The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-26

ualors. ii authorized for Supplying The gov
eminent With an article would not supply that article IN
such TO make the most money out OF ii, as
any other cilzen OF the United States would admit
beyond my power 10 conceive.
The honorable senator is supplied by the department
with two samples OF flannel; and he says that the
tractors have flour which would bear Transport
auon TO the East Indies The proper officers OF the de-
partmen authorized 10 advertise Tor such brands
will bear ransportaon and the contractor, whether he
be manufacturer regular dealer in the article must
supply, under the contract The brand which the Secretary
requires II the contractor is not able TO furnish that
brand the government is not injured, because
the bid Tor The contract will mol be received
can readily see The evil complained of and II the
senator or his committee will go Tor entire abolition
VI this principle OF giving the contract to the lowest bid
der-f he will authorize The Secretary OF the Navy and
the Secretary OF War 10 buy the market such supplies
as will suit the government shall no, have the slight
est objection to II but the evils complained OF will not
be remeded BY this resolution. They will be the same
under y as they were befofe and you take away that
competition which ls allowed under the existing law.
Mr.. GWlN. have single remark 10 make in an.
swer to the senator from Maryland. he had noticed
he reading Of the resolution he would have that
there distinction between the article OF -four and
other supplies. The Secretary asks for power to pur
chase such brands Of flour known to be capable
OF transportation to the East Indies and TO California He
has no such power now under the present law he
not advertise for certain brands which known
be the only kinds which be transported 10 those dis
tant stations without injury He therefore asks that
this power may be given him. that he can purchase
such brands as are capable oil transportation.
Mr.. PRATT. There can be no objection to that
Mr. GWlN. That is all that the resolution provides
IN regard TO -four The main point to which there
should be discrimination in favor of dealers is in the
cle OF clothing, and few other articles Of provision be-
SIDES hoar will give an instance II was stated to me
a. the department this morning that ship chandler in
New York came forward, and not only contracted for
tcles in which be dealt but got contract for all the
clothing and shoes connected with the Navy Department
is perfectly evident that he supply such article
will pass Inspection but il will not be the best article
Of course for he has TO go the dealers in and purchase
II from them, and make his profit In this way il is that
inferior articles are pu upon the department. speak
here from the experience OF the head of the department.
and OF the head OF the Bureau OF Provisions and Clothing
wten say that il is ndlspensaby the public
interest that this resolution should pass II is experiment
which cannot but be Improvement, think and if it
does not succeed, have doubt that the head Of the
department and the head OF the bureau will subsequently
ask for modification am sure il is necessary, or
should not ask for it's passage.
Mr.. SHIELDS. objected yesterday to the passage of
the joint resolution without reference TO the appropriate
committee Since then, have taken occasion con-
verse with the Secretary OF the Navy upon the subject
and am clearly satisfied in my own mind, from the in
formation which received from him. that the public
vice requires come change OF this kind | am satisfied
that the contract sysem 1t is now conducted great
abuse In the public service, and that the sufferers from it
are the poor seamen, who sent abroad depending
inferior articles Tor their supplies The object OF this
resolution avoid and remedy that evil and trust it
will accomplish that object But am apprehensve, as
stated by the honorable senator from Maryland, that
shall have TO go much further than this resolution
proposes TO go for, Tar ny information goes the
contract system ell aToundln The navy, the army,
all the bureaus and even as respects the building of
sells, and so on-is all wrong. Ii putting great
public interests 10 the lowest bidders, and the who
speculate those interests are certainly njariDg the
public service am this morning 10 favor OF the
luton.
Mr. CLAYTON | think, Mr.. President that il is n
strong recommendation OF this fesoluon--ndeed, with
me, il is conclusive one-hat il has the appreciation
and sanction OF the gentleman who stands the head
OF The Bureau of Provisions and Clothing OF The Navy
Department He is man who has had The experience Of
long le-a man who rs universally acknowledged 10
be nexceptonsble Officer and to whom all will accord
the character OF honest man and after full consider
alton Of hs subject be has To the conclusion that
IL is necessary Tor the public service that this change
should be made 70 the contract system proposed by the
resolution now before Now, sif, even u bad doubt
ed he propriey Of the provisions OF the resolution,
should feel strongly bound 10 defer 10 authority of
high characters bat The observations which have been
made here by The chairman o! the Committee Naval
Affairs [Mf Gwlsl and By my friend from illinois,
OF themselves sufficient 10 satisfy that such change
as this IS required by The public service.
My friend IRON Mary land Mr. PRATT must sec, from
the latter part OF the re-duon that his remarks in rea
ton to -four not applicabe Tor the resolution posi-
lively provides that whenever il may be deemed
say or the interest OF the government and the health OF
the OF the United States vessels, 10 procure par
lcu ar brands ol -four which known keep best on
distant stations The Bureau of Provisions and Cloihng
with the appreciation OF the Secretary OF The Navy, is
authorized 10 procure the same on the best terms The
amount o The whole maeis, that the resolution leaves
The subject 10 the discretion and judgment Of the proper
officer, the Secretary OF the Navy and with him am
willing thatit should be left.
Mr.CASS Mr.. President do not much like The idea
OF making proposals 10 the public, and then couerrng
the acceptance OF those proposals TO particular classes OF
the community. II Is new thing, and do not like the
idea but yet there very powerful considerations in
favor OF the resolution, and they have been well stated
IL stkes me, however that the best suggestion The one
which has been made by the honorable senator from
Mayland-lhat Is, 10 change the resolution let
the Secretary Of the Navy, the officers acting under
him. 90 into open market and buy the articles which
necessary Why will not that obva,e all the difficulty
Let blm buy the articles which be wants without issu.
ing proposals. aud then confeIng those proposals par.
tieula classeslhus making this exceptional case
| il perhaps ought 10 be. would be willing 10 allow him
to 90 wherever he might think proper, and make such
purchases oI he government as may be necessary
Mr.. GWiN will state that this resolution has been
presented TO the Senate by The Committee Naval AT.
fairs in the exact form in which IL passed the House OF
Representatives AN informed by the head OF the bu-
that be required by law TO advertise for propose
very 5000, which makes this OF pressing neces
s,y. The Committee Naval Affairs, when consider
Ing the resolution this morning, houg that some amend
mens might properly be made to il, but they were sat
shed that II they proposed any, the whole object would be
lost As this ~ experiment TO be made the depart.
ment, hope the resolution viii pass now because is
of pressing necessity The suggestion of the honorab
senator IRON Michigan will certainly meet with the con.
sideralon OF the Committee Naval Affairs hereafter ia
a general ball
| Mr PETIT Mr.. President as the resolution now
stands shall feel under the necessity OF voting ag
IT, | perfectly willing that joint resolution or a
law should be passed. allowing the Secretary of the
Navy to make the special contracts which are provided
Tor in hia resolution; but am not wiling in anything
which the government wishes to purchase-from a can
non TO a cambrlc needle from potato 10 a barrel OF
an opportunity to bid for and to furnish it Whatever
NAV be the recommendation, wish, or opinion OF the