The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-06-26
TwENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

TWENTY-FIFTH CONGRESS-.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
EVENING SESSION
/. FRIDAy, June %.
| The House met al the usual hour after recess.
suB-TREAsURY BILL.
| Mr.. HUNTER, Of Virginia, resumed The floor,
and continued and concluded his speech in support
| OF the bill.
He was followed by Mr. KENNEDY, of Mary
land who took the other side, and spoke till near
O'clock when he gave way for motion TO rise, and
the committee rose.
STEAMBOATS, AND BOILERS, &c.
\ On motion of Mr. CUSHMAN, the House took
up the Senates bill providing for experiments test
the strength CT steamboat boilers and yeecded from
It's disagreement to certain amendments proposed
thereto by the Senate 1.-THE bill, therefore, now
only wants the Presidents signature to become
law
On motion OF Mr. THOMAS, the House next
took up the bill for greater security board of
sells propelled by steam.
Several amendments proposed by the Senate were
/ concurred in one of them proposed TO strike out
the clause requiring fire engine and suction hose
| to be kept in every boat over 200 tons burden
| Mr. FILLMORE opposed this; stated the necessi-
~ OF such fre engines especially on the lakes and al
| sea, and moved an amendment TO accomplish that OBJ
/ ject The amendment was agreed TO.
/ Mr. PETRlKIN opposed the whole section.
Mr. FILLMORE defended it, and referred to the
testimony OF captains on Lake Erie respecting the
value and necessity Of such securities against fire.
/ Mr. E. WHITTLESEY earnestly advocated the
provision, dwell the horrors Of confagration at
sea, and the number Of lives continually exposed on
/ the Northern lakes. He suggested to Mr.. F. the
modification Of his amendment by requiring iron
instead OF rope for moving the tiller.
! MI. PETRIkIN urged his objection to the sec
ton he preferred leaving the captains to their re-
ssponsbily; prosecute them in case Of accident, and
let them guard against it as they pleased.
| MIR. GRENNELL insisted on the importance of
having iron rods chains subs ituted for er-ropes
referring to the loss OF the Ben Sherrod from having
had her ller-ropes burnt, so that she could not be
run on shore. de moved an amendment to that ef-
| feet.
This was agreed 10; and the question being on
striking out the entire section,
| Mr.. THOMAS objected TO all details being in
serted in the bill. These securities were some of
them very costly and the smaller boats could not af
ford the expense. The boats should oe classified !:
without this, the provision would operate partially.
| He opposed the section this ground. But the
| House refused TO strike out the section modified.
! Mr.. CHILDS moved an amendment providing
that in case Of the destruction Of life the owners
! shall pay fine of ss50 600
Mr.. BRONSON moved as substitute for this a
provision OF fine and Imprisonment for racing, and
If death ensue in the case, the owner master shall
/ be considered as gully of manslaughter. He ex-
planned and earnestly urged the importance and ne
cessity of such provision, as going to the root of
| the evil.
Mr.. HOFFMAN thought explosions seldom arose
from racing, but most frequently after stoppages,
when the steam was not let off. In races the engi-
4 neer was always on the alert and examining the
steam; but in most fatal the destruction arose
! from neglect. He opposed the amendment, it
gpsld Asyer be proved before jury that race had
POPE deprecaied the ssr I IN aal 5r pur
/ despaired OF ever efecually preventing il. He
should however vote for the amendment, as il might
| possibly do good. He had but little hope from the
Ia at far. 10 ,r 81
engineers own lives would not make them cautious,
| no legislation was likely 10 effect it.
! Mr.. BRONSON further supported his amend
ment insisting that racing against time was as much
i racing as when another boat alongside, and it
was these trials of speed which induced the captains
| to hold on to their seam &c. 1...'.
Mr.. HOFFMAN replied denying that any in
stance could be found where boot was destroyed
in race. As TO racing against time, the amend
ment made no provision against it, Time crawled
with some, troed with others; it would be hard to
punish SO severely racing against thing uncer-
| tain.
The amendment was rejected.
MI. CHAPMAN proposed an amendment provid-
ing fine Of IS 600 in Of loss of life from an
explosion within fifteen minutes from leaving a
| wharf
This amendment was rejected, and the amendment
moved by Mr. Childs was agreed TO.
Mr.. AYCRIGG moved an amendment requiring
certificate from the engineer Of his competency,
after an examination by board appointed for that
purpose. under penalty of -- dollars
/ Mr.. EVANS moved a substitute providing for
the appointment of board of examiners the certif-
cate to be by them given, and imposing fine on the
owner of $50 month for employing an engineer
without such certificate
Some explanations took place between Messrs.
| AYCRlGG and EVANS.
Mr.. BIDDLE deprecated too much legislation,
and objected to the amendment as imperfect; ii pro-
vided pay for the board of examiners. He feared
it would opcraei upon some oppressively and be-
come odious.
4 Mr.. PETRIKEN moved the Previous Question,
but withdrew il for
Mr.. CAMPBELL, of South Carolina, on promise
OF renewal. He thought it might be better to limit
the speed of boats to so many miles an hour, but
pressed the constitutional objection which had been
urged when the bill was in committee. The certain
interposition of the federal courts was not suf-
cient argument in favor of law in itself unconsti-
| tutional. The General Government could have no
Jurisdiction over steamboats, moving within State
The same doctrine would give the Government ju-
risdiction over every wagon every road in every
State ofthe Union, and the Government was already
consolidation. He was anxious TO vote for the
Legislation to guard the lives of our citizens from the
OF our steamboats,. He renewed the motion for the
| Previous Question.
| Mr.. ROBERTSON and Mr.. TOUCEY urged
that the demand for the Previous Question should
be Withdrawn.
! The Previous Question was not seconded Ayes
So, noes ST.
| No quorum having voted an adjournment was
4 auni % cd Ayae