Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-12-24


purposes OF harbor and river improvement This mode
than which could be equitable none more con-
sstent with that principle Of equal burdens and benefit
to every section which pervades the constiuon and cha
racerizes all its provisions, would certainly avoid tina
conflict Of jurisdiction which attention has been
and, in all places having considerable commerce sub
eet to the imposition of tonnage duties would be entire
ly adequate.
For the protection of ships-of-war and of commerce
from storms and the attacks of hostile fleets lake
harbors Of refuge essential to ohe
means of national defence, and intimately connected
with the maintenance OF navy. AS such harbors woul
sometimes have little commerce. and these speca
duties and taxes could be made available for thei
improvement and protection it would be requisite in suci
treat the constructions Government works.
acquire the right of soil and jurisdiction the site
The public right of of all the navgable waters Of h
United States belonging equally to all their citizens
some of the rivers of country washing many States
and consequently not TO the jurisdiction Of either
these national highways bear peculiar relations sucl
to the powers and functions of the General Government
its dependence upon them for the transportation inspe
sable for the defence Of the frontiers the other
terests which involved well known that il can
not be necessary to enforce elucidate them.
In considering these necessities and interests is for
chilly reminded of the change which has occurred in the
condition OF country since the date when the Union
founded The population and are no longer
confined to Underwater and the neghborhood Of the
coast but the unexplored wderne has become the
of popuous States and Of commercial cities The app-
cation OF steam to river has borne the tide of
for thousands Of miles beyond the tide of the
sea- and is herein presented which the trainers of
the constitution could not have anticipated specifically
provided for.
If the enjoyment of this public right and the interest
and convenience OF the General Government, shall be
deemed sufficient to warrant further operations for the
of temporary and accidental distractions in
natural channels, additional appropriations win be
qured for the expenses of the dredges and
boats but if the Congress shall decide to discontinue
their employment for this purpose, it will be advisable
that directions should be given to dispose of the boats
and other means which have been provided for their use
before deterioration and decay shall have rendered them
valueless.
The survey of the lakes it progresses continues
afford results of practical usefulness No appropriations
for military and geographical surveys west of the Msss
spp have been made for few years past but with
the remains of former appropriations explorations
promising results of much value have been undertaken
The Secretary hopes that Congress will in the
pediency of continuing these appropriations which Che
says have afforded the Of obtaining that general
information respecting the interior Of the continent which
necessary the Government and Of such essential
advantage to the population spreading itself
those Territories.
Contracts have been made for the continuation Of roads
in Minnesota agreeably to the provisions of the of
January 7, 1853 Under act of the date two mi
itary roads in Oregon have been placed in charge of
competent officer, with instructions to complete wagon
road as speedily possible. The Report proceeds:
BY the Sd section of the law approved March 8, 1853
it is enacted that the Secretary of War be directed
report to Congress whether in his opinion it would
be more economical proper, and advisable to all
the of the United States to be made by contract
In complying with this requirement shall exclude all
involved in the question of
features by the General Government and suppose
intended confne the expression of opinion the
relations the subject bears the military service and
the relative merit of the existing SYSTEM and that of
tracing for the manufacture of all Viewing the
armories part of the military preparations for the
Defence it is deemed essential that they should
be under the control of the War Department and advan
tageous necessary that such establishments should
exist under the charge of competent and experienced
officers of the army to the end that uniformity may
be obtained and all the improvements and efficiency
secured which zeal and skill would seek and
produce. To this, the existing state of the case
standard have referred to the proposition to make all
by contract, and have reached the following
illusions:
lst As to the economy Of the measure. Under pro-
per administration Of national armory it is believed
that be obtained cheaper by Government
facure than by contract Labor and all materials may
be obtained upon good if not better, by the
public than by private armorie because of the greater
promptness and security of payment The permanence
OF employment must constitute inducement work
men to enter the national workshops But suppose them
things to be equaand the disadvantage certainly
be the side Of the Governmental follows that the
original cost would not be greater in the public than in
the private armory To this in the cost of the Govern
ment manufacture, there is nothing to add But in the
of the private contractor there be profit
the manufacture not only sufficient the interest
the investment but also the hazard which will attend
q contract necessarily made for short period Expe
rience has established several facts which to my
mind conclusive to the economy of the present mode
Of manufacturing small Since the year 1910 the
cost of making muskets has been much reduced
exclude competition, and contracts have since that
year been made for the manufacture of muskets The
prices paid for those then contracted for high
Sl625 for and not less than so for the residue
At the national armores the prices averaged about $40
for muskets Since 1910 the contract price for rifles
based the cost of the national armores has been
duced from $3.50 to S1162t each, which exceeds the
cost of that arm at Hapers Ferry armory during the last
fiscal year by 81.
Without the practical knowledge of the actual of
manufacturing arms secured to the Government by
the results at the national armores there would be
standard for determining proper rates for contracts and
without the which these armories afford to supply
the wants Of Government there is believe it
might be subject to extraordinary prices for from
time to time required.
ID As to the propriety of the measure 1t is believed
that national establishments for the manufacture of arms
necessary to improve their models and to keep the
standard Of materials and workmanship. Whilst the
interest and the professional reputation Of officer of
the army in charge of national armory would impe
him to introduce all improvements his military associa-
tons would lead him to learn, and his military expert
ence teach him the value Of notifications made
either in his other countries On the other hand
the interest Of the private contractor would be indeh
ntey to reproduce the model originally furnished to him.
because every change would require either the abandon
ment of his tools, machinery, &C., q modification to
adapt them to the manufacture of the improved model
For this reason and also because his workmen would be
less expert upon modification than upon form to
which they accustomed every change would be to
the contractor evil in which he would increased
trouble and diminished profits
The national armories are also necessary to keen nm
standard workmanship and fin in rfrapt