the business OF the armories
MIR. SHIELDS. The honorable senator TO think
that the amories are under military rule. They
such thing They are under regular system, il is true
but It's peculiar thing that here two institutions
intended for The naon and the localities in which they
exist want TO get possession OF them This the whole
struggle
Nj. HOUSTON. We all know the duties Of regular
soldiers, and like TO see etiquette, discipline subordna-
ton, and respect from them TO their officers. like to
see IN the employees Of the and fidelity to
man OF the Committee on Military Affairs, Mr. SHIELDS,
if il is not true that the civilians approach the
mandant OF The armoy without salung him as regular
soldier would do understand that that is required OF
them, and il is looked npon by them as an act
| OF humiliation TO which they do not wish TO sub
init ! am Tor subordnatioa in the army am Tor
courtesy IN civil lie. Men are willing to accord II when
II is not exaced as duty But if you exact II OF any
citizens, mechanics, Otherwise they never will per-
form with good grace for all who free have
PRIDE They may do with great Difference II II were not
requlstion, but dependent upon their own choices but i
you make i duty and exact Of them, they never will
render willing and quescent obedience.
Mr.. BAYARD. The effect of the amendment of the
senator from Massachusetts,, as understand is 80 far to
modify the existing law to authorize the President, in
his discretion, to resort either the army civil lie for
the purpose OF appointing these supernlendents for
one am willing TO trust HIM with that discretion II
seems to TO be administrative duty and should
not be afraid OF lis beiag abused II seems to me- u-
her that it affords wider scope for his selection than if
you conne HIM 10 one or the olhereher To military or
civil life.
The amendment TO the amendment, OF which am also
in favor from the honorable senator from Illinois,
chairman OF the Committee Military Affairs. 1t pro,
poses 10 make inquiry into the fact which of these
interests OF the country. Now, with great Difference to
the honorable senator from Texas, Mr.. HoUsToN1 |
must say that II seems TO me that the facts are not pretty
well asceralned with reference TO this point.
There is about nearly equal division Of opinion in
the Senate in reference TO the proprey OF the different
systems, that opinion being founded OF course on expe
enee and the facts In connexon with the two modes
OF superintendent. Surely there be nothing
reasonable in trusting in the interim The President OF the
United States TO appoint either CIVILIAN or an olcer OF
The army and then going on 10 ascertain The facts tary
by mixed commission OF civilians and military officers
That understand 10 be the proposition OF the senator
from Illinois, and think. If the amendment be amended
in that way, 1t will reach the true merits OF the III
II be true that this attempt is nothing than poi
cal speculation, with view TO the advancement ot per-
sona n,rigues or the personal interests OF the local resi-
dents in the places where the amores situated, that
commission will be able 10 ascertain the facts. IT, on the
contrary be trueand II may be lrue-and have some
reason 10 think that may be-hat military officer, IN
ahnrxx 1trIa At haUa
our arms, introduces TOO rigid system. which the gen.
erality of American mechanics would be unwilling 10
bear, which is different from their habits and CUSTOMS
the commission will also ascertain that fact and hav-
ing The facts before can ultimately determine
which is the proper system OF superintendent. do not
think the country will be in danger II in the mean time
we leave 10 the discretion OF the President 10 make
choice
Mr.. HOUSTON. | think the amendment OF the gen.
ileman IRON illinois is defective in one particular. and
think when his attention called 10 ii he will perceive
IL himself II does not slate what number OF civilians
shall be selected Tor the purpose OF investigating this sub
lect, or what number OF array officers. think il would
be necessary 10 insert something as to the number.
MIR. SHIELDS. would state TO my honorable friend
from Texas that that lett TO the discretion OF the Sec
rotary OF War. take II Tor granted that he will appoint
an equal number OF civilians and OF army officers Now,
put II 10 him as hIgh-mlnded and honorable gentle
man. and senator, II IT Is not due 10 these two dstn
gushed officers, against whose reputation some charges
have been nade thai an Investigation should be had
We are acting as everybody knows, without sufficient
Information Is II not due 10 these officers TO have some
investigation We sometimes do great lnlusnce without
intending IL. have not word 10 say against those
gentlemen who are making EFFORT 10 change the sys
tenn. They have an interest in doing They want TO
get the management OF it, That is fair thing on their
parts. But here two officers Colonel Huger and
Colonel Ripley, as gallant, brave. and as honorable
men as any in the army OF the United States Charges
have been made quietly against these men. This action
seems TO give judgment against them Is it not just, Is
not fair to them, that we should have this investigation
even for that purpose
Mr.. HOUSTON. | will answer the gentleman as he
has presented his proposition. think that the gentlemen
IN command OF the armories all that he represents
them 10 be. The armories ignally carried on
under the direction OF the Secretary of War, and they
We're headed by civilians They prospered in that copdi
ton. change was made. That change did not increase
the number of officers, but il called gentlemen from their
appropriate duties in the line of the army thus devoving
an undue amount OF duty upon those who remained al
Their stations These gentlemen now in command OF
these afnoes have been selected for that purpose Will
not be an Inconvenience 10 them TO return their duty
the line OF The army. IL is reflection upon them, be-
cause they only go back where they intended by
law and by their rank TO remain II insinuaons have
been made the action OF the Senate would not change
public opinion IN relation TO the matter, il that opinion
detrimental to the officers An investigation, think, has
already taken place. and that has only been source OF
additional camor to that which previously existed, be-
cause IT was military investigation. Civilians COM
planned that they heard treated with courtesy
on that occasion.
Inc only way in my opinion is for the Senate TO set
tie this question has been done by the House OF Rep
districts OF country upon the floor, and were heard
where their views considered by their peers in The
House. That House TO the conclusion that 1t was
necessary to make this change and back TO the ogl-
nal plan OF conducting these armories. That Is all
the House has done, and willing TO sustain il in