Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-06-22

the beautiful ladies who pairOnze them, live to
repeat the scenes of yesterday.
Col. Sturm and the Indiana Arsenal.
To the Editor Of the Indiana State sentineE
The following paragraphs appeared in your
paper of this date
There was report in the city yesterday,
that Colonel Sturm, late commandant of the
Arsenal here, had been arrested at Washington
for malfeasance in office Colonel Sturm's ac-
counts, as We have understood for some tiufe.
have been complicated. but we have never sup
posed that anything criminal could be urged
against him unless in connection and with the
/ connvance Of higher officials. HIS friends deny
the arrest and we give the statement simply as
circulated Oh the street !"
I'VE have in another paragraph spoken of
the reported arrest of Col. Sturm. OF the arsenal
/ in this city Late last evening il was reported
that Captain Milsch. connected with Colonel
Sturm, had also been placed in limoO. Our
readers will understand that we give plainly and
without reserve what is stated to u, not vouch-
ing for any fact except that affairs at the arsenal
have been very mysteriously conducted since the
war began"
Knowing that the statements contained in
these paragraphs, so far as the same refer to
Colonel Stutm, are false in every particular.
ask yon, "a matter of simple justice. to pub
lish the following facts:
Col Sturm has never been arrested upon a
charge of ''malfeasance in Office" or upon any
other charge in connection with he Indiana Ar
senal, at Washington City or elsewhere. nor has
he been in Washington during the last three
months His accounts as Superintendent of the
Arsenal. have never been complicated" in the
least On the contrary, they have been thor
oughy examined from The beginning by the Mil
itary Auditing Committee, appointed by the Leg
I stature, and in all things approved ana confirmed.
The assertion that the "aif IRIS ut the Arsenal
have been very mysteriousy conducted since the
war began" is without any foundation in fact.
His report of operations during the years 1861
and 1862 was submitted TO the Legislature at the
session of 1863. and two thousand copies of the
same were printed aud generally circulated.
The Governors message alec contained full
history of the general affairs of the Arsenal du-
ring the period named On the 29th of January,
1863 the Honse of Representatives raised
iect committee, consisting OF ioUr DemocSa's and
three Republicans, TO investigate the condition OF
the Arsenal and on the Oh of March following.
the following unanimous report wsS submitted by
Mr.. Harvey, (Democra) Chairman;
REPORT or THE COMMITTEE UPON rnE STATE AR
sENAL.
"The select committee, appointed for the pur
| pose of making examinations of the State Arse
nal and reporting any facts they might deem ne
cessary connected herewith, have performed
that duty. and submit the following report:
The Committee visited the Arsenal. which is
situated one and a halt miles east of this city.
The buildings mostly OF a temporary charac
ter. efficient. however, for the purpose, and
built out of the profits OF the institution, 80 that
it pays no rent. at the time of the visit there
were employed in one room about ninety females.
} aud in another about forty. all employed in ma
king ball cartridges and preparing caps In an
other building the moulding bullets,
preparing shell, round shot, &c.
The committee were much gratfed with the
system ana economy. and also the neatness and
dispatch with which the business was conducted.
In reference to the operations OF the Arsenal
} since its commencement. the committee would
refer to Capt Sturm's report. which contains
full account of It's past transactions, and its pre-
sent condition.
The committee take pleasure in compliment
ing Capt. Suurm upon the very satisfactory con
dition of his accounts. the readiness with which
he has furnished us with any desired information
and the zeal aud energy he has shown in the
terprise, which are the chief qualities eonstisut-
ing good officer
IL was the design OF the committee 10 recon
mend the Arsenal to be continued under the pat
ronage OF the State. and bill was prepared Tor
II impossible TO take any further steps.
Since oar visit the Arsenal has been compelled!
TO suspend operations for a time. at least greatly
10 the injury OF many poor persons that depend
on its patronage means OF support. (See
House Journal, p I43
The suspension alluded To by the committee
was only temporary, and operations were shortly
! thereafter resumed
About the first of August last the Military
Auditing Committee, composed OF three Demo
Gratis and two Republicans appointed one of their
number the Hon 5 II Buskirk to superinteud
the Arsenal, on their behalf, in connection with
Col Slurm. he served in that capacity until
the Arsenal was finally closed, and was allowed
by the committee $500 per month for bis serv-
ices On the 18th of September, 1863. the com
mttee at the Governors request, made a com
uete and thorough examination OF the transac
tons of the Arsenal from the time of its estab
lishment, and submitted report OF the same.
which concludes as follows:
I'VE cannot close this report without bearing
testimony 10 the ability. integrity and economy
; with which Col. Sturm has managed the affairs
of the Arsenal His position has been most
difficult and responsible one. requiring constant
aud unremitting labor. and great skill and perse
ysrance Fortunately Tor the State, he has
shown himself equal to every duty that has Ge-
VOWED upon him. and congratulate you upon
the great success which has attended his and your
efforts. as well on account OF the pecuniary al
vantage which has resulted 70 the State from the
operations of the arsenal. for the great service
il has been 70 the government
+, Col. Sturm's connection with the Arsenal
9 ceased on the 18th day OF April last, At which
3 time the concern. by the Governors order, with
the concurrence of the Secretary OF War, was
! finally wound 70 The settlement sheet shows
that a ne; profit in favor of the State of so,
is9 80 was realized The final report OF the
l Auditing Committee 70 the Go, ernor, after fully
setting forth all the business transacted up TO the
! time Of closing the Arsenal. concludes az fol-
lows:
{ "The committee take pleasure IN saving that
nothing has occurred since our report your
Excelency. the 18th September, 1868, 70
I weaken toe confidence that We then felt and ex
I pressed in the ability. integrity and economy dis
5 PLAYED by Col Il S,urm IN The management OF
! the Indiana Arsenal
' Ia addition II will be proper 70 state that a
: Joint committee OF the Legislature. consisting OF
j. four Democrats aud three Republicans. also IA.
yestirated the affairs OF the Arsenal: and afie,
A session Of about sixty days. during which time
. the committee visited this city. Cincinnati and