The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-03-21

ure and especially when we take into consideration the
passengers from New York to New Orleans and thence
to Vera Cruz hope it will not be postponed 1t has
been fully investigated by the committees OF both houses
OF Congress, and is well understood
Mr. BRIGHT. The honorable senator from Louisi- |
ana who has just taken his seat is correct in saying that
the bill has been examined by committee, but he is not
correct to the conclusion to which they came II was
very thoroughly examined by the Committee Naval
Affairs, and reported against
Mr.. RUSK. think the senator from Indiana is mis-
taken
Mr.. BRIGHT | am not mistaken. will state all the
facts memorial presented here and referred TO the
Committee on Naval Affairs. The object of the memo
rialss TO line OF mail steamers from New Or
leans to Vera Cruz, Tor which they were to be paid
$4,000 per annum. After mature deliberations the
committee reported against the proposition They did not
report III haste Inquiries were made at the Post Office
Department by members OF the committee, and among
others by myself with reference the necessity of ex-
pending that sum for that service; and it was admitted
by all, tina, so far the question of dollars and cents
was concerned, 1t would be much money thrown
away This question is identically the same in sub
stance. The language may be changed the manner of
service may be changed little by limiting it entirely
to the transportation OF passengers but that apprehend
makes but very little difference. The amendment pro-
vides for carrying passengers to such and such points,
and for such and such prices That, think, is going
little too far; it is narrowing legislation down TO too
small circle If we have no use for these vessels put
them up auction and sell them, chain them to the
shore, and let them rot Ii would be much better 10 make
that disposition OF Them far pecunary benefit OF
the public service concerned, than that such system
should be opened between these two points this
| amendment proposes.
After the committee had reported against the hun
dred and fifty thousand dollar proposition, 10 which
have referred, the gentleman who had made it for
ward and offered to perform the service for $4,000, if
the committee would agree to report bill providing for
the establishment OF the line OF steamers The commit
tee could not report such BILL in view OF the nforma
ton derived from the Post Office Department that the
cepts would not amount to more than five thousand dol
| lars per annum.
AS said before, regard this proposition another
effort to get into the treasury by the back door Pass
this amendment and in few years it will result in
other line of mail steamers, costing the government
much we are now paying Tor carrying the mail be-
tween New Orleans and Liverpool will conclude with
saying that cannot vote for this proposition. The
mttee have examined the subject and reported against it,
Mr.. DAVIS Of Mississippi. The senator, sir, is mis-
taken. The Military Committee have examined this
subject and reported Joint resolution in favor OF the
Mr.. BRIGHT. | am quite certain that the committee
reported against it,.
Mr. DAVIS What committed
Mr.. DAVIS. The Naval Committee had nothing to
Mr. BRIGHT The Naval Committee had the subject
before them, and reported adversely.
Mr.. RUSK. | will detaln the Senate but moment.
would say TO the senator from Indiana Mr. BRIGHTl
that he entirely mistakes the proposition The PROPOSE
ton reported against by the Committee Naval Affairs
was to make contract with company. This PROPOSE
steamers; first, for the purpose OF afoIdng the ne
cessary transportation for the troops, seml-monthly
the second place, TO carry the mails because they might
just well do IL not; and, in the place,
port passengers That is the entire sum and substance
of this proposition The permission to carry passengers
confeTs privilege at all upon the department The
amendment requires them to transport passengers for the
convenience OF those who wish TO visit these terri
tories. or who wish to return thence and this arrange
ment is demanded by the exigcncies OF the times The
convenience OF the public requires it, and it should be
granted
AS for the economy of the honorable gentleman from
Indiana, cannot say that agree with him. We have
these vessels which have cost the something
ike $4,000 and The senator proposes to tie them up
We shall these vessels Ds e'I the %s
and then force the quartemasters department to pay
more than would be paid under this arrangement for
sending their transports from New Orleans to Vera Cruz
Now, in regard to the competition enter into with
private enterprise, by carrying these passengers. We
enter into competition with nobody on earth but the
British mail steamers. And is il proper and right that
should depend, for all our communication with Vera
Cruz, upon the British mail stea,ners' We depend
upon them for carrying mails TO Vera Cruz The
very dispatches we send to our minister in Mexico
conveyed by the British mail steamers, unless we go to
the enormous expense OF spending special messenger.
Mr. BADGER. Mr.. President, desire merely to say
that concur with the view OF the subject taken by the
honorable senator from Virginia, [Mr HUNTER My
objection to this proposition Is, that seeks to embark
the government in the business OF the transportation OF
passengers In line OF vessels Tor hire or compensation.
So far as it Is to employ these vessels when
they shall be turned over to the Navy Department for
the transportation OF our troops, munitions OF war, or
anything else connected with the operations OF govern
ment, no legislation requredha s, OF course, within
the proper authority of the Navy Department and when
the necessities of the government require the per-
Torrance of any of these dutes they will be discharged
by the department
But agree with the senator from Virginia. that if there
is anything that should be left to private enterprise and
competition, 1t is the transportation OF passengers from
one point to another for hire.
independent of every objection that has been urged
against the amendment, by whatever department recon-
mended this consideration is conclusive against the
ure The government must do OF two things. They
must either transport passengers for hreturn into the
business OF supporting line of packets and open books
Tor keeping accounts of the money recevedOr else they
must transport passengers gratis In either case they
must establish line of government packets-an no
way dlstngushable, so far | see, from one for
establishing line OF government postcoaches to enter
INTO competition with the appropriate operations OF pr
waite persons, and TO set the government against the
laudable enterprise of private individuals.
Mr. DAVIS OF mississippi, Cnterposing) II the hon
orabe senator will allow me am sure he would not
urge as an objection to the amendment anything which
1t does not contain. He is certainly arguing against
something that never contemplated. The amendment
offered restricted officers command of public vessels
irst from refusing to take American citizens board
their vessels and secondly, from charging them passage
money, combining the charge the expenses incurred BY
taking the citizens board just as during the with
Mexico, every officer travelling hither paid, when on
board public transport much per day for his board
AS the case stands, (if we do not incorporate this
provson the captain of public transport vessel tells
the citizen that he shall not go board, and he must
permit from the quartemaster navy agent before
the captain will receive him board AS to this
much about it is altogether out of the question for all
experience shows that whenever passengers get any
other mode OF conveyance, they will never go board
of transport vessel.
Mr. BADGER. Mr. President, | did not make The
mistake which the honorable senator supposes. The