The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1858-06-11

MESSRS. EDITORS - notice in the Wash
ngon O"o" OF the ID instant article headed
L0ddlhg arms, part of which is copied from the luI-
tetiR, and the baan consists in what purpors TO be
Report of Major W H. Bell, of the Washington Arsenal
concerning the application of MorSe'S Breech Loading
principle to the 'Muzzle Loading of the United
states The first contains account. stated in favor of
MofSes plan, showing saving of S5,500000 The cost
of alteration is stated at S. although every practical gun
maker knows that it be done that low price IN
which should be charged the alteration if the work is
done by the Government There another expense to the
Government that is inevitabeshoud Morse plan"
DE adopted the arms when altered cannot be without
the Patented Cartridge of Mr. Morse who no 1onbt
NC row cost OF ms aiteration anticipates hand
some sum IN the sale OF his Cartridge which seems ac
corng to the Sth section of Major Report to be of
so eIpo are character as only to be prepared by the sol
dier whenever he has them and not to be Kent ready
for use for fear of accident.
From the Report it would that the time and move
ehtS necessary for the making of the Cartridge about
the same as would he required to load the lusket, in
the way The fact of the soldier having his Arms to
take the same time that he is to he ENGAGED in
the toaoing of Cartridges will show its impracticaby
Every soldier should go into action with ammunition
y3TePared and not be hdpered with the materials
for making Cartridges
In the 9th section of the Report, it is claimed for this
Arm that all the labor in magazines &c, devoted to
making Cartridges, is saved and that the trains for trans
nortation of ammunition will be greatly reduced &c
This is only accomplished by loading soldier with the
Cartridge eases and ammunition.
In the 10th section of the Report the c7fe nroof 7I
tteS OF this Cartridge said TO be superior but this is
more than counterbaanccd by the danger of handling
PINNED Cartridge when loaded besides the Cartridge box
OF the Service being lined M tn is found to protect any
Cartridge from the weather
From the article above alluded to it appears that the
secretary OF VAR prefers the Morse rI,t' all
others know not if this be but one fact am sat
iSe from considerable experience in matter that no
metallic cased Cartridge will be found reliable in service
and one explosive the riGed Cartridge of Morse will
be found extremely dangerous both in magazine and in
the hands of the soldier That the Hon 'Secreary of
War should prefer "Breech Loading Arms" to the old
ones is probable, but that he should give AIorses PLAN
the preference others knO,cn be far superior have
my doubts. Should Congress fit to grant the appro-
priaon asked for by the Secretary, hope that he VIII
put IN Serrtce several of the best plans proposed for
the alteration of the old Arms that they may tested
thoroughly before any general change the old Arm is
decided
That the Breech Loading Arm the best is generally
alteration be effected at any thing near the figures of
the stated account Of Moses PLAN the Government would
save vast amount and the army be supplied with what
lhey are much In want of at this tme-the best