The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-02

~ Tor deaylDg the expense OF the transportation OF the
for thai year woad be less than o9s7,00o by $500,
900, or, IN other words about $7,600.0O0
Now, Mr. President. what proposed IN the report oil
the honorable gentleman who Is al The head OF the Navy
DEPARTMENT. not by any arrangement or separation, TO
make the expenditures proper 10 the navy appear less
than they really but by separating from the appopfl
ate expenses OF that department the thirteen hundred
thousand dollars now charged TO that department. which
really expended for the transportation OF the mails OF
the United States 10 make the proper naval expenditures
OF the government appear 10 be what they truly are
That is ali.
Now, Mr. President wish TO say one word upon
the proposition 10 strike ou this clause Of the bill II
think, with my friend from Maryland, that has
yet been assigned why that provision should be stricken
out What he has said is true and il TO prove
that the maximum may be set down the sum Tor which
the service will be contracted for That, think, almost
uniformly the Case so that il may now be taken for
granted. Then comes 10 this; whether we shall, in
obtaining vessels take them Tor The present purposes Tor
which we want them with the additional advantage OF
their being capable OF being applied 10 war purposes, or
whether we shall take vessels which will answer our
present purpose without this additional advantage have
mentioned. For myself sir, can conceive oil reason
why this change should be made. Let US have vessels
OF the stipulated size let US have them for the purpose
OF the transportation of the mail, aud let have them
made that, il necessity should arise for IT. they may be
adapted TO war purposes.
Ii has been said with good deal Of confidence by the
honorable senator from Florida, MIR MALLoRY] that
OF the steam vessels built under the contracts
which contain this provision ht Tor war steamers
and he says the three old commodores were consulted
were consulted, and did all agree in that opinion,
should not think was strict logical scquuur--that
the opinion was correct one--by no means Sir. these
steamers were constructed under the direction OF The
Navy Department. and under the supervision OF naval
constructors, TO be strong enough to be adapted 10
answer the end OF war steamers.
Mr. MALLORY. Ii the honorable senator will al
low me word, will ask him whether there is not
now on file at The department report OF the naval officer
that they were not so constructed
Mr. BADGER. The honorable senator must 60 some
where else for information. do not know what is on
file at the department II may be so, but do mol know
that that is the These vessels have been construct
ed under the superintendent OF that class of officers
whose special business it is to know how vessels should
be constructed for war service. Commodores are not
naval CONSTRUCTORS you do not select ea-ocers 10
perntend the construction and arrangement OF ship for
war purposes. That belongs to particular mechanical
branch Il may use that expression OF the naval ser
vice. These steamers have been constructed, as they
were ordered to be constructed Tor war purposes under
The supervision OF the proper officers attached to the
Navy Department. and SIR until see one Of them tried
hear that OF them has been tried and found TO be
incapable OF answering this end, shall assume that they
are tit Tor war steamers.
Why, sir, we know that new improvements very sell
dom originate in the navy or in the army; they come
from other quarters We know also that there has been
generally prevailing prejudice against every improve
ment that has been made in the construction of vessels
for Moreover, ii seems TO belong, somehow or
other, TO all the professions and empoymens of life
Il is said that when Harvey discovered the circulation OF
the blood, (f am wrong my friend over the way Mr.
GwIN1 can correct me-, there scarcely three phys
clans, ior forty years afterwards who believed in the
sence of the circulation OF the blood it discover
ed They all held on with pernacity to their old opln.
ions SO has been with regard 10 this system Of steam
defence Sir, little consideration given 10 by what
have been called the ''od salls'--
Mr. CASS, lin his seat.) Old fogies [Laughlerl
MIR. BADGER Yes, sir These old fogies liked
what they had been accustomed 10. They had fought
battles and won victories sailing vessels, and they
took Tor granted that these steamers, which, instead OF
having sails, carried about they SAID by nothing
but ,eakette OF hot water, good for nothing All
these Improvements have had 90 through this ordeal
believe these vessels will be found be easily convert
ible into steamers Al all events, do not see why
should make alteration in this BILL so as to depart
IRON Wbai has been the common practice oil this govern
ment heretofore.
Mr.. HUNTER Mr.. President, as the senator from
Louisiana is anxious to have vote upon the BILL and
do not wish TO proac this discussion, although moved
this amendment, will lorbear what intended to say
IN support OF u, and will discuss il when comes up on
other measures, leaving II al present 10 be voted upon.
The from North Carolina believes in the sy stem
OF connecting the subject OF defence by steamers
with the post office system will no, discuss that ques
ton pow but postpone IT till another occasion.
Mr.. HAMLlN | will state in word the reasons
which will control my against the amendment of The
senator from Virginia II was my purpose 10 have spoken
upon this matter do not now however, propose 10 go
into any discussion upon the question think there is
distinction that might be drawn between the sen
aors who have spoken upon the two sides of this matter
Nov, am opposed 10 making any more steamers and con-
Meeting them with the navy. i am opposed to making
steamers to navigate the Guone OF the mos, dangerous
OF navgatonebat are not strong any vessel that
shall be built for naval purposes. Now, il You keep the
amendment IN, Is not proposed to connect II with the
mail 1t only proposes TO make the vessel strong a
naval vessel, and does not, like the old bill propose
connect with and make part OF the mail. For that
| reason shall vote against the amendment
Mr. BORLAND am in favor OF the proposed amend
ment have listened very attenvey the Arguments
IN favor OF retaining that portion OF the bill in its present
form, and have heard nothing that satisfies of the
proprieiy OF doing II proceeds, il to me, upon
what have always considered hciion-tha the vessels
IN which we are carrying the mails be so
constructed as TO be easily convertible into purposes
have looked into this matter, as well as have been
able Tor some time past and agree fully with the sena-
tor from Florida Mr.. MALLORY that there is no reason
fr believing, but every Tor rejecting the idea that
they nj Tor war steamers, that that idea present
IN the minds OF the constructors. did believe ;
but was assumed, and necessarily assumed foun-
rest that IL 10 be part of the navy Otherwise, it
was clear contribution TO individual speculation, to
build up the fortunes OF individuals by granting them
monopoles and paying them for the purpose OF
those monopolies at the hand Of the government
The honorable senator from Maryland proceeded, in
support OF the BILL and in opposition TO the amendment,
on the ground that IT, was important account OF the
dangers which these vessels might encounter in the Gulf
not those of navigation but the danger OF encounteng
some force OF any enemy-ihal they should be in con.
diton 10 defend themselves Why, this bill does not pro-
selves against any attack They will be as liable to at.
tack and delenceless with this provision in the bill
II they were built only for commercial purposes They
are TO carry armament The idea that they shall
be built IN such way that they may, II government
ques Them TO be taken Tor purposes, and without the
expenditure OF more money, be convertible into war
steamers.
II sustain the bill in its present FORM we recognise
what consider hcion-ihat these vessels be