The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-08-03

now WOULD mechanics private factory and
to the national armory, if there was tyranny there ?
Would they remain there and be content there
tyranny thereY The charge is stigma upon the eharae-
ter and manhood of the mechanics Have they received
less wages under the present system? Under the military
system they received per month >3s sos per man, and
under the evil system $50 80 per man Were the systems
of rules diherent2 The Secretary ofWar says:
There Is material difference between the rules and
regulations for the of the operatives employed
at the national armoes under the respective upentend
encies OF civilians and of ordnance officers
The material and marked difference in the management
of the arores under the two systems has beA in the
forcement OF the rules Under the system said
by my colleague the committee Mr. DICKINSON ,he
ployee worked when lie had mind to- although he got
wages all the tme and under the other he worked he
ought This was the difference drawn by one who clam
ored for the change
have shown sir the superiority Of the manage
ment of the armories by the Ordnance department. in the
manufacture OF greater quantity OF arms during the
length OF time of better quality and of superior model
less cost and of greater usefulness and uniformity in
the increased wages of the workman the greater per-
fiction OF The machinery and comfort and value of the
shops and dwellings and that the charge of oppression
is improved for the regulations were the under
both systems but under the military they enforced
and that workmen left private factories for places Of the
same grade at the armores and remained there content
while they could receive their wages and leave
ment
Now sir let US look to the evils which induced the Sec
retary of War Mr Be to make this change In his tes
timony before us he says
after due elaboration made the alteration with the
approval of the President because of the general consde
tions of the capacity of military man. of his ed
ucao knowledge of arms habits SYSTEM and freedom
from partisan influence for the position of superintendent
of an armory was also influenced by considerations Of
economy to have officers in time of peace engaged in
supcrnendency Of works of the national
armors The main consideration which induced the change
desire entertained by rescue national works Of
that character from the influences of party avoritism
also desired the disadvantages resulting
great license being allowed worken as the civil
superintendencies allowed absent themselves
from the shops their accord, without leave, which
prevented the regular work from being kept up and was
of by
working under the civil superinendences who f
vores with the superntendents that whilst they were de-
MED such license partisan avorte permitted be alb
sent engaged in political business These objections urged
against the civil superntendeney were all combatted On
by efforts of private manufacturers to destroy the national
amores and obtain the entire control of the manufacture Of
Ii alleged that the mechanics would become
tive under The rigorous rules which would appertan to the
superintendency Of military officer. recommended that
officer should be put there but moderaton the
employees were not soldiers, and should be put at
their head but of sound discretion who would not
ercise any tyfannca! control over them.
The entire wig party seemed to be against the change
Delegations Of wings from Springfield and Harpers Ferry
waited and urged upon the necessity of leaving
the system unchanged that the benefits victory might
to them, and that they might have the enjoyment Of the pat
OF the heard them with great patience and
sympathy: but after listening every thing we and weigh
ing the matter decided to make the change They renewed
their opposition to the change to the President which led to
conference between the President and SELF and after the
change made and left the department they endcavoed
to the civil system established but Mr. Spencer
declined doing it, and they continued their eff
forts without success
This change was,no made unadvsedly and r,shly The
expcdency Of the change had been tested by
ton into the condition and management of Springfield
mory, made By board Of three civilians in September
laAi aas beard consisted Of Professor Charles Dayc
distinguished mathematician and of science Of
John Chase one OF the most experienced and intelligent
manufacturers of New England and of Daniel Tyler gem
tean of much experience in the OF arms and OF good
Judgment as TO their quality from his former service III the
army, and from his observations the military schools
and arsena of Europe for the examination and obseryn
ton of which he had been previously selected and sent to
Elra t-f tho Nar hsr.u uYt,n
Among the facts elected by their examination the
following:
That have been absent from their shops several days
in month"; and vet have been able from fifty dollars to
sixty dollars and it the opinion of the inspectors that
at some branches from seventy dollars to one hundred dol
hours day. For examples One worked fourteen days
and turned in dollars worth of work Others
who were absent two weeks or certainly ten working dys
turned in work, respectively the of
dollars and forty dollars. 1t also appears that man.
who was absent an entire MONTH turned in work to the
cuted By another individual who himself received full wages
There appears to be to doubt that workman
OF the branches be absent onefourth of his time
and yet make full months work without aborng longer
than ten hours day that opinion prevails among the
workmon that their monthly earnings ought appear
too large the roll and to avoid such result work
transferred from to another kept back at the end of
the month and this has been done with the knowledge
the inspectors though in direct violation of the regulations
of the armor These facts show general ooseness in the
management OF the armory, which could not exist in
private, and ought not to be permitted in public esab
lishment."
board and annexed to their report shows such facts the
following, during the civil superntendency of the armory
and before the reformation introduced by the present super
intendent that the worked average, be-
tween six and seven hours day that they stood with
gard to skill mechanics, below mediocrity that far
better workmen could be obtained for the wages paid that
the tariff oprices was too high, and operated uneguay
that employed branches might be absent
week more and yet make full wages and there
understanding among them not to get too much the
roll for fear having the prices lowered that the prices
proposed by the workmen aud that the operatives
exercised influence in fixing prices and generally
the officers of the armory; that work done in month
the surplus work Of one sometimes turned to
make the deficiency of another and that the regulations
were not enforced
They also make the following suggestion
They deem it of primary Importance to have the armory
undc the direction of the Ordnance department Such
endent, whom the department exercise military
CONTROL and who will be responsible in the penalty of his
commission and his reputation officer for the faithful
oberya Of all the regulations established by the depart
1t will also place the establishment beyond the control
Of local and political influences, give peranence and uni.
ormty to all its operations and insure just and impartial
administration 1t of the first Importance that the
ntenden should be of science, well acquainted with
the best models of the mskct verscd in the construction and
operation machinery educated habits of punctuaity anu
order and control and direct the labor obers
These qualities the board suppose likely to be found
ordnance officer who has attained sufficient rank III his
corps tobe with such important duties than
the applicants from civil life. Should the depart
decide that existing laws require the appointment of
superintendent of the the board would suggest
whether the of the government would not be best
served by requiring him perform all bis duties under an
at the time of the establishment OF the armores there
be doubt that their entire direction
would have been eonided to ~ as they were transferred TO 1t
its creation This would have given their management to
military superintendent and obviacd the anomaly which
has existed military establishment under the direction of
military department. and subject to the superintendent