Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1857-1865, 1859-03-11
New York on the subject of your letter Of
the 9th ultimo. ISAAC ToUcEY.
allen DANiEI T. SIcSLEs. NV York


the 9th ultimo ISAAC ToUCEY.
ellen DASIEL T. sIoSLEs. New York /"
"NAvY DEPARTMENT, July 80, 1858.
"SIR The Hon Mr.. Sicklrs has com.
planned TO the Department that an unequal
and unjust course is pursued toward his
district by Mr.. Frnganza, tie master
joiner, who, though he has about 1870 men
under him, has not employ ed single
person from his district although Mr.
Sckles has made only one recommenda-
ton.
"Thc Department desires that fair
and liberal course be pursued toward Mr..
SickIes district, and wishes you 10 in.
quire into aud report upon this matter.
IL am, respectfully. YOUR obed Z servant.
ISAAC TOUCEY,.
.N' ,coT. W l. Kt'Sr c'mm'"d'H' Nav.S-a'
"NAvY YARD, New York, Aug. 8, 1858.
"SlR On the reciIt Of the Depart
meut's letter of the Both ult., Mr. Frauanka,
the master joiner of this yard. was called
on for an explanation in regard TO the
complaint made by the Hon. Mr.. Sickles
Mr FraEanZa letter, in answer to the
subject, is herewith respectfully submit
ted
The Department letter of the same
date with reference to the selection of
their foiemcn by the master workmen. was
also received, and on the recommendation
OF Mr.. Kennedy, the master stone cutter.
l sanctioned the hiring of a foreman,
named 10y him. aud the discharge OF the
pcrsun who had previously held that posi-.
tion.
believing that have carried out the
intention of the Departments order, l
would like to be informed If the course
pursued in this instance meets its ap-
pruval.
IL have the honor to be, sir, very re-
spectlully your most obedient servant,
"L. KEARNY, COmmandant
The Hon. ISAAC TOucEY, Sec OF Navy"
This is certainly very extraordinary
business on which to detail an officer of
the highest rank known in the United
States.
The natural result followed: many Of
those employed were of an inferior class
of men. With rare exceptions, good
workmen would not humble themselves 10
seek from politician a job Of work when
they can get it elsewhere. A master
workman testified that the poorest work
men were pressed upon him with the most
pertinacity. Romeo Fraganza one Of the
master workmen, writes the department
under date of August 5, 1858, "In eight
Congressional Districts, who claim the
patronage Of the yard, in nine cases out
ot ten, the men who are most strenuously
recommended, are very indifferent hands,
many OF whom cannot obtain employment
from private employers" Men from the
iaburers gang, who knew nothing about
painting. were ranked as frstclass ainters
IFitzgerald) others az biackmiths, &c. :
aud 20 on in the different departments
Laborers were employed to act us clerks
and to work as carpenters.
These abuses Increased in the yard as
the election Il members of Congress APP
preached Members, master work men, all
were interested in packing the yard. If
the master workmrn was reluctant 20 in
crease his force, he was urged to do so by
the meuIbcrs of Congress, aud was COM
pelied to yield to the demand In this
way the master blacksmith increased his
force tWcuty FIVE men. He testified that
the same general increase, for the same
reason occurred throu2 heut the yard in
all the different departments and that Of
the force of about 9.400 men thus EN-
ploycd, one fourth were useless that it
was understood that particular master
workmcn were to administer this patron
Ige for the benefit Of particular mem ber,.
In most cases This pressure was yielded to
with alacrily, and temporary pressure Of
work in September 1853, to fit out the
Niagara Tor Africa and which lasted for
four days only, was made the pretext for
retaining men alter they we're no longer
needed.
INSTRUMENTATION increased in one case
the master laboier aud "A number Of men
answered roIl-cal and went to the primary
election in Mr.. Sickles's district and yet
drew full pay. A short time before the
election the men got to leaving off twenty
to thirty minutes before bell.ring in tho
evening, and would collect near the gate
ready to 20 out Of tie yard.
Commodore ROOTS attempted to stop
this as soon as be got near them between
the ship houses, some of them, in large
gangs, sang out his name, and hooted and
hissed him. TIE only reason given by
Commodore Roots WIS that the men
thought that the members Of Congress
put them there and could keep them thero
IN defiance of the officers Of the yard.
The following item is from tho Eagle
g A. l.