97
WRITINGS OF SAM HOUSTON, 1854
the money that is appropriated by Congress for the construction of public works, I believe, is to be placed under a military officer, and he is detailed for the express purpose of disbursing the public money and supervising the public works. In appropriations to the Army for the defence of the country, with all the accomplish- ments that can pertain to military gentlemen, I am for according to the object for which they are appointed, and to which they have been detailed; but I am for having another sphere unoccupied by them, and permitting civilians whenever they can be successful in executing the desires of the Government, or meet- ing its expectations, to fill the sphere proper to themselves. I am not for permitting civilians to, usurp the rights of officers of the Army, or interfere with them in the discharge of duties which should not be assigned to military men. For this reason, and this alone, I shall vote against the amendment. I do not know the gentleman who is in charge of either armory; nor do I know those whom the President would place there; and being ignorant of this, I view the subject as it is presented to me, and vote according to my apprehension of the propriety of assigning to civilians that branch of our military defence which properly pertains to mechanics, and not to the range of science assigned to the purely military arm of the service. 1 Congressional Globe, Part III, 1st Sess., 33d Cong., 1853-1854, pp. 2183, 2184. These 1·emarks were made during the debate on the Army Appropria- tion Bill. REMARKS ON THE NAVAL APPROPRIATION BILL, AUGUST 3, 1854 1 Mr. President, I know the importance of time at this period of the session, and I regret that I shall have to limit myself to four or five minutes; but, sir, I understand that the honorable Senator from Tennessee has read from a speech of mine on this subject, 2 and a few remarks explanatory of that may be necessary for me. I was out at the moment and did not hear it; but I understand that he has read it. When that speech was made, it was a distinct understanding between my colleague and myself that I should vote for the Texas navy bill, because there were meritorious officers not only implied, but directly interested in the result of it. He was to speak on the occasion; but he was very much indis- posed when the day arrived, and was too unwell to attend the Senate. In consequence of his absence, I delivered the speech in support of the bill. If the Senator will refer to that speech, he will perceive that I spoke of those of the Texas navy who were
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