The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-11

4
BY authority OF law But his allegation is lha, al
generally bsksusd' that the law passed 10 eonse-
quenee OF ceraia letter written by the then head oil the
ordnance board and laid before the Senate The alb.
surdiy OF supposing that the Senates action was in
duced or controlled by letter from single Individual
even TO the extent OF sanctionng usurpaon - 10 too
glazing TO be asserted without the qualification Of " il is
generally believed" Who believes il Mr., Steele does
not inform u.s. and il will be difficult for him TO find
outside oil those seeking change 10 the supefi nsnd
ence OF the armories, any capable OF believing
such an absuTdiiy. Those anxious seekers are made
up almost, II not altogether, OF such striving
for place, like Mr. Steele, or for votes, for public
plumber know them, and speak OF that do know
The assertion made by Mr. Steelehat the muskets have
not been better made, and less cost under the super
ntendence by the officers of The army than under that by
clvians-is simply untrue, and there is evidence
before The select committee 10 prove It, This is ques
ton simply OF fact. and 10 be settled only by impartial
evidence Mr. Steele here cites instance the only
specification, by the way among all bis Jumping charges,
OF extravagance, under what he calls the military
perntendence, viz the erection of The commandments
quarters at Springfield amory He asserts that the
building cost $4,000 at least That is II did
not cost that sum"a least" or at most This but the
reiieation OF old charge which brought against
me BY persons reckless in their assertions Mr..
Steele has shown himself 10 be, and which regularly
and judicialy investigated by court Of inquiry aulhor
Clarke. and COL Cooper adu,ant general Of the army
That charge follows, viz:
18Th. Tha, he has made exIavagant, prodigal, and
wasletu expenditures OF the public money, particularly
which. when completed the plan adopted, with the
preparation and projected embellishments Of the ground
will cost the United States far greater than has been
expended on the mos costly private residence in this
ton oil the country also, IN constructing gravel walks,
at cost OF some thousands of dollars, which entirely
unnecessary Tor The purposes OF the amory and in any
event can be OF little also, in purchasing sundry
houses and tracts Of lands totally useless the govern
ment for any legitimate purposes OF the armoTy and
prices lar above their real and market value and out
authority Of any eristing taD The enumeration OF par
tlculars in this connection might be much extended"
The following was the report of the court which duly
investigated these charges OF the facts found and their
opinion in reference to this charge, viz:
| "FAcTs.-sth charge That the accused has CON-
menced and progressed in the erection OF house for the
use OF the superintendent, plan approved by the
proper authority, and expenditure of money appro.
paed oy Congress and caused gravel walks 70 be con-
land to be purchased and exchanged under d law of
| Congress-"
"OPsIoNsth charge As otbe facts under this charge
The court Observes by reference to correspondence
plan and appropriations by Congress relative TO this
house. the accused has in nothing rendered himself OBJ
noxlous TO the high sounding charge in this instance
hibted against him. The house not yet finished and
the embellishments OF the grounds represented how
ever projected OF which projection nothing has been al
tempted TO be shown are not yet begun nor il shown
will exceed like expenditures made in this region As the
accused for augh the court has been able discover
has not exceeded the plan the appropriated il
does not perceive anything in his conduct that could i'm
pute TO him extravaganza, prodga,y waste OF public
moneys Moreover, reference to the house, if is the
opinion OF the court that II is suitable for the posi-
ton OF the superintendent OF this armory-a durable
IN structure and MATERIAL and in this will prove
economical in the end TO its cost And further
il will remark that had equal care and judgment been
observed IN the erection OF the old superlnendenrs
house. The expense OF erecting this would have been
saved"
"As matter of convenience and Embellishments the
court does not perceive that there is any quality,
angemen or sli,ableness Of the gravel wass this
armory varying different from similar veniences
embellishments in cities, towns public places, or esab-
shments. They are such taste for useful embel-
lishment may be INDUCED in without imputa,ion OF
waste OF money or labor quite suitable and necessary
this instance constructed with little expense no,
al all objectionable or exiravagant, and rendered
ylceable and durable be well done by proper and
cheap materials, such as entered into the construction OF
them"
"ltis the opinion Of the court that purchases aud ex.
changes oil houses and land have been made by the &C
cused, under joint resolution OF Congress. moderate
and reasonable rates. not above their real and market
value"
Thai report Of General Wool aud his associates thus
made upon full examina on with all the evidence and
proceedings OF the court OF inquiry in reference this
charge and twelve Others besides certain additional
charges" submitted TO Mr.. Polk, President OF the
United States, who officially published that he had ex
aiueu TIC proceedings, ahd approved the innings ana
opinions OF The court, and that they approved and
confirmed
would refer those who really desire correct niorma.
ton 10 regard to the assertions tina, have
Gently been brought before the public in relation 10 the
superntendeuce oil the national armoes 10 the judicial
investigation Of them which has taken place. record OF
which, with all the evidence in The case be found
in Senate document No. 3a4, 29h Congress, Isl session
II will there be that almost every Of Inc cha gees
now so recklessly made against the officers the army
IN command OF the armoes, and based better proof
than naked assertion, has been duly and legally inves
gated and that OF them will stand the Of fair in
Qury
So far the officers OF the ordnance department are
personally interested in having the command of the
res, would materially conduce their ease and COM
fort, and would ia the least degree dainsh their pay
and allowances TO be relieved from those commands They
have bad 10 undergo little trouble and yexs,ion TO re-
form the many abuses that had grown up under the SUI
perniendence Of the armores by civilians and 10 protect
and defend the public interests against the cupdty OF
those deemng public plumber lair game and the inlu.
ences tina, such have brought 10 bear in political contro-
versies. The commands OF the armores are the mos,
undesirable posts they have and nothing sense
breast the storm Of clauoreus demagoguism which dis.
appointed place-seekets have sought 10 raise against
them. JAS. w RIPLEY
AsEcDoTr OF WAsHIsGros.-One Reuben Rouzy, OF
Virginia, owed the General one ibossand pounds While
President Of the United States OF bis agents brought