The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-16

and above had extensive experience for many years
IN the direction and Of labor in the economy
Of purchases In The quality and strength Of materials IN
watching contractors and, IN fact in thorough kno"l-
edge and elaboration Of all the details Of eonstrue-
ton These the very qualifications which are required
for the supervision Of such works the Capitol extern
SION
man piay be good artist-hAye fine taste-and, in
addition BE- good mechancand STILL without the sci
enthc attachments and the actual experience requisite TO
such charge be entirely incompetent superintend the
construction of such building.
As further proof that the education received al West
Point qualities the graduates Of that Institution to take
charge OF works Of civil nature have referred TO the
history OF those graduates who have left the military
vice after entering the army
Up the year 1850 there had been 4le GRADUATES of
this number 52l had resigned otherwise left the milf
tary service Thesemen scattered and wide through
out the land in every walk Of life aud engaged ia every
ayocation of private citizen Some have been cergymen
authors physicians lawyers some editors
merchants, manufacturers some planters and
farmers presidents Of colleges professors but
notwithstanding all these aud many Others il appears that
there have been 80 eil engineers 20 CHEZ engineers Of
railroads and canals presidents 81 railroad canal con-
panies," and 3 chief engineers Of Saes"
These facts show how highly the services Of these men
have been appreciated throughout The country and how
well the education received at West Point had qualified
them TO superntend and direct works Of construction
Nor has this appreciation of the services OF these men
been confined to this country We might refer TO many
instances abroad but il will be sufficient to mention one
within the recollection Of most Of our readerswe refer
the fact that the Emperor Of Russia when he determined
construct railroad from ST Petersburgh 10 Moscow
sent for Major George w. Whistler graduate of our
Military Academy, and who had served for more than
fourteen years in our army TO supernend ts
ton
AT his death, well satisfied the Emperor with The
manner in which Major Whistler had discharged his duties
that another graduate of the Military Academy
for-we refer 10 Thompson 8 Brown, who acquired hi
first experience constructing engineer works
fertilization having served lieutenant of engineers fo
continued hold the responsible position Of his predece
sor with salary which puts shame that Of our officers
of engineers.
These facts TO TO show that the military educa
ton of West Point cinenuy qualities its graduates taxi
the charge Of civil works of construction instead Of dis
qualifying them, MS would have us believe.
Our railroad and canal companies, our large manuiae
turing establishments many Of our cities, th
States of the Union and foreign governments hav
sought the services Of who have served in
Our government has in its service fully com
peten do any duty those who have left il. Shall tn
government be debarred the privilege of ayang itself
the services Of these men We cannot but think that
with such Of concurrent testimony to capaci
and integrity of the officers who have been well thos
who in army, Congress will be slow to TAX
from the President the privilege of employing the latte
wherever their services will be valuable to the country
II has been said that the colonel OF engineers has causes
the officers Of his corps be detailed for those duties of
civil nature which they now performing That abb
officer needs a-''s' =. - hands but il NAV be prope
to state that have ascertaned upon inquiry that be
well the present Secretary of War; has always demured
to the detail ofocers Of engineers for the performance
duties Of civil when those duties have not beer
prescribed by a-the services Of all the officers of eng
being required for the duties of that department
We further learn-and it is significant fact bearing
with much weight on this subiect-that those officers
who have been detailed for such duties were not applicants
for the positions which they hold In fact 50 ial
learn BY inquiry at the proper departments
there not Of the seventy officers mentioned as being
improperly employed who sought the control Of the civil
works with which they have been inirusted.
But very few Of them receive any addition to their pay
for the arduous duties which they are now performing
and under such circumstances Il Is not To he doubted
that they would willingly resign them other agents
the government II The change could be effected without
impnta,ions upon their character
We think therefore il il be Tie true policy Of the gov
eminent TO have corps Of eira gers to supervise Ii,
ia T.. Il.
the change should be effected without reflections on IN,
character Of officers their integrity their capacity, and
the honor Of the seryioe to which they belong.