The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-05-25

TO Paducah or TO Kentucky, and he had the klndest
feelings for the honorable member who proposed
the amendment, Mr. BorDl but snll he felt himself
bound 10 oppose all appropriations for hospitals
until full examination had been made Of eligible |
sites in Illinois, He contended that Caledonia, IN
Illinois, a better site for hospital than Padu-
cab; but all he asked for Illinois was fair examl-
nation Of the many eligible and favorable sites IN
that State; and If il was not clearly shown that
there was better one there than Paducah, he would
cease all opposition. and 60 for Paducah. AT the
last session Of the 26th Congress he had introduced
resolutions-w were referred TO the Committees
on Commerce and Naval Afars-inquirng into the
expedency Of examination Of certain sites IN Hi
nois with reference 10 erecting marine hospitals
Whilst he did not charge any improper influences
as operating upon these committees, so II was, he
could get no favorable action from them in relation
to the examination. Illinois, when the former ex.
animation had been made, was sparsely populated
and had only three members in this hall; and hence,
in all these matters the older and more fully repre-
scented States had engrossed everything. He con-
sidered those hospitals for the benefit OF the lehOs
Wsstj and before the money Of the people was ex
pended, full and thorough examination should be
made This was due TO his Constituents and TO the
whole State. he argued that an examination would
show many better sites for hospitals than Paducah
within his district; and until all the facts could be
fully shown, he would be compelled 10 vote against
the amendment.
Mr.. JEFFERSON DAVIS moved an amend
ment to insert the word "Naichez so as TO provide
also for hospital at Natchez.
This spot had been examined il had been report.
ed on by those who were commissioned 10 do II;
the lot had been purchased; and the only reason
Why il was not included IN this bill was, that nothing
had been appropriated towards making the hospital.
He pointed out tho advantages Of this location, and
protested against discrimination being made against
when It was far better adopted TO the accommoda-
ZION Of sick and disabled seamen than other points
hey were providing for. He willing to strike
these appropriations all out; but while they were
retained he wished equal justice done to all.
Mr.. TH0MASSoN briefly urged the merits Of
the hospital at Louisville, and the obligation Of
Congress resulting from Its previous legislation to
make appropriation for IT, He favored, also, the
scheme OF hospital at Paducah, subscribing fully to
all his colleague Mr. Bowl had said with refer
snce to It's Importance, and giving his views with
reference to others which had been proposed.
In the course Of his remarks he yielded for expla-
nation or inquiry to Mr.. BOYD and Mr.. ]. DA-
Wis.
Mr.. JACOB THOMPSON advocated the amend
ment Of Mr.. DAVIS, and warmly urged the impor-
lance Of the location Of NatcheI. II there was any
place in the West which should not be neglect
ed, IL was this; II there was any one which should
meet with favor il should be one below the large
tributary streams of the Mississippi. He asked il
not for the benefit OF his constituents except to pre-
vent them from contributing out Of their pock-
cts for the support Of those disabled seaP.en who
already contributed for this purpose would be in
credible in this House But II was for the benefit
Of the boatmen Of the upper portion OF the whole
West that hospital was demanded at this point.
Considerable conversation ensued between Messrs.
THOMPSON, THoMASSoN, BOYD, J. DA-
Wis, and DARRAGH with reference principally
to the question whether the government had Sc
cured a title for the location of this hospital al
Natchtz.
Mr.. J. II. EWING inquired OF Mr.. THOMPSON
il it unconstitutional TO appropriate money for
clearing out and improving rivers, how il could be
constitutional to appropriate for building hospitals
upon them
Mr.. THOMPSON (continuing) remarked that
he inferred from the question that the gentleman
from Pennsylvania would give his vote for this hos
ptal at Natchez for he believed the gentleman new.
er had constitutional scruple-least of all on the
question Of clearing out rivers But to state frankly
his views he thought this taking Of these boat
men up and down the river properly belonged to the
internal police of each town. IL was, however, a
matter that Congress, by its past action, had taken
the guardianship Of; and while he was xious that
they should keep within proper bounds, yet, if APP
preparations were to be made, land he conceived
there doubt about that,) he insisted that
they should be SO made as TO do the most good for
those for whom they were intended.
Mr.. ORDER said word in advocacy of The
claims Of Paducah to the proposed appropriation.
Mr.. MCKAY said if Paducah was inserted il
would involve the necessity of addition Of S25 900
to the amount Of this appropriation. He explained
that the Committee of Ways and Means had in
serted the appropriation for the three hospitals
named in the BILL in accordance with the decision
of Congress at the las. session. thai hospitals should
there be built but objected to the building ola second
hospital in Kentucky at present. II this system
| were to 60 on of building hospitals at ey,y port,
they would soon have some two three hundred to
provide for-that being the number Of ports in the
United States.
Mr.. TlBBATTS thought the conclusion of Mr..
MCKAY incorrect, and denied that the appropriation
aked for was for the peculiar benefit either of Pa
ducah, Louisville, the State Of Kentucky but Of
the citizens of Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and all the
western States who were interested in the naviga-
| ton of the Mississippi. ,.
Mr. JOSEPH J. MCDOWELL agreed, in some
| measure, with Mr.. McKAT, and considered it i'm
practicable and unnecessary to build hospitals at
every point on the Ohio. He adverted to the inn
portance Of Cincinnati, the largest city Of the West
the Of one, and said il deserved an appropri-
alton more than any other point, except, perhaps,
New Orleans. Cincinnati had now a marine hos
pital, which was put up by her own exertions, and
her own money. 1t did not afford, however, sufi-
cient accommodations; and ten or twelve thousand
dollars, appropriated to enlarge it, would be most
usefuly expended, and would render unnecessary
more than one in Kentucky. If they went on in this
manner, the banks of the Ohio and the Mississippi
would be studded with these hospitals; whereas
the better policy was to make them sufficiently
The question taken on the amendment of
Mr.. DAVIS; and it wal rejected.
The question recurring on the amendment Of Mr.
BoYp, was taken, and no quorum voted
The committee rose, and reported that fact
A motion was made that the House adjourn
which motion, by yeas SO, nays 70, was rejected
"A quorum present.
THE SCHOONER FLoRILLA.
Mr.. WOODWORTH moved a reconsideration
Of the vote by which the House had heretofore re-
jec,ed the bill for the relief of the and crew of
| the schooner "Florilla."
| Entered on the journal.
Mr.. JOSEPH J. DOWELL, in pursuance Of
previous notice, asked leave to introduce a BILL
| and leave having been refused made an ineffectu-
| al motion to suspend the rules for that purpose.
EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the fol-
lowing executive communications:
A letter from the Secretary Of War, transmitting
| a report in compliance with the resolution Of the
House Of Representatives of the 18th instant, Of
II