The daily union., 1852-09-11
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
SATURDAY, AUGUST 2s' 1893.
[IE CoNTISuATIoN.J
SENATE.

Mr.. DOWNS | am sorry 10 occupy moment OF me
nYscious time OF the Senate but cannot remain silent
bsn sueh strenuous opposition made 10 the passage OF
ms hill and when the peeunary interests oil lew steam.
boa owsers are placed in favorable contrast with our
duty 10 protect the lives OF the public confess that
have heard many things since FIRST had seat IN this
hody which have surprised but the Argument against
the bill just delivered by the senator from New Jersey
IMr SrocKToNl is the most extraordinary ever listened
n had thought that the jurisdiction OF the United
States extended the habors bays and rivers OF thus
country and il there power OF Congress which
was more unquesiioned than another il was the anhoy
10 punish the crime OF murcer in those waters lhs Dill
i 10 punish murder, and nothing else:
Mr. STOCKTON. did mol intend 10 deny the author
ty Of Congress. | only intended to warn the Senate
M DOWNS | consider that the only question in
volved in the bill is this: Whether shall permit
egazed, unQuesloned. unchecked, and peculiar class
in lhe community, to go on committing murder al will,
ar whether we shall make such enactmens as will COM
mel them 10 pay some attention to the value of life
have no hostility, prejudces, or resenmens, against
those persons who hold property IN steamboats, On the
contrary, | know that there many honorable men
among Them know that, as class. they may all be
looked on as honorable and fair men but know some
thing of their characteristics and peculiartes Like the
senator from Texas, [Mr. RUsK have had to travel
much with Them, and know thai, like all men who are
constantly exposed TO danger-like the warrior, the
soldier accustomed TO risk life at every moment,hey
have become Indifferent and careless 10 the pers with
which they are constantly surrounded, and expose their
own lives and the lives OF others, who avail themselves
Of their means OF travelling, reckessy and needessy to
instant destruction That feeling of careless hardhood
know exists among them and ask, is il not time that
Congress should nerpose, when hear repeatedly Of
the fatal consequences it eniails-when know that
in two cases three hundred persons have, of its
results, been literally murdered within the last month
upon The Henry Clay and the Atlantic, and when we
are informed that no less than seven hundred lives have
been lost by steamboat accidents within the last six
months
Mr.. DAVIS Allow me to mention fact Seventy
persons perished board the Henry Clay, when the
bow OF the boat was on shore, solely from the want OF
proper means to assist their escape.
Mr. DOWNS | know it well, sir. Yet gentlemen
here tell that should not interfere with private in
terests know must treat this subject cautiously,
but tell these gentlemen that, il ever there was sub
ect that required the prompt and speedy action OF Con-
gress, it is that have under consideration. Nor
IS this the first time that the question has forced itself
the attention OF legislative body Some years ago a
law was passed IN the State OF Louisiana for similar
object and had some experience OF the manner in which
administered. held the office OF district attorney
in part OF the State where these accidents frequently
occurred and felt il TO be my duty to institute most rigid
inquiry the OF the numerous accidents, with
a view to pevention yet such were The defects OF the
law that single conviction could be obtained, and
became convinced that individual States have not sui
cently extensive jurisdiction 10 enable them 10 enact
such laws will be operative Ii is utterly out of their
power TO do so when boat will sometimes pass through
Two three States in the course OF single day The
question then before Congress, and to de-
eide whether this Wholesale sysiemazed process OF
murder is to 90 on, without notice and without any at.
tempt TO stop IT, by which hundred persons have
gle yearl hope not. | agree with the from
MassschuSeS, Mr. DAvIs that the time is for
10 do something. We have needed some incentive 10
action we have bad enough recently stimulate u.s. and
we prepared TO do it, and we should proceed al
once while our minds are made up
am opposed TO any postponement. II The bill does
become law, and If thai law is TO take effect in March, II
absolutely necessary that we should pass upon II at
once in order 10 enable the poprieiors OF steamboats, to
take those steps which il requires. think now is the
lime for aclion. and we should pass this bill at once
Nj Dxna,H t.k "a ha Itz
,nciy understood that have not undertaken to deny
the right OF Congress interfere, the necessity Of
interference in regard TO the safety OF steamboats,
What have said is that is necessary TO amend and TO
guard such bill as that now before US from all unneces
s'ry encroachment on the liberty or business o the Gil
M DOWNS. Guard their lives FIRST.
Mr.. s. ,HOCKTON. The bill has been altered since it
left The Ssnie, and is now hurried along under the in
fuence OF huma ne and honorable but excited feelings.
Mr. BADGER Noisi all under excitement
Mr. STOCKTON The course OF gentlemen here
proves IL Reference las been made by lis friends to re-
cent accidents and especsny TO the loss OF lie which
occurred on board the Henry Clay IN justification OF this
measure With regard 10 that meanenoly event must
say thai believe all who know anything about steam
boat will agree with me that not single He
ought 10 have been lost on that occasion lhey had
not courage enough to take care OF Themselves Al all
events my opinion is that TO want oil se-possession
the great loss OF lie which occurred at that time -
mainly 10 be attributed The boat went on shore within
six or seven feet OF the railroad we have been INFORM
~ of the passengers se command enough TO get
shore from the bow, thus keeping clear OF the iames
bot, instead OF which, they unaccounably and wildly
rushed 10 the stern into the flames the water. is
there anything in this bill TO prevent such panic-such
scene.
II senators will allow the consideration OF this gues
ton to be postponed until next session. II need not delay
the practical operation o this measure IN any respect
no proposes that IT shall go into force until next
March. This reasonable delay will afford opporiu-
nifty TO amend the bill in way thet may be advan-
onAa IN
uxness TO make some of lis provisions stringent
ihan they are. The fact is, that gentlemen do not
Thoroughly understand the subject and 1t is altogether
a practical subject may be excused for saying IL
s matter that requires great practical knowledge and
experience and should be well considered The mere
fact OF steamboat having been recently destroyed by
FIRE is not good reason why this BILL incomplete and
III advised as think IL Is, should be passed. The sena
tor from Massachusetts, Mr.. DAvis] knows as well
do that the chief OF steam boat accidents - the
OF bad and defective boilers II s all very well to make
provisions as TO the in which steamboats, should
be constructed and naygafed. but there something else
TO be looked to; and that IL The manner IN which the
boilers are constructed and the quality OF the iron OF
which they are made. Where one accident arises from
burning up OF a boat. there dozen from bursting
boilers. Whenever boiler bursts, and deaths occur IN
consequence the public are always excessively lndig-
nant against the owner OF the boat when in truth, not
heowher but the iron and the boiler maker are
usnybody-responsible.
The person who purchases the iron may easily be de-
eeiven An instance of the kind happened only the other
day on me Ere railroad The iron OF which one OF the
whees o. an engine constructed was so bad IN quail
iy that broke, and several cars hurled down
emosnkmen lhlIy or forty feet high hope senator's
VIII eohsent 10 lhe posponemen OF this bill DO not
desie us reIeeuon merely require soch delay as TO
enao'e US 20 modify u, and make II reasonable bull
am willing That should be stringent in its provisions
dauira tkats he tnfe lItythI