The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-08
IN CONGRESS- OF THE u. STATES
Thirty second Congress Second Session.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 80, 1858.
I'm coRriNuATioE.l
SENATE.
ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL.

Mr. BORLAND The proposition OF the senator ifdni o.,
Massachusetts is, as understand H. 10 cohei upou 'n'
President BY express enactment, power 70 pu'
maria. under such supervision he may ihink proper
aoprehend that he possesses that power aireadyi ana
the only effect OF that amendment II seems 10 me- would
be reflect not only upon the mead OF e hu noo n
officers OF the army who have been lnlrusted win the
vision of these srmoes is, therefore, not neces-
say adopt it, and II adopted lis only enec. VIII oe IN,
directly 10 cast where we have no evidence that
The senator from Illinois, the chairman of the Com
mittee on Military Affairs, Mr. SHIELDs very properly
aid as think and with great force well proprety
that il this change is 10 be made, those who propose II
should show good reason Tor II: Now, to the
Senate at any rate no reason nag oeen show
10 give reason but very strong, very good, and, in my
opnio~, very coacasve reasons have been given why
the change should not be made Inc armores are now
them has been improved every year. and Is now Delle
than it has before been There is evidence upon
good authority here that not only has the quality OF me
arms been improved but greater economy has been OBJ
tanned II seems 10 that Tor these reasons alone we
should oppose the change. 49,
Mr. President have no preudices IN favor OF the ar
morv II have preiudices at aand trust have none
or a. few as any ese-they are IN dHeeht dlrec-
tion But have enough OF the operations OF the
srmory, in the manufacture and preparaon OF arms az
kast 10 satisfy me that the SYSTEM as IS now conduct
cd is wise PRACTICAL and useful one as good perhaps
as we can attain the present time mat thee are per
sons civil life who desire profitable ana inc
certainty which the payment OF salaries from the federal
government would give hem who wish TO get INTO these
places as supentendents OF the amories is very natural
We on all sides not only no snwihgness 70 serve
the government but desire for otlce, which am COM
PEELED say anything but crediabe 10 the character
Of the American citizen, only this instance but in
almost every department OF the from one
would be in good taste, and that would be good policy,
looking the interests and the character OF the govern
meht to discourage rather than encourage such spirit
as is overspeading country, and in my opinion de-
grading the character of American citizens. We hnd
them coming from all quarters begging at the door OF the
federal treasury to become spendares upon the govern
ment unwilling to throw themselves into the world, and
into the general competition in which all citizens pro-
ected alike. dependent upon their own individual exer
ons. and their merit TO sustain them IN the pursuit
OF any business which their talents or their tastes may
lead them to engagen For this general reason should
be opposed 10 any change
The seaator from Illinois, think very properly, sug-
gested that If we make this change at ALL and place the
armores under civil superlnendence we should abolish
the whole system, and lei the government, like the ndi-
vdual citizens when il desires 10 purchase arms go into
the market and purchase where II obtain the cheap
est and best But long as we retain our system
of manufacturing arms part of military system,
and under the general supervision Of the War Depart
ment | insist that should be violating very i'm
porant principle of action ii refused TO permit the
head OF the War Department, the chief Executive of
the nation, to employ such agencies as they may deem
best to the laws which Tor their govern
ment l think ought to permit the head OF the War
Department be judge OF the agencies, 10 say where,
and when, and by whom these arms shall be manufac
deake by legislation, and especially by such legislation
as this 10 incorporate an important law, changing an
important system OF operations in the public service upon
an appropriation BILL as mere amendment, we rsn-
ming wild going in direction which will be In
furious to the public service.
Complaint has been made-and the amendment seems
to have grown out OF that complant-that the discipline
required in the armory by The military supernendens is
oppressive, tyrannical, and unjust do not believe a
word OF it know from my own observation that the
operations in the amores and all the other branches of
he wi her
Quoted with great regularity and great system There is
an exacness OF hours and OF habits required the part
OF the employees have never known oppression. II
may exist but has not come under my observation.
Blu, do know this so far as my observation enables
TO Judge, that the persons employed in the military
wee orr our 90 less work ior the amour,
supervision. Wherever | have seen them they labor
fewer hours in the day. they required TO labor less
actively during the time they are engaged, and they
better paid than persons in civil employment. | ask
even il the complaints well founded, If oppression
does exist, why should they continue in this employment
when they leave II whenever they think proper.
and get employment under civil supervision They
enlisted soldiers they mechanics and ar,i-
who be employed or get clear OF employment
a, their will al any time when they think proper to
leave it.
There is no reason why there should be oppression
why these men should be uniustly treated. The militia
ry supernendens have no nducement TO be oppressive
or require work than the individuals can per.
form They derive individual profit from the opera
ons of the armories They get their regular salaries
and perform their regular duties, and whether the
ployees work 6ve or ten hours in the twenty -four
whether they work hard or not, whether they get well
paid not the superintendent OF the amory derives no
benefit Ii s unnatural 10 suppose unless presume
monster in the shape oi military officer who supern-
ends armoy that this oppression and tyranny, this
exactng from workmen harder conditions than is proper
for the performance of the work. should exist do moi
believe any such thing hope the amendment proposed
by the senator from Massachusetts will be opted
but that shall adopt the proposed amendment of
the senator from Illinois, and strike out the provision
entirely.
Mr. ToUCEY. Mr. President, | propose TO give nv
vote, notwithstanding what has been said in favor Of
the amendment submitted by the honorable senator from
Massachusetts, Mr. DAvIs in the FIRST place. and if that
does not prevail in favor OF the bill came from the
COMMITTEES and IRON the House of Representatives This
subject has come up suddenly and unexpectedly shall
not say anybing with regard 10 the particular
menl in either of the armories My vote will be con.
rolled by Two raons shall for the anne nd
ment OF the senator from Massachusetts on the ground
that leaves 10 the appointing power the whole field
from which to select in making the appointments and
willing to intrust TO him the power which the cons
tuition has conferred upon him, OF apponng-and where
nis necessary with the OF this body-pubc off
GETS an. not willing TO restrict him by law TO the army
ot lne ohce OF the army, or TO any corps IN the army
= ~ appointing the superintendent OF armory The
pus'ne" 10 be superinended is strictly mechanical one
our aims must be made by mechanics The officers in
eaimy ana The soldiers IN the army them when
ey are made and they select The best arm after IL
pas oeen made, upon trial But they cannot manu- facture
IN nm. rs Out OF their province. On the contrary,
ioe am ~ 10 De manufactured by the Mechanics of The
country, wherever they perform their uork No,v sir
Am no prepared 70 say here by my vote that the mechan
ics OF tnis country cannot furnish the best
ems OIL mechanical business. | think il ia mat,er M
pooI no,o'ey, unal me Establishments which already
ex or tne manufacture OF FIRE arms under priva,e con
troll are ahead OF your armores / ,b;nt 80 -, - .o
Adjustments hnd II dhcplt to keen mn rp;,h r,. r, ~