The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-11

the usages OF navigaiors rivers. Second. we have
provided for the examination and appointment OF all pilots
upon the nyes and lakes, and none are to serve without
permit This arrangement carries 10 that region what
has always been deemed necessary the coastproof
Doih oil competent skill and good character Inc lives oil
The travelling public should be commltted TO none but
steady sober men, capable and Trustworthy The object
OF the act TO secure the services OF such and none
others, There great skill in detecting The proofs that
danger is concealed beneath the surface OF the waller IL
requires quick, experienced, untlrng eye, that sees
every ripple and understands its character We deem this
an essential portion Of the system OF reform. and alike
important 10 life and the preservation oi property.
nave now done with the statistics which proposed
to lay before the Senate. and account of the general
provisions OF the bill After having expressed the great
obligations under TO all who have collected ino
nation, and 10 all who have assisted me by their expert
ence and knowledge, have word two more to say
to The Senate in regard TO this subject and then shall
leave the bill with them.
This bill has been long under the confederation Of the
COMMITTEE on Commerce. have occasion personally TO
know that very extensive correspondence has been car
ed on with all parts oil the country interested in steam
navigation. and there have been laid before the commit
tee great multitude OF memorials, doings OF chambers OF
commerce. OF boards OF rade of conventions OF bOdes
OF engineers, and considerable extent OF all persons
Interested, in one form or another, in steamers. They
all come to Congress to complain OF the existing state oil
things And in thing, believe, they sll-from
present system is erroneous. and needs correction that
there is habit, especially upon the western waters, of
carrying steam to dangerous height which ought TO be
my kno owledse, and among all the persons with whom
have conferred believe there Is no exception to this
statement. They, one and ALL think il expedient that
Congress should take the subject up, and should reduce
the pressure allowed on steamers employed in that region
OF country.
You are aware sir, that bill was reported at the last
session OF Congress containing many OF the provisions
which contained in this bill. 1t was taken up, but
not finally acted upon because OF lis imperfecions
The subject was taken at early day in this session.
and the committee early reported this bill. The Senate
ordered some tive or six hundred extra copies OF the bill
10 be printed for distributions that the country might be
informed OF its character and its contents took what
pains was in my power 10 circulate it, to make known
everywhere, but especially to make it known in
the regions most interested in il And il gentlemen there
did not receive copies OF the BILL and were not made ac-
quainted with its contents have only TO regret that my
efforts failed TO bring il TO their notice. But has been
brought to public attention there II has received great
consideration in that portion OF the country It has been
everywhere more or less discussed in the press Il has
been examined with careful criticism by many individuals
There has been in this city during the whole winter
number Of experienced engineers looking after the inter
ests OF that portion OF the country There standing
behind me now several of those gentlemen of very
great experience, who have been long engaged in
whom have grown gray in thai service-who gentle
men OF great intelligence. They come here as repre-
sentatives OF large convention, 10 make known their
wants and their wishes upon this topic We have sat down
around the table. we have discussed this subject. we
have examined il day after day, and am able (Which is
to me very great degree Of satsacon) and authorized
10 10 the Senate that all the gentlemen who
have come here TO look after these interests satisfied
with the bill. will be satisfied with it when il receives
the amendments which intend to propose before sit
down. Ii is this chiefly that wished to communicate
the Senate. II senators satisfied that the bill has
undergone this careful criticism by Of very large
persace, by men deeply interested in its provisions. who
say-sier examining in convention, after examining
10 their chambers, after looking and scanning
and weighing and considering all its provisisns-ihat
they are satisfied with IT, il seems TO me that they must
admit that II is seldom IN the power OF any gentleman TO
produce before the Senate any satisfactory evidence
OF the character oil a bill.
did no, expect when the bill was ordered TO be pub
shoI at xuaan / kpnu bnf, IA, eph
Jec 10 know that II was very complicated one-tha
was full OF embauassmens | did not suppose at that
time that the work was complete Therefore continued,
as received communications from time TO time from
and another source, sometimes by letters some
times by newspapers sometimes by conference with ind
vduals. TO correct one mperfection after another
went on. Alter shall propose the large number OF
amendments which intend 10 offer, the fundamental
principles OF the bill will remain substantially they are
do not say that some of these amendments which are
made necessary by facts the existence Of which
known at the time OF drawing up the bill, not
very material know they are, but they spring from the
character OF The machinery now IN and we may
hdenty look Tor better proporoned machinery in future
IN working which, steam at low and safe temperature
may be employed with greater economy and equally ei
fecive power.
With these remarks, will proceed TO offer those
amendments to the bill which have struck my own mind
important, and the most OF which, many OF them
least such have grown OF the conferences
merely formal which designed 10 carry out more
cuaiey the provisions designed to be put in force The
nfst WHICH propose 10 10 insert IN
the second secton after The word "engines" the words
appointed under the provisions OF this act"
read that IT shall be the duty OF the inspectors OF the
hulls OF steamers and the inspectors OF boilers and
gines appointed under the provisions OF this act" &c
Mr. BRIGHT. | would take the liberty to inquire OF
the senator from Massachusetts, whether he intends TO
require The Senate TO vote upon the bill to-day mo-,
Mr. DAVIS. Il hope it will be completed
Mr. BRIGHT. ! have no objection TO going forward
and adopting the amendments, provided the amendments
be printed and the Senate have opportunity OF
aae 4 be
pressed TO a vote on the bill without opportunity
OF examining the amendments that going TO be
adopted
Mr. DAVIS. II will take some considerable time TO
go through with them.
MIR. BRIGHT. was going to suggest that we go
through with the amendments, and have opportunity
to examine them hereafter.
The question being taken on the amendment. il was
agreed TO-
Mt DAVIS then proposed the following amendments
to the bill which were adopted without debate
10 section 2, the end, add the following proviso
Psoptd,d, hoeper II the structure of steamers nsvl-
eating rivers only be such, the arrangement OF the boil
es OF machinery be such, that the requirements aforesaid
cannot without serious nconvenenoe sacrifice, be com
pied With, inspectors may hereirom, " In their udg
ment u can be done with safety
In section g. after the word .saoat" insert "And shall
also have suitable provision for turning al time cur
rent OF steam into the hold"
In The section, strike the following provisot
Proridsd. honsper, That any which shall not
any time carry than fifty passengers shall not be
required 10 have than such pumps one oil which
shall be prepared to work by steam as Aforesaid"
And inserts
Prouidsd That in steamers navigating rivers only
OF the pumps Aforesaid may be dispensed with II the other
provisions for extinguishng fire in the opinion oil the
inspectors sufficient secure safety"