The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-26
THE UNION.

waters inadequately provided for. have them
turned loose occasionally. when sick, upon shore. and
where they had the benefit OF these hospitals they
compelled resort to private chaly or die. That
state OF things ought not TO exist We have in this bill
appropriation Tor the Deficiencies Those deficiencies
thousand doa 50 70 sna6s the secretary u the
Treasury TO make some provision for these that
wsS BE- not provided BE for
would not be drawn. II there not cases calling for
assistance. tbs money would not be expended Il is
fetal operation providing for the wants and relief OF
The sickness and distress OF most merorous class oil
men.
first drew up the amendment in this way, for the re-
lief and protection OF mariners and boamen belonging to
licensed and enrolled vessels upon the western waters
know that is right, but did not offer II in that way
struck out and will explain the reasons why struck
out belonging licensed and enrolled vessels upon the
western waers;" but put in mariners and boatmen
This an addition Of thousand dollars to the fund.-
and wanted 10 leave it discretionary with the Secretary
OF the Treasury whether the boatmen-hose that navi-
gate what called in ancient times broad water"
going upon the broad waters Of the Mississippi down to
New Orleans upon fiat boats, and occasionally returning
upon those vessels that enrolled and censedor they
all come up upon the Observation-Disclosures, when
they become sick they should be put out in seasons of
cholera exposed TO other OF disease whether
they might moi be provided for in those marine hospitals
which the government erecting and providing for on
the western waters The amendment therefore, provides
the discretion OF the Secretary OF the Treasury, for
a snd Y 1
words belonging to licensed and enrolled vessels, and
hope the Senate may adopt the amendmeat as have
wishes test the question, let him to insert
before the words have adopted the following: mari
and boamen belonging TO licensed and enrolled yes
sells but hope, il that motion is made, that il will be
Mr.. DAVIS, Of Massachusetts,. do not propose to
make the motion; but wish to say word BY way q
from these hosptals and the that 60 on those
long whaling voyages have been excluded from the pri
obliged 10 take care OF themselves because they did not
contribute to this fund.- until the whalemen came for
ward here and asked it as privilege II recolec
order that they might have the benefit Of the hospital
upon their asking that they might have it Now. sir we
had this question up here. when this very hospital law
extended 10 the western waters believe my friend
from Kentucky Mr. UNDERwooDl was not in the Senate
at that time; but gentlemen upon the western waters
hs ground Of rs TRsy
care Of themselves Wen. Sir. think You throw dis
inducement to them to shun paying the tax they can
be provided for otherwise The great policy is to make
them willing pay it, by giving them alone who do pay
They are very poor class Of persons. having very
little funds and thisis pretty heavy tax upon their
wages and you ought to keep the motive up to contrib
ute TO that fund, and make il as large as possible
WISH in this case. not 10 make departure from the gem
eral rule but to give the benefit OF the hospital fund 70
those who contribute 10 it, and that would embrace the
licensed and enrolled vessels and the boatmen. who
are free from paying this debt These are my reasons
But will not detain the Senate
Those who navigate fatbosts, they called,
upon the waters SIX seven, or eight weeks at
the most These men enter for short period OF time.
They therefore do not pay the hospital money and per-
haps would be unwilling TO pay the hospital money be-
cause OF the shoness Of time TO, which they enter But
those persons that entered as boatmen. as remen as
hands upon the steamboats, pay the hospital money be-
they hands employed board the vessels that
registered and enrolled Our returns show all that
now All tia, have proposed in the amendment will Be
that any OF those persons who enter upon those Hat
boats for six eight weeks should become SICK they may
receive the benefit OF the hospital provision Now, sr
there very few Of them and those persons that
upon navigation upon those fatboats generally the
heathiest and most active OF any persons. We have
very few of them who get sick but they sometimes do
get sick and then they very often need assistance As
there not great many OF them standing in need OF
do not wish the Senate TO make any Distinction; and
hope you will allow them the little provision which
propose therefore hope il may be adopted at once,
without the addition Of The enrolled and licensed
sells"
Mr.. BRIGHT A few words. know the Senate is
anxious TO take the Ii my speaking is to oppose
the action Of the Senate, will yield.
Mr.. BRIGHT II everybody is for il, have nothing
to say; but IL not have good deal to say. There Is
great proprey in the suggestion Of the senator from Ken
too small think il should be doubled.
Mi. DAVIS, OF Mssisspp was very sorry the SEN
ator from Indiana Mr. BRioHTl did not 60 on ! was
understands II better than do; so hope he will pro-
ceed
Mr.. BRIGHT. | going to remark that there is
great propriety and justice in the proposition The re-
marks of the honorable senator from Mr.
DAvsl are not applicable to the boatmen OF the western
waters They may be very applicable as applied to men
navigating the but upon the western waters we have
a great number OF who run class OF boats which
are not registered and do not under the provisions
of the lava class OF men as much entitled TO the pro-
visions OF law those who upon registered vessels
who make IL their business 10 learn the channel oil
the stream who never run cargoes OF their own,
but always for their neghbors for others who employ
them. The senator from Kentucky says that that class
OF men are liable 10 be taken sick well any other
When they are taken sick, apprehend every senator
will that they much entitled 10 be brought
der the provisions OF this law the boatmen who run
upon vessels that regularly registered
The gentleman is mistaken in saying that every regis
tered vessel Is 10 the habit OF collecting hospital fees
They do not do il. Many boats do but. far my
perience goes, they generally do not They have per-
lect right to do it, speak advisedly upon that point
majority OF the boats, when they settle with their hands
pay them the price they 10 give them. without de-
applied TO for hospital fees at the ports she pays them
and never charges them against the crew. speak adj
vsedly when say that that is the pursued by
majority OF the boats upon the western waters, and
hence the great propety Of the amendment by the
tor from Kentucky, tMr UsDERwooDl That class OF
men who run boats that are not propelled by steam
should have the benefit OF the provisions of the amend
Mississippi Mr. DlvIs remarks, into the city hospitals,
and should come in for their relief.
The question was then taken on the amendment, and
IL was agreed to.
MARINERS OF CALIFORNIA
Mr. GWTN offered the amendment he had with