Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1859-03-23

REMARKS OF HON n. r. AVERY.
or Tsnnessce, o. Mduura Sapsrfnifadenu orr
Cul Wanks. ddiatraz ID the Hauae o. Repre-
scnfaiiuss, February p, 1889.
Mr. Avery. mora 70 amend b. adding 10
The item By the post Office extension the fol-
lowing proVizos
aesolred, That no part 81 she money herein
appropriated shall be expended under the dr
rectlon Of any oficer-of the armv.
ar. CaAIRaIAN- / offer this amendment in
geod faith, and sincerely hope it Viil pass. J
wish sir. too, 10 put upon record my protest
against what seems to be a growing policy Of
appointing army officers 70 superintend the
erection and construction Of the public buiii-
ings Of the country While I entertain as
high a regard for the army, and the officers Of
tie army, az any geutieman upon tins floor. I
must say that am opposed % their being ap-
pointed 10 these positions ever TIE practical
mechanic, the architect who has spent his
whole lds 10 tie study not only Of The theory.
but the practice Of his profession officers
educated al West Point are schooled In the arts
Of war, IN the construction Of fort fcations. 10
the erection Of forts bat what, I Task. do they
know or can they know about the eonstruc-
ton and erection Of ~court-housas, custom
houses, rost Offices, or any other building of
tlls character, without practical experience 2
mi policy. IN my Judgment, works a great
# AHNA ~ AA-A.r VI NV AIHaA MsElA.M=
zeal class Of this country. They are super
seeded. They are shut out from having any
part On these highly important ana responsible
positions They are thus cut % from an op-
portunity of distinguishing themselves 10 these
great NATIONAL fields Of their peculiar profession
oaTs there are mechanics, civil engineers and
architects ID my district. in nv city, Ear more
competent 20 MI these important Offices of pub
he tust-to superintend, direct and cogtrol the
erection Of public buildings, b. they great or
snali-than any army officer can possibly BE-.
Iaose gentlemen educated az West Point learn
only the theory Of a profession which the en-
hghtened architect OF civh engineer knows By
practice. As well might he planter, in en-
ploylnE an oVerseer 20 manage his plantation,
discard an applicants who were farmers by
profession, and employ only such as know
theory, and no praclce-a book farmer. What
would be though Of such a planter am FOR
opening this great theater for the development
% talent, skin and genius wide 90 thefrce COM
petition and advancement a he working. prac-
dcal mechanics all over this nation. SIR, they
are everywhere. in every city, and m TIER be-
half ! protest against their being superseded By
army officers.
There is anothsr idea connected with this
subject. The profession Of the army, the
study Of war and the arts Of war, naturally
a notion to order, 90 comm nd im-
perativelv, which 20 the undisciplincd civilian
smaks Of tyranny, which the honest. indus
-rious, intelligent mechanic, with his mbom
notions Of eqgalty and indePen-
ience, cannot brook.
I am f3r the army in IFS place. 7 am proud
% the American army, its officers and its
men. IT has shed immortal ulster on The
name. But give unto che army
.hin-s that are the aruy's, and unto The civil
he things that ara The civilians. ] did
bot intend, ME Chairman, to detlin the com-
az this late hour but a moment. hope
he amsndment viii be adopted