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

10 sustain him." Renewed aughter1 Science, military
science, is TO give way TO all these temptations for ofce
| cannot vote for it. / think il unjust | speak with a
little feeling this. because OF my friend and con-
suent, Colonel Huger. who is now in the supernlend-
ence OF the armory at Haper's Ferry. lie takes no
special interest in the question he wishes to give up hs
present position and be transferred TO another and SC
does Colonel Ripley So far as regards them they do mol
wish the position. But in relation 10 their conduct, II
any censure is implied in this proposed change, rise TO
vindicale them against any lmpuaton either OF using
arbitrary favor or deficiency IN the performance oil heir
duties.
i Mr. BELL. have listened to the representations OF
intelligent gentlemen out of the Senate on both sides ol
the observation-disclosures who appear to be iaif-minded-
and although concur with the sentiments OF ihe senator
from Illinois, the chairman of the Committee on Mill
ary Affairs, and those delivered by the senators from
Maryland, South Carolina, and Arkansas. as to the Ell
ceney OF the supernendence by officers OF the ordnance
corps the amories and that IL has been more ell
hcent than the civil superinence, yet complaints
have been made long, and have been repeated SO oen
and interested men perhaps have taken such pains TO
propagate their views OF the character OF this superin
endence. particularly in reference to the unpopular and
odous feature OF what is called military rule, that de-
cded impression has been made upon the country, not
only upon the Immediate vicinity OF the establishments,
but more extensively and would suggest, as means
of giving the satisfaction which the country may want
and require, and TO put end to these complaints and
to prevent their becoming so extensive and having SO
great control the general setinent TO force
abandonment OF the superinendence of the armores by
the ordnance officers altogether, would be better
take middle Let the snperinendence stand
il is at present. by law and the regulation OF the depart
/
States shall at his election say what shall be the char
acte of the superntendence. but that he shall be
qured or authorized to appoint joint commission of
civilians and ordnance officers 10 examine into the
grounds OF the complaints against the superintendent of
the military officers and the character of the military rule
which is 30 much complained oil see what the defects
OF it, any there be, and whether there has been any
| improvement on the old system OF management under
civil supernendence, and then let Congress at the
session decide the question.
The proposition at present. is by way of an amend
ment to an appropriation bl-a very unusual course,
and which the Senate has repeatedly said they would
not abide by-to make material alteration in the legal
regulation by which the armories conducted. have
knowledge OF the history of the change in the
perntendence of the national armories is not alto
gether, party matter now This application is not
pressed upon Congress much by partisans of one
party the other as 1t is by aggregation of the NAL
contents of both parties Sir in s4l when the change
was made, remember very well that there were loud
and complaints from the armores not only from
the wokmeD and employees incidentally employed about
the establishments but from the whole population around
them-whigs and democrats 1t not confined TO one
party although the democrats in ls4l, when the change
had taken place, were in power and expected to 60
of the superinlendency with all the civil dependencies
tached TO the establishments, they almost louu
the wings themselves. bringing their complaints TO The
Executive OF the United States against the proprety and
wisdom of making that change.
As Tor the whgs very well remember II was the opin-
ion of many leading wings in the neghborhood of one
OF the establishments, which was decidedly whig dis
lrict that the prospects OF the whg party would be de-
| stroyed there if any such change should take place
delegation of wings from large meeting was
sent to the executive government of the United
States 10 remonstrae against the change, the
ground that the civil superinendency doing very
well there was complaint against il; neither wings
democrats had anything against it, and that if it
made 1t would operate TO The detIment OF the whig
party, without bringing any adequate advantage 10 the
country or 10 the public service Then again in 1s42,
believe the remonsrance repeated agans, the change
In lS45 similar Temonslranccs were made; and il is
peaed again at the commencement of a administra-
ton. When democratic administration in ia ls45
the democratic party perhaps took the lead IN the
men,i but understand that the Secretary of War at
that time Governor Mircy) much interested by
the complaints which were made on one side against,
and the high praises which he heard reiterated the
other 10 favor OF the military management that he paid
a visit to the Springfield armoTy that he might Judge
| from personal inspection.
Mr. HALE He went there more than once.
Mr. BELL. He visited the armory more than once
the senator from New Hampshire says, and his iudg-
ment confirmed the wisdom OF the change which had
taken place | remember also, the nature OF many OF
the abuses which said TO have existed under the
civil superintendence will not repeat them here.
perfectly satisfied that the present arrangement is the
proper one, and that II would do well 10 have the
selected suggested by the senator from
Connecticut from the corps OF mechanics, acturers
OF arms themselves because there is very great differ
enoe between selecting mechanic TO supernend pu b.
lie institution Of this kind and mechanic who superin-
tends his establishment; for. in the latter case his
own interest will be sufficient guaranty that he will
attend 10 the proper construction OF the arms, and insure
their passing the proper inspection. But, nowithsta
ing all this, think II would be more satisfactory. and
more apt TO maintain the present practice OF placing ord
nance officers at the head Of these institutions If we
would, in place of the provision put in the bill by the
House, authorize Joint commission of civilians and ord
nance officers to make thorough examination into the
complaints and believe may say, that have the au
horty OF the officers OF that corps for saying that such
arrang emen would be satisfactory TO Them and they
desire it, They desire that their supernendence OF these
establishments shall be brought 10 the test, of mill.
ary officers belonging TO their corps the corps of en-
gnees Of any other corps, but commission Of intel.
ligent civilians, united with sufficient number of ord.
officers who would be able perhaps TO add 10 the
value OF any investigation and report which might be
made. For that reason, | wish the honorable senator
from Massachusetts would change his amendment so as
TO authorize The President Secretary OF War 10 ap.
point such commission, and that that should be adopted
in lieu of the provision OF the House | think that
would be more satisfactory to the country.
! Mr.. HUNTER | hope we shall have vote on the
amendment believe 1t has been sufficiently discussed
and am very anxious to conclude this appropriation
/ bill to-day.
| Mr. MASON One Of these armores /, established
IT has happened that in having intercourse with thai
portion OF the State, have been made personally ac-
quained with the fact that there is existing Harper.
Ferry where the armory is established a great deal o
dsahectlon, amounting almost 10 odious feeling on
the part OF the citizens, well the mechanics EN-
poyed there under the military rule it is called in the
act OF 1Sil. | agree with the honorable senator from
Massachusetts that there is great deal OF difficulty in
this subject am perfectly willing to admit so far as
my judgment - concerned that where The action OF
department OF government is odlous to a portion of
the community, that action should be changed, or so
modified to avoid that feeling il II can be done con
sisenty with the public interest ! see reason why
any part OF governmental establishment should be
retained in such form TO be odious to any portion
| of the citizens of the country.
II is very natural, and know the fact 10 be, that the
particular department OF the army, the ordnance corps