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

Of knowledge winch. without their beog practical me,
ehanies fits them Tor the superIniendence OF Work OF
that sort What guaranty will you have that civil su-
pernlendent will have any snch general knowledge
much less that accurate aud valuable IN ofmauon winch
you may expect from officer OF the ordnance corps
We know, unfortunately, what considerations, entirely
foreign from those which should prevail often determine
the selection OF civilians for oihce; and as they have
gone 10 clergyman, whose vocation certainly would not
lead US 70 suppose maj ne would Dc peculiarly quaneu
for the superntendence OF an armory may we not ex'
pec that they will select hereafter civil superintendent
from class OF people utterly without qualifications or
not entirely without qualifications, al all events win
out full and adequate qualifications =
What, then, shall we gain by this change We shall
only increase the expenditures OF government and en-
large Executive patronage We shall only feed sui more
fully that lust OF Office which getting 10 be an absolute
disgrace TO the country, which likely to become
almost as general as the elective franchise ITSELF ana
which would convert and is converting members oil Con
gress from satesmen which they ought TO be- and by cou
tesy at all events are, into something for which they
never intended-mere grdtis advocates and once
brokers' That really TO to be the great busi,
ness which the public expect us to perform, anu
which, if we do perform will not leave us fragment OF
time for legitimate duties This proposed chanse III
stimulate this vaied appetite Tor Office admit thal
is but small sop 10 Cebcrus but 1t IS sop neVeIthe
less and il is one which think ought not 10 throw
TO the triple headed devourer.
Now, Mr. President. this military superintendent mas
continued for eleven years think II is incumbent upon
those who ask change the system TO show us, mol
sudden parte statements but on an examination
thoroughly and properly made by competent oicers per
of integrity and normaon that The present system
requires change. None such has been exhibited some
complaints have been made it is true, like those TO Whch
the senator from Massachusetts has uded, OF the dis
satisfaction the aboers with the strictness OF military
employment Sir if there should be anything oppressive
in the conduct of these military superintendens. what IS
than for those who oppressed 10 make com
plant TO the head OF the department. who unquesllonao
would interfere tnnless he were susn man as uus.
will 90 into that place. to protect them IRON such
expressions But sir is il not the nature OF man TO en-.
deavor escape from the just requirements OF labor
What else have been doing since our hst parents
driven from the garden of Eden except to cheat that
decree of Providence that must his bread by the
of his brow Men have pretty generally been try
Ing get their bread without that sweat OF the BROW or
at least with little OF it as possble and think that is
the reason here
Mr. HALE. That is the explanation of negro slavery.
[Laughterl
such oppression ndustTio honest, working
could reasonably complain of or ii there is It does not
result from the nature of The system but from the per-
sona character and peculiar temper OF the ocer at the
head OF the armoy; and that undoubtedly might be re.
moved by the Executive, and would be- if it turned cut
to be true have quite confidence enough in the ncon-
ing President and the gentleman who, have been told,
10 be Secretary OF War. 10 believe that they will not
tolerate any oppression Of the workmen Besides, the
peculares OF temper are as likely to be found IN
a civilian.
believe that there has been according to the proof
with which have been furnished, greater efficiency,
and certainly departure from economy, IN the manu-
iactuTe Of muskets and other arms in the armoes, under
this sy stem and greater efficiency is matter OF much
importance than mere economy Now, sir, think,
the system having been pretty well tried and good OBJ
lection having been shown why we should depart IRON
it, il obvious that this body ought not 10 change 1t IN
this method, upon the spur OF the occasion, upon mere
suggestion, il almost unaccompaned by any ar
gumeDt evidence and the passage OF an
ton bill trust the Senate will not act precpltaely,
but will throw this provision of the bill and if the
system is TO be changed ALL let be done on full ad
vsement, and alter thorough investigation
tTo BE CONTINUED