The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-05-12
THE FRENCH ARMS FIZZLE.
Senator Stevenson's Grounds of Dissent from the
Report of the French Arms Muddle-The Sale
ofArms Clearly Violation Of the Statutes.

WASHINGTON, May ii, 1872.
Senator Stevenson has presented the grounds OF
his dissent from the report Of the majority of the
committee appointed to investigate the sale Of
arms and ordnance stores by the government dur
ing the fiscal year ending June 80, 1871, &c. He
says the testimony shows that in the sale OF arms
and ordnance stores during that period the statute
approved July co. 1868, was clearly violated. Ord
nance stores and arms have been sold without hav-
ing been offered at public sale on thirty days
notice. Ordnance stores were sold which were not
in the possession OF the United States ut the time
of the passage Of the act Of 1868, shown by the
manufacture OF large quantity OF cartridges sold
with the breech-loadng arms to Thomas Richard.
son. Arms were sold which could not he considered
damaged or otherwise unsuitable for the military
service the OF the militia. In support OF this
statement he especially
REFERS TO THE IKEECH-LoADING CARBINEs
and .muskets sold to Remington Sons and to
Thomas Richardson. The carbnes sold to Rcmng-
ton h Sons were Remington's and Spencer's, such
as are still in the hands of our troops in the field
The sale Of the Springfield breech-loaders to
Thomas Richardson, as well as OF the breech-load.
ing arms not damaged, was wholly unwarrantcd by
any construction that can fairly be put on the
statute Of 1863 and in direct violation Of its plain
intent and object 1t is proper 70 say the present
Secretary Of War accepted the construction OF this
statute adopted by General Scholeld as the true
one without having placed any construction upon
It himself 1t Is also true tha ate. oIeers Of high char
in the sale of these arms has been attended with
good results, and
LARGE PRICES HAVE BEEN OBTAINED
thereby This may or may not be true; but, II true
it cannot justify clear and palpabe infrac,ion OF
law. The minority report, in considering the ques-
ton whether arms have been sold In such quanti
ties to impair the defensive capacity OF the
try, says it will not discuss the question whether
war or a rebellion of considerable magnitude is
question
for the inquiry OF the committee; but II may be as
sumed that government should always be sufi-
GENTLY prepared for its defence in any event and
under any emergency and that any unnecessary
reduction OF its means, in view OF this end Is
unwise and impOtic. Prudence and wise policy
alike dictate that the large supply of breechoaders
deemed by General Dyer essentially necessary to
be kept In our arsenals should not have been
diminished, even though in an emergency muzzle-
leaders and carbines might supply their place. lest
the defensive capacity OF the country might be re-
duced and the government forced, in case of
sudden war or rebellion TO look to that extent to
foreign markets, or private manufacturers OF arms,
to supply the deficiency Mr.. stevenson next dis
cusses the question whether the
ORDER GIVEN BY THE SECRETARY OF WAR
to the Ordnance Bureau, that no arms or ordnance
stores should be sold to any agent of any of the
been violated. After reviewing the testimony at
length he says-The breach-loaders and ammu-
milton purchased In the name of Richardson passed.
as soon as delivered, into Remington's hands and
were shipped to France. The testimony bearing on
this transaction forces the conclusion that Richard
sons name was put in as a blind to avoid the APP
pearance Of direct sale from the Ordnance Bureau
to Remington. General Dyer could easily have as
certained the real destination OF the arms The cir
cumstances surrounding
THE EXCHANGE OF CALLING GUNS
with General Franklin, the President OF the Colts
Arms Manufacturing Company, at Hartford, Conn.,,
are equally singular. Mr.. Stevenson, therefore,
finds himself constrained to the conclusion
that had there been no personal contract or
understanding between Remington and his
agents and any OF the officers of the Ord
made 10 of fha
proceedings which took place, especially as it was
q matter OF general n0toriety that arms
were bought and shipped in large quantities
have sufccd TO satisfy the Ordnance once that the
Remngtons, after having been excluded as the
known agents or q belllgerent party from govern
ment sales would resort to the usual devices to de-
feat the object Of the order OF the Secretary of war
that no arms should be sold to them.
MT. stevenson holds that the order OF the Secre-
tary OF War forbtdding sales to either beligerent
virtually declared that the United States could not
as neutral agent sell arms to either belligerent
and argues that the Secretarys views do not there
fore, accord with those now insisted upon in the
majority report.
THE SECRETARY OF WAR, ny THIS ORDER.
says Mr.. Stevenson, acted wisely and we'll But It
Is much to be regretted that this order was not
strictly obcyed. The officers who, by negligence or
than ordinary censurc. Mr.. Stevenson continues - \
The testimony fails to disclose any corruption or
improper conduct on the part OF any officer other
employees OF the government In the sale Of arms
and munitions OF war; II errors were committed
II Is gratifying to know that they were occasoncd
by no sordId or selfish purpose. Upon the question
whether any Senator or other American citizen has
been In communication for Illicit purposes with the
government or authorities OF any foreign Power or
Its agents touching the subject matter Of this in
yestigation, there Is not the slightest testimony
tending 10 impugn or reflect In the least degree
upon the honor or patriotism OF any American cti-