The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-03-13
Friday, March -, 1874.
Radical vote Manufactory.


PORTSMOUTH, n. H., March Sit IS
really remarkable what apathy and indif-
ference the people hereabouts display IN
regard to the disgraceful management OF
the affairs of the Government service.
Everybody here knows that about l,ooo
men are employed on the yard simply 70
secure their votes for the Republican ticket
next Tuesday. In this way about $780,,
GOO. probably much greater sum, is this
wear taken from the public Treasury and
paid out Cor votes for the Republican tick
et. Any man who can have access to the
books Of the yard and hear the testimony
of regular naval officers who do not tear
the politicians can easily show that s ,0O0,-
600 is annually wasted at this naval station
merely to reward gang of political hang
ers.on of the Grant party. 1t one should
undertake to give in detail the fragrant
abuses that are constantly coming to light
here n halfdozen columns of the Post
might be filed. Hundreds of men are
now on the yard whose only real duty is to
answer the roll-c and draw their pay
Those who manage the concern find it diff
fcult to even preserve order and decorum
among the crowds of men that fill the
shops during the winter weather. All
sorts of tricks and lodges are contrived to
keep the men apparently busy. Gangs of
men idle away the time undoing this week
what was done last week by another gang.
Piles of lumber are moved to one part of
the yard this week by one gang and the
next week another gang will move it back,
In some of the shops the voters stand so
thickly crowded that it is next to impossi.
BILE for them TO accomplish even the trifling
tasks that are required of them. Scores of
instances are related where menhave been
assigned to the carpenters gang who never
saw set of joiners' tools, of men in the
blacksmths shops whose only knowledge
OF the business was gained when
they drove oxen to be shod at
some corner blacksmith's shop in the
country aud to-day there are hundreds OF
men standing round in the way in different
departments Who could not earn one-teDth
part of the SUN they are paid each day,
even if there was plenty OF work to be done
simply because they are utterly untitled
for the duties to which they are nominally
assigned. Honest and honorable naval of,
ticers who attempt to correct these abuses
are invariably removed to other posts OF
placed on waiting orders. The present
Commandant at the Navy yard has at sun
dry times times shown disposition tC
make this station something more than 9
vote mandatory, and orders have within
few days been issued from Washington
commanding him to pack up and be off
The politicians have got rid of him, anC
hope to secure the appointment of some
officer who will be a more willing tool
The lesson that all naval officers mus
learn is that if they would live in peace
while they are enjoying their three year;
Of shore duty, they must not interfere
with the robberies and jobbings of the po
litical managers, but must aid and abet
them at all times. As au illustration oil
the helplessness of those naval officers who
are nominally in command of the different
departments, it is stated that a few days
since one of them became so disguised and
annoyed at having such an army Of useless
voting material in the shops under hi.
charge that he summary ordered the dis
charge OF $50 of them. Then there was a
row. The Postmaster and other politi
ticians stormed the telegraph Office. and
thick and fast went the messages to Wash
ington. In few hours 1t was announced
that it was AL right, and the naval off
Ger had peremptory orders to take bach
the men. Henceforth he is a marked man
and his friends know that he will spenC
the coming summer in the hottest place
where naval officer can be ordered Blu
in spite of the immense amount of public
money being expended to secure the in
dOrsement of the Government at the
election next Tuesday, it is plain to every
observer that the ofiice-holders' party il
losing strength among the masses of thu
people who are beyond the corrupting in
tluence of their money and patronage.