The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-03
CON CIR Z ESSION Al.
SPEECH OF HON L. M. KEITT,

OF SOUTH CAROLINA
On the superintendent of armores delivered in the House
of Representatives, July H. 1854.
The House being in the Committee Of the Whole on the
state of the Union
Mr. KEITT said
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: In the organization of government
bold these two fundamental propositions first that
individual has right to employment from government
and secondly that oil special legislation for the benefit of
class at the expense OF the community mischieyous and
against the spirit of our institutions The right employ
ment and support from government displayed itself in the
French revolution OF l84S when sturdy actonss cen
ousy spent their energies in the erection of liberty poles
and class legislation has demorazed every free
which has been subjected to its banetul influences,
The argument which has been used to enforce the change
in the present law in relation to the management of the
armories is volave of the spirit OF the constitution and
the framework of social poy, because it builds up
castes in society," and classes in government 1t be
questioned that persons much better qualified than
Others for certain pursuits and the discharge of certain
duties and it is equally unquesonable that government
to whose custody and management certain works have been
committed, should select the most lfu and qualified per-
manage them and should make their administration
profitable and economical possible In pursuance
these views il is necessary that discretion should be ntr
ed to government in the selection of its agents would
exclude no one; would recognise classes would adj
judge every TO his position according TO his merits and
qualifications
The armories the property of all the people of the
United States they supported by taxes paid by all
into the federal treasury and designed for the
ton Of be used by soldiers in battles abroad
defence home The committee will perceive that per-
and circumstance throughout the length and breadth of the
contederacy interested in the profitable and economical
management of the armores because they supported
out of their earnings and each community is interested
in the skilfu manufacture OF at them because SOL
dier draughted from its bosom peril their lives upon
their fitness
As it has been conceded that all the people of the United
States interested in the best and productive
agemen of the armores now proceed to examine the
suits under the two systems Of superintendencies the
civil and military shall compare the results at the
es for the length OF time under the systems of
management fit should appear that greater quantity
OF arms, of better quality at less cost and of greater
and uniformity made under system than
der the other there be doubt that that system is the
most economical and profitable Now, sir shall submit
the results of the two systems founded upon data furnished
by the War Department. and of course accredited and in
dispuable.
The Secretary OF War [Colone Davis furnished to the
special committee in answer to their nterrogaores the
following results and facts founded upon data properly
authenticated in his department
Fifth question As the kind of arms made during the
periods, and their relative quay and their prices
while the armorcs under civil and military superin
tendencies
Aasmer. The kinds of made during the periods
as follows viz: