Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1876-03-18
Nil ADNIRARI.
Purchase of Government Property at
Harper'S Ferry.

The Committee on Military Afairs, 10 'chom
traS referred a resolution Of the House Of
Representatives. to inquire into the erpeaien-
en- of re esiaJliShjRg q national dJmory al
Hdyper'S Fa1y hare, according 10 order hdd
III same under consideration, and submit lie
.toi'oJring report
II vour committee instead of looking TO the eco
nomical interests OF the Government were 10 per-
nit themselves 20 be controlled by their private
scnsbitics, they would feel a strong inclination
10 favor the re establishment at HaTper's Ferry
OF the once hourishing national armory, that Tor
more than half a century existed there. 10 was
the site selected for that purpose by the Father OF
our Country, whose practical sagacity aud judg-
ment in the performance OF such a duty will be
/ questioned by no one. Its healthy and delightful
location, its vicinity TO the capital OF the nation,
| its maguidcentwatcr power, the intelligence, skill
| and inventive powers which distinguished its me-
chluics during the time il was In operation, with
the excellent quality &C the arms manufactured
| there will be acknowledged by all and present
ing as it does, in iull view from of our nation
al thOrOughiareS, q painful monument OF the raw
I ages and destruction of our late civil conflict
every feeling would prompt US to restore the place
% its original use by the Government If impera-
tive considerations OF economy did not now forbid
it.
| Had this application been made to congress i'm
mCdiatelv after the close of the civil war; the rea
U 81
tioual armory at that point would have been more
lavorably considered than they can be at this
time; for, subsequently, 60 the destruction OF our
public workshops at Harpcr's Ferry, and while
the possession OF that place was alternately held
bY the two beligcrent parties, the attention OF the
Government was directed to the selection of some
other less expos, spot where the manufacture OF
arms could be carried on. This led TO the estab-
/ lshment of a mandatory upon large scale at
Rock Island in the state Of Illinois; and, although
preliminary examinations for the selection of that
site wore made during the war; no effective APP
propriation for that work was made until year
or two SUBSEQUENT % the war. They have, how
ever. now been made. Extensive buildings have
been erected az Rock Island, and a national ar
morv established there as a substitute for the pub
lie work shops destroyed at HarpeiS Ferry.
Ia 1874 there were fourteen arseuals and ar
mories east Of the Mississippi River and the at
teutiun OF the Ordinance Department has been
earnestly directed % the concentration of its ope-
raons in some few that are most eligibly situated,
and % the discontiuuauce of the residue OF the
said arscnas. Then they were widely scattered
from Maine TO Georgia This policy Of location
was necessary 90 the time OF their establishment,
when but few. il any, railroad means of transit
existed 10 our country, and when twas important
from this cause that equipment OF troops should
be made al or near the localities where raised
But at the present day cur perfected railroad and
telegram systems OF communication have render
ed the cues tioG of distance one of but secondary
Importance: and the true interests of economy
demand a Gscontnuauce of many of these ar
seuals &C construction, and the concentration of
the work in few, of special aptitude for the pur
pose. We learn that acting upon this policy, and
from the unwillingness Of Congress even 20 pro-
vide the necessary means 10 keep the buildings in
repair, eight or nine of these arsenas Of con
structiOu having been discontinued, and are used
simply as depots for the care, preservation, re-
ceipt and issue of warlike St1res.
Ia addition o. this, II is not to be doubted that
an opinion in held By many in this country that
all these national armories might with great pro
prietv be dispensed with. and reliance hereafter
be placed upon supplies furnished from the extern
sive private manufactures OF the country. We
do not mean 10 be understood as concurring in
such policy, but il has certainly many advocates
throughout the country upon the grounds Of econ
omv and efficiency, aud il presents cOnsidera-
ton worthy of attention against mourning the ex
pense OF an additional armory or arsenal OF con-
strucion.
In reference 70 that portion Of the resolution
which directs this committee % inquire into the
cxpediency Of authorizing the Secretary Of War
10 repurchase the property at Rarper's Ferry
when sold under decree Of the court 10 satisfy the
United States for a debt due for the purchase-mo-
new. your committee deem it unnecessary 70 vest
ans such power in the Secretary OF War. as the
existing law gives such power % the Solicitor OF
the Treasury, should he deem il for the Interests
OF the Government 90 exercise that power in this
particular case.
Your committee, therefore, ask that they be dis
charged from the further consideration Of the said
resolution. and that this report be laid upon the
.lo,. and printed.