The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-22

/, The PRESIDING OFFICER decided that Mr. HAZE
was IN order unless other member wished TO dis
cuss the question who had not spoken twice.
I Mr., WESTCOTr would inform the senator from
New Hampshire that meant nothing personal in calling
!, Mr.. HALE. am exceedingly obliged to the senator
tor his exp anation but must say that this question
order has been raised but twice since have had the
raised by the senator from Florida upon the senator from
New Hampshire That satisfies me that there nothing
personal about the matter. [Great laughter]
want the Senate the facts of the case as
they appear upon the record of the Supreme Court This
man stated to the commander that he did not believe he
was under his command his term of enlistment had
expired For saying So and refusing to do his duty he
was logged After interval of two or three DAYS. and
after explanations and exhorations TO duty, and after
duty as he did not consider himself bound do So and the
same number OF strokes was repeated After another
val for like purposes and another REFUSAL the punish
ment was again inflicted, and at last the returned to
duty There was question OF right under the law,
raised byan American citizen who happened 10 be a
sailor, and the argument the commander gives him is the
cat tails, and he is given two three days to
fleet Then he is asked. DO you yield this question -
Do you yield the. question Of nght'' "Wil yon not
| obey me-your commander ~ He answers " No." Then
comes the CATO nine tails again. After another inter-
val Is given for reflection, he is brought up, and the
mander asks HIM, Do you now submit ]" "Do you
give up the rights OF an American czeni" He an
swers "No" Again goes the CATO nine tails. After
another trial he submits, preferrng submission to death
That is the record and is for that we are to pay Cap
tain Wilkes $1,000 have done; and hope have
not offended the sensbies Of the senator from Florida
will content myself with calling for the yeas and nays
The question being then taken by yeas and nays the
amendment was rejected, by yeas 10, nays 80, fol-
! lows:
YEAs-Messrs. Badger. Berrien, Builder, Clarke, Day
ton, tooe Greene Johnson OF Maryland Johnson of Lou
islana, Mangun Mason, Miller Peace, Wales, and Yuee
NAYs-Messrs Allen, Atchison Aherton, Benton, Brad
bury, Bright, Cameron, Corwin, Dickinson, Dix, Dodge
| johnson Georgia,
Phelps kuk, Sebastian SPruance, Stu rgeon, Turney I'm
derwood, Upham-3O.
J Mr.. PEARCE moved to amend the bill by inserting
new section authorizing the Secretary OF the Navy to
lease suitable accommodations in the building al the
corner OF and 7th streets, at annual rent not
ceeding $3.50 per room; or to purchase the whole build
ing. if could be procured for sum not exceeding
100000.
In support of the amendment Mr.. p said have been
induced TO offer this amendment which similar the
that was offered and rejected some days since be-
cause think the facts then well understood by
the Senate, and because think, when they well
dersood, the Senate will perceive that this
would be not only economical but conducive the pub
lie interests several respects There ninety rooms
in this building occupied by various branches of the
Department of War There are ii appears, one hundred
rooms in the building, but there only ninety
cupied by various public Offices. But do not pay
for all these ninety rooms; some OF them we occupy
ing gratis The necessity Of some such this
will easily be made apparent the Senate by few facts
which will briefly state. have report, made by the
Secretaries of War and of the Navy in 1916, urging the
erection Of public buildings feproof for the protection
'The ssy for this building extremely urgent The
Inconvenience TO WHICH the public business is now cx
are deposited In several private buildings, Which have re-
peaedy been on fire, Notwithstanding every precauon
where crowded with persons books, papers, models, and
instruments degree that seriously impedes the des
patch of business"
| They urged an appropriation of "two hundred thou
sand dollars commence the work." which, they said,
would be sufficient for that purpose Estimates were
submitted by various persons and the least estimate
one for 900 for erecting building containing
hundred and twenty eight small rooms, hundred
larger rooms-a building no more capacious
nient than this building, which be bought for two
hundred thousand dollars. Some estimates Tor large
building, containing two hundred and twelve rooms,
as high seven hundred thousand dollars. But
none Of these estimates were satisfactory They all
considered to be too loose and detective to the mate
rails and kind of Workmanship TINS building has been
erected and found to be very useful and we occupy
ninety rooms | have certificates from various public
oficels-from Colonel Albert Mr. Mills architect, Mr..
Toltman builder and MI IT,; Wa5d, another builder
built from the foundation to the garnet, and that it is con-
sructed from the very best materials The testimony OF
Messrs Cotman and Ward is, that such building this
could not be erected by the government for less than
quarter OF million. Then we have the testimony of DR.
Harris. Dr. lawson, Surgeon General OF the army, Mr.
Edwards, Commissioner OF Pensions, General McCalla,
Second Auditor of the Treasury and various other pub
lie officers, that the mode OF heating the building by hot
water pipes very successful furnishing pleasant neat
and that very easily controlled and regulated.
Now, sir, this makes out the case OF building which is
very suitable for the purposes Of the governments and
prOprley OF Whole OT Oh
amendment will be apparent when state the fact, that,
besides the which the government now occupy in
this building, they rent in other buildngs-rooms
which unsafe not re-proOf, and for which they pay
larger rent than is asked for the in this building
will not trouble the Senate with further remarks. II
be apparent that it will be advantageous 10 the gov
eminent if adopt either the or the other branch
of this proposition.
We have had no report upon this subject submitted
called for at early period Of the session. But
have the testimony of the Secretary OF War and OF the
Secretary OF the Navy in report made time SINCE
and their opinions have not changed Bat things have
happened since that make it than desirable
that should have suitable and safe building Since
that time of the public offices has been destroyed by
| fire, and the government has been put to great
pense-perhaps not less than twenty five thousand dol
larsto replace the papers destroyed by fire last winter
| The question being taken upon the amendment, it was
| rejected
Mr. CAMERON moved to amend the bill by inserting
| the following:
SEC Ind BE- it further enacted That the Secretary of
the Navy be- and he hcreby authorized con
tract, the part OF the government of the United States
10 construct plank road the sthm's OF Panama
their associates and assigns, for the transportation OF the
mails oil the United States, and OF all army and naval oroe
including soldiers marines, and sailors, belonging TO ie ar
my and ofthe United States said road tom the AZ
antc to the Pacific and for the Tree use oil sd foa o
the transportation it Of munitions oil war, army ahu
naval for which shall not exceed sevehy-ivr
thousand dollars Propided That no payment sha ne au
under such contract unl road shall be so lar COM
pleed afford conveyance across me isinhns w'
the space of twelve hours; And opsded dfso lnat Tue
contract shall be made the condition hat the salu
within ihree months from the date OF
the contract and be completed one year tnerealtei dnd
propidcd further That Congress may at any time aier the
said road shall have been completed and IN operation hve