The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 3, Volume 2. Page: 195
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UNION AUTHORITIES.
upon all contractors. In many cases this is wholly undeserved, and
to none will the advantage be greater than to the bona fide con-
tractors themselves of a change of system which, once in regular
operation, will relieve them from imputations of dishonesty or extor-
tion. In no class of persons are the qualities which distinguish the
best business men of our country--talent, integrity, enterprise,
resource, perseverance-more needed than in them. But if whole-
sale slurs -affecting their character, because of their relations to the
Government, finally render the very name of a contractor a reproach,
what can be the result, except that the honest and reputable will
stand back, and that their places will be filled by men careless of
their good name, if only money can be made by the sacrifice ?
We beg, therefore, respectfully, to urge the expediency of adhering,
in all future contracts for ordnance and ordnance stores, to the prin-
ciple of advertising, so earnestly impressed by the law and the regu-
lations of your Department. This law and these regulations embody
the wisdom which long years of experience have taught, and they
rest upon a profound knowledge of human character-of the unscrupu-
lous avarice that is to be baffled on the one side, and of the infirmity
which is to be guarded against temptation on the other. The abso-
lute necessity of the course suggested is more powerfully illustrated
by the facts which we have brought to your notice than it would be
by any arguments we could employ. This course on your part
would furnish a prompt and complete remedy-and it is the only
one-for the evils of extravagance and alleged demoralization, of
which so much and such lamentable complaint is ]eard.
That vast interests and influences will array themselves against a
restoration of this branch of the service to the basis of the law, may
well be expected. Opposition to this great principle, which has so
faithfully guarded the public treasury, has been signally manifested
in past years, and the success of that opposition opened then a wide
field for rapacity on the one hand and fraudulent collusion on the
other. The abuse in a particular branch of the service assumed
such proportions that Congress, feeling itself called upon to interfere,
declared, by solemn enactment on the 31st of August, 1852, that "all
contracts, of every description, which have been made without public
notice having been given, shall be canceled." While in dealing
with illegal and irregular contracts we have sought to act in harmony
with the spirit of this legislation, we have done so with a tenderness
of regard for the interest of bona fide contractors which, it is believed,
will protect our action from all imputations of harshness or injustice
hereafter.
We cannot close this report without bearing testimony to the con-
stant aid and support we have derived from Major Hagner, who has
been associated with us as an advisory member of the commission.
His labors have been arduous and incessant, and his thorough knowl-
edge, as an accomplished ordnance officer, of the subject-matter of all
the contracts submitted for our examination, has enabled him to
render us invaluable assistance, alike in our investigations and in the
preparation of our decisions.
We are, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servants,
J. HOLT,
ROBERT DALE OWEN,
Commissioners.195
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The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Additions and Corrections to Series 3, Volume 2. (Pamphlet)
Errata sheets for the Records of the War of the Rebellion include additions and corrections to the text and the index for Series 3, Volume 2.
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United States. War Department. The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union And Confederate Armies. Series 3, Volume 2., book, 1899; Washington D.C.. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth139264/m1/204/?rotate=90: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries Government Documents Department.