The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-08

uon aulnuizhg lhe Secretary OF Var, al his dscreon
10 arm mem with Colts pistols, provided could be done
without injury TO the public service they repayng the
government what had been paid for them. went TO the
War Department and talked with the Secretary, He sent
for the gentleman who then al The head OF the ord
nance corps, who said at once by all manner OF means
let them have them should be very glad TO get md OF
them me men wlll shoot themselves with them; they
cannot shoot an enemy they constantly getting out oil
orders and they are the greatest humbug OF the and
he earnestly advised the Secretary let the emigrants
have them, In order to get rid OF them knew nothing
about the then; but do know This that the gov
ement never bought one until Congress ordered il to be
done by joint resolution, and know that they OBJ
tanning such reputation in Europe that they armng
themselves with them there instance this only TO show
that is part OF the practice OF that corps to down
and discourage all improvements OF that kind which do
not come from themselves.
AS to the gentlemen who have charge of the amory,
know personally The one to whom the honorable SEN
ator from South Carolina has alluded. A more gallant
duty which he is called to discharge is one which is not
perfectly agreeable to him. and that he would rather pre-
fer some other duty. satisfied there is no personal
lnpntatlon intended IN this proposition But ms IS
case which are TO look first with eye to the in
ees of the government and then to the convenience Of
the citizens My own mind is not yet salished with re-;
gard TO the wisdom OF making any change, though |
believe would be better to make II than to Keep up the
present feeling which exists. unless II can be shown hat
It will result inarously to the country II It shall be
found after the change is made il should adopt the
provision which from the House, that the interests
of the government are preldiced, It Will be N the power
Of the Secretary to inform Congress and give the reasons
Then apprehend OF things would result II It be
found to be fact there is such an incompaioiy be-
the civil pursuits OF life and military rule that they
be blended the must be separated from
it, the armores discontinued and the manufacture OF the
arms put out to private contract 1t nas come 10 mar
am not prepared to say ! know that one branch OF
arms--cannon-from the foundation OF the government
this day have been made altogether by private con-
tract How far may be wise to put small arms IN lhe
same condition. do not know. But, as the question
stands shall vote for the provision as II came from
MR.. BORLAND | rise to correct misapprehension
| was under when addressed the Senate before, with
regard 10 the act of 1912 In making objection 10 the
amendment proposed by the honorable from Mas
sachuses, said that to accomplish the purpose which
he sought, there necessity Tor the amendment be-
the already gave the power asked Tor ma by
reference 10 the ITSELF that the choice OF the Pres
iden is limited to officers OF the ordnance corps My I'M
preston was that he had authority to select from any
quarter His amendment, therefore, to accomplish the
object he seeks necessary but there other reasons
and very good suggested by SENATOR'S why we should
make the change asked for would throw upon the
President duty which would lead 10 great deal OF the
unpleasant OF all embarrassments which any public
officer could be exposed to- and subject him to the neces
sy OF encounteng all the outside pressure whch results
from persons cong here and besegDg every department
of the government legislative and executive, Tor JOBS
would subject him to it, would not change the law
il stands, wheo its effect would be TO subject MN
| TO that inconvenience Let it stand as It Is
| Mr.. President will make only one remark more. IL
has been sa remarked before, that the basis OF the
proposed change the misconduct OF the ohcers supern
lending these armores Well, sir, learn, and suppose
there be doubt OF the fact that these complaints
made long ago against the superintendent OF the
amory at Springfield 50 tar from the department here
or the President seeking to shield the officer charged
with improper conduct from punishment or censure,
court ordered, and he tired, and honorably &C
Quilted after the whole matter had been fully and fairly
investigated and he found TO have discharged his
duties in all respects not only generally, but IN the very
items OF economy, and IN the Improvement OF me qoaly
of the arms He was sustained. The fact was shown
that the arms which were made under his superinend
only better bu, that they had been made at
a less cost TO the government So much for The com
plants made then. The evidence now satisfies me that
| he has gone on from that time, and made the still
better than before, and has made great reduction IN the
cost
| Mr. PHELPS am not disposed to detan the Sem
ale with a speech on this subject. recoec very well
the time when the superintendency changed from
civil TO military rule, and believe IT was done at that
time upon the recommendation the OF the
Secretary OF War From that time, 1912, to the present
time these establishments have continued under the mil
ilary superinendence now desire TO ask whether we
have before any n,lmation from the War Department.
or any other department of this government. that evils
have grown out of this system which require inter-
feencei II this system has met the appreciation OF the
department, and evils suggested why change IL
But NAV 20 further, and ask what intmation have
from any source which calls for interference It's
said there is dissatisfaction Suppose there be; shall
we act upon that suggestion without first ascertaning
whether that dissatisfaction is well founded Shall we
be led into any change OF policy in this respect simply
upon sumses which are floating about this Capitol Or
our DUTY before enter upon this important change
10 make an investigation OF the OF these surmses
and ascertain the iactsl When we have ascertained
those facts we act inielligenty.
II anything is done officially this subject am al
together in favor of the suggestion OF the senator from
Tennessee The very first and the only proper step in
my Judgment is, If these rumors deserve consldera
ton, to institute an inquiry to ascertain the facts which,
as have said will enable TO act integenty. But IL
seems TO me we proceeding rashy, If we attempt TO
bring about this important change and act upon no bet
ter data than surmses and pleas of dissatisfaction
Suppose the change is now made on the ground that
there is disadection 10 the country, and the President
appoints civil superintendent. will there be less In
my Judgment, il the change s made with no better
grounds for ii than those we have now, we shall have
a perpetual fermentation, and a constant demand for
changes repeat, If anything is DONE lei the suggestion
of the senator from Tennessee be adopted and lei a
proper inquiry be instituted, that we may have the
facts then we shall be enabled to act
Mr. HUNTER. The chairman of the Committee on
Military Affairs has informed that he has great
many amendments TO offer hope may now have a
vote on The question before us.
Mr.. DAVIS | presented, yesterday, petition on this
subject which represented TO be signed by FIVE hun
ldred legal OF the OF Springfield That petit
that the persons 10 the armory are, in their judgment,
oppressed by the military power-by the government over
them. do not pretend TO vouch for the truth OF the
statements made IN the petition but il is signed by large
numbers OF the people living there, who daily witness
what occurs This is not the on testimony before Con
nor examine into It's character or Its object, II true.
Several gentlemen, in the OF the remarks which
they have made, have stated what is true, that from the
time this change made down TO this day, there has
been constant uneasiness and feeling OF dissatisfaction.
All desite is, not to undertake to settle this question
upon the facts which exist before but that there shall
be competent commission OF or other to
go there aud upon the spot examine and determine
whether the evils exist not My honorable friend from
Vermont MT PHELps there has been comp laint