The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-18

rested BY the Secretary of the Navy | think Mr. Hen.
shaw suspended tn payments. new contract was
again entered into by the late distinguished Secretary OF
the Nasy-Mr bason ol Virginia. And within short
year alter II was again suspended. Ii continued
pended aniil application for renewal made in ls47
and IN the month OF June July 1915, the contract was
again renewed by the Secretary, after full aud de.
hpea'e consideration, and that contract is in force
Why shall II not be carried into execution II has
peen suggested here that it was supposed that Mr. Ma
son mad no authority to enter into that contract should
IKE 10 know upon what ground. None is stated none
ls inumated cannot take il upon presumption That
Secretary was among the most eminent and distinguished
lawyers OF THIS country, and long upon the judicial
bench. venture to say he did not bring the ad-
minsraon 10 enter into of this kind without
iull authority 10 do so. Well sir this contract
tered into by the government in ls4s, giving Mr. Size
vens the period of hive years in which to construct this
steamer Now, unless some one point out defect
OF authority, what course must the Senate pursue
why, sir the faith ol the is already pledged
the question is passed question we have gone into
this measures we have adopted the policy; Congress has
adopted The policy and it has been executed by con-
tract he good faith OF the government repeat is
pledged 70 the execution Of H.. And yet has been sus
whether the Executive shall go with the payments.
The time has not yet arrived when this war steamer
was 10 be delivered. The contract is still in force and
as 10 any delay that has occurred il occasoned by
the experiments made and by the investigations entered
into By the contractors for the purpose Of accomplishing
Inc Undertaking III manner most conducive 10 his
tame. IL there were any delay, in tue first place, the
government bas waived II ior the late administration
acted upon the subject and extended the period five
full consideration and debealion; it done because
the executive department believed it TO be its duty exc
cute contract that bal been previously made under an
&C OF Congress What, then, to do Where is the
remedy in this case This government cannot be brought
before judicial tribunal The contractor has remedy
except TO appeal 10 the sovereign will of Congress- II is
now merely question OF good faith upon tie part OF This
government IN executing contract deliberately made
upon most important matter Shall that good faith be
KEPT yons or shall We as far as we are concerned
debate unless II be whether this government will pre-
serve Its pledged faith in lis contracts. Unless thai be
question, there would be question before the
Senate; but suppose II were open question in This
particular instance: still the inquiry arises what line of
policy is expedient 10 aop' The government has
tered into an arrangement with Nessrs. Collins & Co,
by which, with comparatively little cost, entitled
to the steamers OF that line at appraisal, whenever the
exsences OF the country shall require them We called 10
our aid the energy activity and power OF commercial
terpIise BY the arrangement inc expense beyond
remuneration ior transporting the mails until take the
vessels and pay the appraised value II is my conviction
in regard TO these steamers that when The termination
the shall have been reached the government
will have incurred little or expense al all, and yet il
VIII nave these steamers al command constructed alter
model directed by the government But when the
question OF sustaining this line up in the Senate,
the proposal was resisted by some; they not wi,
ling 10 concur IN this mode there opposition in
the Senate TO This mode OF introducing The element OF
steam lnio navy. That opposition may be well
ionndei gave my vote, however, 10 continue the con
tract and carry II oul, because the government hai
pledged lis faith to do and having embarked in the
enterprise, would go through with in the face OF Bnt
But here is arrangement OF different description,
where the government has entered into contract with
Responsible individual TO construct steamer that
shall be shot and bomb proof and the contractor the
most sku and accomplished person ia this country In
everything pertaining 10 the subject. But this arrange
menl Is resisted and opposed here. There is only
other mode OF )npshng the object and that is
Tor The government 10 construct its steamers
10 sustain them IN commission from year 10 year, 10
build them when necessary, and then at last when
comes, 10 reckon up the cost vi all modes OF con-
sructng steam marine for purposes this is doubt
less the least economical and would bring the heaviest
charge upon The treasury. The cost OF them will be i'm
mense Bot lei that be If it be necessary for the de-
fence OF the country, because that is indispensable
consideration, and one that ouweghs every consdera
ton oil pecunlay Character But the government bas not
adopted that policy.
The governments of all other nations introducing
this element into naval warfare. We told by The
senator from New Jersey Mr. STocxToSl that coast
Is perfectly delenceess against these steamers
What, them shall we do' speak 10 those who oppose
this You will not call the skill and power of
commercial enterprise 10 aid in the construction OF war
ste ou will enter into contract with the most
mplised, experienced and reliable construct
them according 10 their own judgment, and OF the de-
scrpon specified in this contract perhaps in any other
contract Neither will you propose that the government
embark IN their construction by It's own officers
agents. course undoubtedly the most costly and per-
haps most extrayagant 10 which, however, ii II be
found necessary, will have objection One point is
settled point IN my mind This element of steam must
be brought into the navy OF this country is indspen
sadly necessary. There is not city upon coast,
there not State in the Union upon the Atlantic board
or upon the Bay OF Mexico that is not directly interested
in this measure. Weshould be behind the age in which
we live were we not cheerfuy and readily TO come for
ward and avail ourselves OF this element Say there is
for choices II must be done II will be done.
There only question as 10 the manner IN which II
shall be done. | would reier 10 the South. There is
excited feeling in the public mind, not only in this
county, but abroad and III OF a with any Eu-
ropean power tue be left deeiceess Is IT not
important TO hemsi it not important TO every portion OF
Tie country bordering upon The ocean, upon the Mex
lean Gui-s not important 10 the whole country-lhat
yoa should have this description OF naval marDe that IN
few hours present itself al any point upon the coast
and insure il perfect safety.
should dislike to the vessels OF an enemy riding
ia safety waters month after month"; and year after
year, in the event OF a war We have that once,
but hope we may see Il again. But how are We
10 avoid III You must adopt this system OF defence,
which; so far az my information extends, has been
adopted by other countries having occasion 10 introduce
H. By this very element of steam you able,
upon short notice, TO throw 900 men upon any one
point, where bul yesterday you could scarcely throw
10 900 Through the fundamentally Of this element,
we have power enough upon land. What you want,
aud what you must have, is this steam power upon The
water. Now sir, propose TO 90 with the contracts
which the government has made OF every description
until that point is attained II mode will not meet
the object IN yiew then am for trying another The OBJ
lect is important be permitted TO langush or net
10 be accompsed by differing about the mode IN which
il is to be done ! would resort TO every mode until
we have attained our object II is nov a matter OF
experiments but when you have ascertained the best
mode of doing il, then follow It out
The end must be attained; that, were this an open
question | should myself entertain doubt that,
the object is that must be accomplished, we should