The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-05-04
PROPOSED DIsCoNTINUANCE OF
THE ARSENAL.

II seems that I'm the absence Of the
President from Washington the secretary
OF war or some other person In authority
has issued an order abolishing the United
States arsenal in this city. The order is
not yet necessarily a hnality, because not
a foot OF government ground nor any gov
eminent building can be disposed Of with
out an act OF Congress. The execution of
the order should be prevented. if possible.
and the Journal hopes that the senators
and representatives from this State will
make every effort to that end. 1t can be
justified by practical as well as by senti-
mental and historic The gov
eminent arsenal at this city differs from
any other i'm having been a direct out
growth of the civil war and in having con-
tributed largely to the success of the gov
eminent in that great conflict. The posi-
ton OF Indiana in the war and the prestige
Of Indiana's war Governor were due In
no inconsiderable degree TO the establish
ment OF a home arsenal for the manufac-
ture of ammunition. The national govern
ment was very glad TO avail itself of its
services at the time. 1t could scarcely sup
ply with ammunition the troops raised in
States east of Indiana. which. being near
est the arsenals of that period. were sup
piled first. In that situation Indiana's war
Governor established a state arsenal. and
1t was one of his great acts. 1t turned
out an immense amount of ammunition.
In October, 1861, Gen. Simon Cameron, then
secretary of war. and General Thomas,
adjutant general of the army, visited the
arsenal. and, after careful Investigation,
recommended it's continuance There were
times when IL employed as many as 500
persons I'm the manufacture of fixed am
munition. In March. 1863. a congressional
committee reported that the arsenal had
turned over to the government about 10o,-
COO rounds of artillery ammunition and
nearly 10000 COO rounds of ammunition for
small arms. The ami Endorsed the
management of the arsenal in every re-
spect. As a result of this report and
through the efforts of Governor Morton
Congress on June II. 1862. passed an act
establishing a~rsenals at Columbus, Indian
apolis and Rock Island ''for the deposit and
repair of arms and other munitions of
war" These facts show that there are
strong sentimental and historic reasons
for continuing the arsenal at this point.
But there are business reasons also. IL
Congress was justified In establishing a
national arsenal here in 1862 1t is not justi-
fed in disseminating ii now. Some arsenals
must be maintained I'm the interior of the
country. and there is no better point than
this city, which is in the heart of the
continent. near the very center of popula-
ton, midway between the Atlantic and Pa
cihc coasts and accessible by railroads
from every direction. In the event of a
foreign war, which will Come some time,
there is no more eligible site for a national
arsenal. 1t costs very little to maintain
the present plant, and it could easily be
enlarged. From a pecuniary point of view
il has been a good investment for the gov
rnment. For the seventy-five acres of
land which it embraces the government
paid in 1863 the sum of SIS. 800. The build
ings are in addition. but the property is
now worth many times its original cost.
But the government is not Obliged TO sell.
Even IL il were there is no economy in
closing an establishment which had its
origin in loyalty and which has paid for
itself several times over. 1t does not hurt
the national government to own a bit of
land in Indiana. and it will not gain any
prestige by hauling down the flag. 1t costs
but a trihe TO keep an officer and a squad
of soldiers here, and the expense of the
morning and evening gun is insignificant.
The government may not need any more
arsenals at present. but an arsenal once
established should never be abolished. and
least of all the one at this city. The In
diana delegation in Congress, senators and
representatives. should make a united pro-
test against the discontinuance of the