Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1854-02-15
THlRTY-THlRD CONGRESS-.


Monday, Feb 6. 1854.
Mr.. Faul ner, from the Committee on Mil
itary Affairs, reported bill to prohibit off
GERS of the army and the navy from having an
interest in contracts for supplies for the SER
vice to which such officers may belong
The first seotion provides that no officer of
the army or navy, or any person employed as
an agent by dsbursing officer shall be a
party or directly or Indirectly have an in
terest in any contract for articles or work
furnished to any branch to which such Off
Ger may belong; any officer offending against
the provisions OF this act, on conviction there
Of before court martial. to be dismissed.
The second section provides that no money
shall be paid for articles furnished or work
performed contrary to this act; contracts
made in violation Of it shall be void, and the
articles forfeited to the use of the United
States
Mr.. Faulkner briefly showed the necess-
ty for the passage of the bill, stating that in
one case Lieutenant Colonel Hooper made
large purchase of hay 10 California, on
which he realized profit of twelve dollars q
ton The question was brought before
| court martial; the facts we're distinctly es-
tablished by proof; and yet he was fully ac-
| quilted, on the ground that there was no law
which prohibited such conduct
He asked that the bill be put on it's pas
sage; but the House referred it to the Com
mittee of the Whole on the state of the Union.
Wednesday, Feb 8.
The House being engaged on the De6cien-
cy Bill, Mr. Houston offered an amendment
appropriating nearly six thousand dollars for
compensation and expenses of the Commits
sion OF civilians and military officers here
heretofore authorized to determine matters
connected with the national armolies
| Mr. Faulkner offered an amendment with
the view OF continuing the examination to
iiarpers Ferry armories. Two thirds of the
commission have reported in favor of resto-
ring the civil superintend.nce He had
testimony to show that military superintend
encc had depressed the spirits aud ruined the
interests OF the mechanics at Hsrper's Ferry
armories
Mr. Pratt thinks its all humjug MIR.
Pratt was perfectly satisfied the report was
not worth a rush. The examination was
humbug. and the course of the commission
unpopular. He did not believe the military
Superintendent at Springfield was tyrant.
Mr.. Stanton os Ky. remarked - The iu-
vestgation shows that injury is inflicted on
the mechanics by placing Government off.
GERS over them. Army Engineers are drawn
from their legitimate duties and placed over
the public buildings to the exclusion Of civil
aren'tects' OF whom we have the best in the
world
ar BisseR says us not the first time DR.
fraH mas acted aaaghty.-Mr Bissel said
TINS was not the first time that the gentle
man had assaulted the Administration for
what he considered reprehensible practice
OF employing Army Engineers 10 supcriptend
public works. Would the gentlemen have
inc Governments employ civilians, and turn
the Army Engineers loose?
| Mr.. StdRton doat mean 10 do ,pro,o -
Mr stanton said it was not bis uurpose To
attack the Administration. He had no cause
Tor so doing now, but be had attacked great
wrong and outrage 10 taking men from their
legitimate duties to put them where thew
ought not to lie
be deficiency Bill was under discussion
most Of the past week.
ne Senate was engaged on Douglas No
oraska Bill without coming to vote.
| .,-,--ut - - -
! INC ihere are more new buildings alrendv