The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-07-17

could have been presented in manner 10 be acted
on, without delay and embarrassment to the pop
ular branch of Congress, It would have succeeded
| in that branch, by very decided majority. The
published proceedings of that body sufficiently show
this.
Clay said, though he had not obtained all that
was desired, he should vote most cordially ana
heartily for the amendment. Wilhoutt, or at least
in the shape the bill sent from the Senate, II
left all to Executive discretion; butt as 1t then was
it gave sembance Of legal control over the
subject.
| The yeas and navs having been taken, there APP
peared, for concurring 80, against it 17-as follows
YEAs-Messrs Buyard, Clay, of Ken, Clayton,
Criltenden, Cuthbert, Davis, Fulton Grundy, Hno-
Sewer, Smith, of Ind, Southland, Swift, ramadge,
Upton, Webster White, Wrght'-29 o r.
NAYs-Messrs Allen, Benton, Brown, Clay, OF
Ala, King, Linn, Lumpkin, Lyon, Niles, Norvel,
Pierce Smith, Of Connecticut, Strange, Trotter,
Thursday, July 5M.
In the Senate the steamboat explosion bill, which
| had passed the House with various amendments,
| and among others imposing fine OF five thous-
and dollars upon the owners of the boat for every
case of loss life by explosion, came up on the ques-
ton of concurring in those amendments
Grundy (who reported the bill) advised con-
currence therein. In his opinion the bill was ma
| terialy improved thereby.
CLAYTON objected TO the last amendment which
makes the of vessels responsible Tor the ac-
| no control.
Webster, with a view of removing this objection,
submitted substitute, declaring an explosion to be
prima acia evidence of neg ect, sufficient to sus-
tain action for damages, If not disproved
lie said that the great and numerous disasters on
board steamboats, were not owing to any necessary
danger attending the of steam. In order to be
satisfied of this it only necessary to look at the
stea engine used for other purposes, III mills,
railroads, and manufactures How did 1t happen
that in all those cases, the use of steam was so
much more innocent than on board steamboats,. Im-
agine such explosion to take place In the manu-
| factories OF England-what would be the conse-
quence? Thousands of lives would be sacrificed at
a single explosion. The causes of steamboat dis
asters, continued Mr. Webster, are TO be found in
the OF the vehicles, which lead to mad com
petition and criminal negligence A prevIouss law
therefore ought TO be applied TO these proximate
causes which TO be found either IN the insuf'
cheney of the boat isef-the deficiency of the boil
ers to metal, which are great deal thinner IMAM
10 England-n the criminal desire of competition
- in the criminal negligence which now often
occurs.
What is the remedy for such negligence
The owners of the steamboats, are individually
responsible, in a civil point of view, for every loss
by such disasters. 1t would fall on them 10y the
principles of the common law; and Mr. Webster
Said that if he had been present when the bill was
at the proper stage, he would have proposed to
modify it accordingly. 1t was the English rule,
and Mr. w. thought 1t the true one, that whenever
by steamboat explosion, persons or property are
injured, the losers injured persons were entitled
to recover of the owners and the fact OF an exPios
! ION was taken prim0 facin evidence OF careless
ness If Congress did not come to this, they would
| have done nothing.
! After some consideration, the bill was amended
according to the above suggestion of Webster, and
sent to the House for concurrence.
CONCLUSION THE SESSION.
| The House of Representatives met on Monday,
at nine o clock and contrary to expectation, owing
TO the energetic proceedings OF Sunday morning.
quorum was present.
The Senate met at the same hour.
| In the House considerable discussion took place
as to the proceedings to be had against those alb
sentees of Sunday morning who had not been ex-
cused.
| Upon this subject two orders bad been adopted
| on Sunday morning. one, on motion OF Beatty,
which required the StTtcen members who ran away
in the Baltimore cars, setting the Speaker warrant
AT Defiance answer for their conduct at the COM
mencement of the next session; and second, ON
motion of Wise, requiring all the other absentees
who had not been excused, to render their excuses
at the time.
After considerable discussion, the resolution oil
Wise was reconsidered and rejected.
An attempt was then made reconsider the res
oluton of Beatty but it failed, and the Stlteen run
aaoays still held to answer for their conduct at
the commencement of the next session.
J. @. Adams introduced a resolution tor resclnd-
ing all resolutions Of censure, and orders for pay
ment of fees for absence at the call of the House
on the morning of Sunday.
At IL o'clock on Saturday night, Mr. Adams had
retired from the Hail, after having been in attend
ance fourteen hours. When the call of the House
was ordered on Sunday, by unanimous consent, his
name was struck from the list of those whom the
officers were directed to take into custody. His
age considered sufficient cause for exemption.
This morning, however, he waived that privilege,
and with much warmth insisted that the House had
no right to compel the attendance Of members on
the Sabbath, more especially when it was consider.
ed that the early part of the session had been rited
away in doing nothing. :,
| The resolution of Mr. Adams rejected, Yeas
A. Nays 80.
AT subsequent period of the sitting, MIR Adams
introduced resolution for renting the payments
of fees which had been imposed upon certain mem
bers brought in by the Sergeant Arms, as the
condition of their being excused This resolution
prevailed.
The House then went into committee of the
WHOLE and took up the joint resolution of the SEN
ate, authorsing the Committee the Library, at
an expense not exceeding $5OOO to cause to be
printed the Madison papers purchased by Congress,
containing report of the debates of the Conven-
ton which formed the Constitution of the United
States On Mr. Adams suggestion the joint resolu-