The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-02
CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES.


[Is cosrIkUATioN
SENATE.
COAST SURVEY
Mr. CASS. Mr.. President wish to say one word
re upon this subject. said in the outset that il was to
q matter of little consequence which department d.
ted this work. because whoever placed there cannot
We the scientific qualifications necessary 90 into the
)als OF such work as this speak with some knowl-
ke upon this subject, Tor have had experience
81 The wtrk began in Jeferson's administration. He
h 10 Europe, and obnintd The services Of Mr. Hasser
supposed 10 be the best that could be got
snch work. His scientific atainments were suti-
INT; but believe every body who was acquainted with
kRows that his temperament did not qualify him for
work. When was in the department the dispute
not who should have the work 10 dO but who should
bAye IT, in consequence OF the peculiar temperament
1s Aaaslss- We went on but no one understood the
brk-l am sure did not--and we had TO depend upon
n Hassler for the details and must say that owing to
peculiar temperament, found the task OF going on
5th him exceedingly difficult Now. as said before.
IA may eave the operation of this work as you please
q have superintendent who in my opinion is doing
tceedingy well The work is, as the honorable sena-
from mississippi says an honor to the counlry-such
work - 10 hardly equalled in the world. We have
entifc men OF the army and navy why not associate
km into the work, place them in the board. and nsti-
e superintendent having charge OF the whole work
hat 10 the objection that The head OF the depart
mt cannot understand il You have high scientific
GERS qualified Tor such work,
Mr.. DAVIS, OF Mississippi, (nterposng) That is
be. Officers of The best aiainments in the army and
IVY are now selected; they detailed upon the work,
have charge of il The held and the water, and
" make their reports 10 the superintendent.
Mr. CASS. What wanted twenty years ago. and
lat want now, is beard to supernlend directly the
lraton OF the wofk-to stand between the department
] the execution OF the work am not speaking of Of
rs going into the. field. The honorable senator from
ssissipp says there gentlemen in the army compe-
superntend the work. but that you cannot get four
Them together; that there will be such dispute be
nouf each ODnf for MS w
on do not entertain such an opinion OF the officers
the army and navy do believe four men can be
Ind who will labor together and carry on the work
ectly we'll There ls no sort OF necessity Tor spirit
kiealousy and rivalry between the tive You can take
be- four, or five, who shall take charge OF the general
cution Of the work, and you will then have the bene.
bf their combined experience and knowledge lwill
. check upon the operation of the work | be-
ve there is scarcely member OF this body, with the
eption of two, who understands the details OF
work, and appeal to the gentleman before me il he
er entered into the details OF It, Now, II you have
entifc board (every country in the world has one you
I've the check OF the scientific atanments OF these gen.
Rmen; you have check upon the execution OF the
Hir BENTON. Mr. President, this is unexpected op.
tUion to what to me inquiry of course. When
|noked the gentleman from Georgia Mr. BERRIENl to
way 10 the resolution matter OF course, that Il
Be acted upon, had no idea that the inquiry made
head of the department was 10 be resisted, and to
paed by the supposiion that he could not say any
r. sapport Of The recommendation he had made
Snd OF the department say that can have
= upon the Senate. Some 20 30 lar as to say
oaivea. and perbaps by this time, or in a shor
retTact his error.
iS, Of Mississippi. Tin his seai) | did no,
lTON. Well. then, the gentlemen hoped be
will give him the benefit OF the distinction
Ne Secretary will retract his errors Now, MIR
when one senator. standing upon this elevated
hall say OF the head OF department. that he
will retract his error-.
AVlS, of Mississippi. ! did not say that.
eNTON. Well, then, what will take any
DAVIS, of Mississippi / said that the Secretary
h forth an opinion after he came into the de
mt and that hoped he would retract II upon fur
hvestigaon. said nothing about his error; neither
cay that he would retract.
BENTON We will take the word retract, without
ord error or anything OF the kind. Retract is IRON
attn yetracto-to draw back. tLaughterl He hope,
Iecretary of the Navy will draw back. Now, sir
this hope 10 expressed in the American Senate and
over the country. hope that the Secretary will have
opportunity of saying whether or not he feels that ht
mother senator who sits upon my right Mr.. DowNs
ts with infinite scorn my argument OF last session
81 he has perfect right TO do Blu, he goes further
treats with equal scorn the answer that may come
n the Secretary Of the Navy. That the senator ha'
right to do, with respect to the Navy Department. A
aior may speak as coniemptousy as he peases OF ihs
umen of another senator upon the oor lie may Induge
taste in speaking with scorn and contempt OF The arg
N, of another senator and be may intimate that | vii
nd alone or with very few on my side. Sir, have
d solitary and alone heretofore. Laughter and IN the
I have seen the whole Senate and The whole naiiof
he around at last and stand with ] stood solitary
alone against the Bank OF the United States. and
e lived TO il proclaimed an obsolete idea IN thi'
laie am not afraid Of being alone. But, slI, we
(ud forbear 10 PREJUDICE the Secretary OF the Navy
10 brand and stamp his report before it has beer
e as being nothing that will interest anybody IN thi
lmber is a new thing in this Senate, and protes
inst il coming from this chamber against 'he head
! department between whom and this Senate there
t he decorous intercourse The public service re
les that there shall be intercourse and decorum be
zen the Senate and the heads of the departments
orum must be observed, While, them, freely
lender to the senator from Louisiana lhe priv
OF treating my argument and my opinions viii
peasured scorn and contempt, deny HIM the right
he same thing with respect TO Tue Secretary oil I'M
Ne senator from Maine tMr. HASLIsl has said tha
thing s 10 be pressed. Wen, sir, that gentleman
myself have been acquainted not very long-som
pr seven years, perhaps; but do not think there y
hing in the incidents OF our acquaintance which au
fizes him to in,erpose that word " ~, when make
ion in order to know whether am IN earnest or mol
I propose nothing but what think ~ right AM
In propose thing, ] stand to II until there is
per decision upon il.
dr President. having met this extraordinary opposl
-auch one as there is parallel 10 II IN the bisor
hhe American Senate shall ask the indulgence 0
Senate for the yeas and nays Before am done will
will show that am myself IN earnest
Now, the senator from Mississippi says that our sur
are incomparaby superior to those ot Great Britain
H. air, that comes up to what have heard OF, bu
yer saw thing perpendicular that 1t leaned over
the British surveys are correct-naihemaucaily cor
and now want 10 know wha, can be more correc
in mathematical correctness. The British surveys ar
automatically correct, and ours more So Laughter
<l think that gives ns an idea OF that perpeadlcn
kty which j. more than perpendicuar-which lean
Mr. President. there wa. once n word accustomed {
her n