The daily union., 1852-03-13
In CONGRESS OF THE U. STATES.
Thirty second Congress First session.
FRIDAY. MARCH u, 1872.
SENATE.
PERsoNAL ExpLANArI


Mr. HAMLIN | have risen for the purpose of ask
ing the unanimous OF the Senate 10 do what be-
lieve have never before done II is TO occupy few
moments in addressing upon subject before the body
and somewhat personal 10 my action. ! think
will occupy than fifteen OF twenty minutes OF
the time OF the Senate, and desire unanimous consent
The PRESIDENT The senator can only address the
Senate on subject not now pending by unanimous
consent II there be no objection the senator from Maine
can proceed.
There was no objection.
Mr.. HAMLlN. MIR, President in the early part of
this session sundy memorials referred 10 the Com
mttee on Commerce relating 10 act TO provide for the
better security OF the lives OF passengers board OF
vessels propelled In whole or in part by steam. The sub
ject was relenedby the Committee Commerce to a
sub committee, consisting OF the senator from Massachu
setts Mr. DAvIsl Oh the 18th OF February that
tor reported the bill which now hold in my hand The
matter, originally presented the Committee on Com.
merce embraced the subject OF steam boilers life boats.
pumps, and other apparatus connected with our steam
boats On subsequent day TO that on which the ongl-
nal papers were presented to the committee my colleague
Mr. BRADBURY introduced resolution calling the at
enton OF the Committee Commerce to another branch
connected with the matter TO which the bill originally re-
lated, 10 wit 10 the subject OF the disesses and calam-
ties which grew out Of our overburdened boats from
New York to California, and from California to New
York On the presentation OF that resolution, and OF
other papers and memorials relating TO the sdbect,
the committee immediately gave the subject consdera
the 18Th day OF February. and contains certain provs
ions designed to remedy the evils complained of in rea
HOn 10 CdlioTnIa steamers. Alter the senator from
Massachusetts had reported the bill there other
papers referred TO the Committee Commerce relating
to the California steamers. On the first day OF March,
by the direction OF the Committee Commerce, sub
miiied the following report:
''Mr. HAM1IN, from the Committee on Commerce. TO
whom was referred documents relating The Of
and memorial from the citizens of Brunswick, Maine on
The same subject, Submitted report. asking be dis
charged from the further consideration ol the which
was agreed to-
Now, if the reporters had stated what stated in my
place, this explaa aaon my part would not have been
necessary stated that made the report because the
committee had already reported bill embracing the sub
contained IN hess apapeTs But the reporters
did not make the explanation which | gave in my
place consequently, find that the legislature OF the
State OF Maine. justly alarmed that action to be
taken by Congress in relation 10 that question: have
aga,ed the question. find that public meetings in New
England have been called, and all predcaed upon mis-
taken fact 10 wit that the Committee Commerce
have asked leave 10 be discharged from the consideration
OF the subject It simply asked TO be discharged from
the consideration OF these two papers and the
which gave would have been sufficient if it had been
staednamely that the subjecimatler had already been
reported upon. And besides that, and subsequently TO
this brief report which | made asking to be discharged
from the consideration of these two papers, may say
that have been overwhelmed with letters from all parts
OF New England, from which section of country many
OF people going TO the distant region OF Calfor-
MIA And have sought this occasion TO make this
panation in order that il be known, first, that the
Committee on Commerce have neither been remiss
derect in its duty and, secondly that in max ing the re-
port only sought to be discharged from these Two pa
One word further: Because the bill is a vouminous
one desire TO state very briefly what are the provs-
ions in H. which we have incorporated with the desire
cure the evil which has been much complained Of In
the first place, the bill provides that there shall be APP
pointed by the President two nspectorsone be called
inspector OF steam boilers aud one 10 he called inspector
OF hns This bill provides that this board of inspectors
shall examine the character OF the vessel of its hull and lis
construction and shall designate precisely the number OF
passengers beyond which the boat shall not be allowed
TO cary and these inspectors. after having made such
examinations to issue certificate TO the oil
the boat which certificate is to be printed and to be put
up public and conspicuous place in the boat,
showing the number OF passengers beyond which the
boat shall not be allowed 10 carry In the opinion OF the
committee, very much OF the evils complained Of arise
from the great number OF passengers taken board
Ii has been suggested that the rule which applies
to sailing vessels shall apply TO steam vessels
The matter received the consideration OF the committee
have received this morning letter from very nelli.
gent and scientific and educated gentleman in Maine,
who urges upon our consideration the importance OF
making the provisions that apply 10 sailing
sells apply to our steamboats, But when is known that
the construction OF steamboats, much from
that Of sailing vessels, il will be that the super.
hcal number OF Feet the number OF square feet
for passenger IN the would not be ad
equaie or proper rule Tor the other And be-
heved, and II is believed by your committee that by the
appointment OF skillu TO inspect the boat and its
constructions he would better determine the number than
any rule which the committee could fix, based the
number either oil superficial or square feet
II is also proposed by the committee when this bill
shall up for consideration, add another section 10
it, with ample and sufficient penalties, which shall compel
food and Of sufficient quality Both OF these provisions
when incorporated into BILL IN The opinion OF the com.
mee will meet very nearly all the objections, and cure
senator from Massachusetts, Will offer such an amend
ment.
Then SIR in addition 10 that, the bill provides that for
a violation of the provisions TO which have alluded the
owners and the master OF vessel shall be liable in a
penalty equal 10 the amount OF the passage money and
dollars additional for every passenger they shall
take on board the boat beyond the number specified
in the certificate. The bill also provides that all the
penalties attached in such shall attach 10 the
boat, and the boat shall be held respond TO all
the damages which shall arise in relation 10 any
sengers The bill drawn up by The senator
from Massachusetts, and | am bound 10 say that he
has manifested great industry and signal ability aud
think thai, when carefully examined by the Senate il
will be very certain meet IFS approval Ii does meet
mine, and will receive my hearty If there
any additional provisions which should he deemed
necessary 10 relation TO the ventilation OF these boats
Of any other description, only say that there is a.
concurrent sentiment existing in the Committee on Com
to add all necessary provisions 10 meet all the evils
that may be found 10 exist in the
The bill is very important one. and one in which
deep interest is taken by the public The caames and
The committee are fully impressed with its importance.
The senator from Massachusetts, tMr DAvIs,1 who has
lin charge, will ask for its consideration the earliest
practicable moment
Mr. BRADBURY | desire TO add. Mr. President, that
have also received numerous communications, founded
upon the impressions from different parts OF my
State The explanation which my colleague has given,
think will remove the msapprebension. desire to
add that very glad TO learn that IL is in contempla