Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-09-18

Mr. PRATT. Allow me to make suggestion for the
purpose of saving time understand that the b Is 70
90 into operation in the month OF March ~ mas been
acted BY the House of Representatives, and suppose
that it be now laid upon the table, under the rules, when
again in December three months before II takes
effect take up and we shall then have suicient
time consider and act upon the amendments Of the
House of Representatives ask the Senator from Mas
sachusetts whether he does not think that the public
interest viii be better promoted by taking this
than by hurryng the action Of the Senate nowg We
are at present pressed for tme and it is impossible that
we can give all the amendments due consideration the
adoption Of Them without reading even, is that
strongly opposed TO. Since we informed that
the bill will have the effect of destroying the steamboat
interest in California well as in Maryland think that
the suggestion is entitled consideration from the
Senator from Massachusetts, feel indebted the Sena
tor for his kindness in permitting to interrupt him
while making the suggestion.
Mr.. DAVIS. The proposition made by the gentleman
has been considered but it is supposed by of the
rends of this bill that still contains much Of good and
they Of opinion that this is the time for action Those
gentlemen who came here from the West and whose ad
vice and assistance in framing the bill have been OF much
value, might not be able to return at the next session Ii
should be permitted die for the present session. it
viii then be placed in hopeless condition. and will be
almost impossible TO revive it. This is no doubt what
DESIRE but anxious to obtain the good which
the bill contains and the it affords of
giving security to life and property II 1t should
appear that amendments desirable it will be easy
obtain them hereafter take up the postponed bill
at future session
Mr.. HALE. have not yet said any thing respect
ing this BILL but understand that it is very important
have the declarations of its friends for that opn
ion. The Senator from Texas, (Mr. RUsK) believe,
stated that it Of much Importance any Of the
appropriation bills. Well there hundred and
fifty amendments to it reported to us by the House of
Representatives and we have time to read much less
to consider them Under these circumstances, think
there is much force in the suggestion of the Senator from
Maryland NIr PRATT To test the sense Of the Senate
therefore, move postponement till the second Tuesday
in December, and that it be made the special order for
that day.
The PRESIDENT. The motion of the Senator from New
Hampshire is not strictly in order.
MIR. HALE. Then move to lay it the table, and
| ask for the yeas and nays
Mr.. RUSK. hope that the Senator from New Hamp-
shire will withdraw his motion to lay the bill the table
Mr.. HALE. will do so if you will renew it.
Mr.. RUSK. / win do so.
Mr. BADGER ask the Senator from Texas to allow
me to call attention to the rule upon this subject 1t is
very questionable whether this bill could be taken up
the next session of Congress under the joint rule The
rule is this
"After six days from the of a second
subsequent session Of Congress, all bills resolutions
ports which originated in either house. and the close of the
next preceding session remained in either house.
shall be resumed and acted in the if
adjournment had not taken place."
Now, think it is very questionable whether the rule
can be so construed to permit the bill be brought
at the next session. Recolect that it is rule relaxing
the original parliamentary rule and embraces no cases
except those which expressly included in it, doubt
very much whether it would embrace the Of bill
which had passed the Senate and House of Representa-
tves, and which remained the table, not question
of passage but solely a question of concurring in
amendments. | mention this because think it is very
doubtful whether under the rule the bill could be taken
up at the next session
Mr. RUSK. desire to say very few words on this
question and shall commence by thanking in the name
of humanity the Senator from Massachusetts Mr. DAVIS
for the immense labor he has bestowed upon the prepare
ton of this BILL 1t will form page in his history that
his children may look upon with pride when he is gone
This is the only country in the world which has not
passed stringent regulate the manner in which that
powerful agen-steam-s to be employed by individuals
this is the only country in the world where human life
would be reckessy and wantonly sacrificed TO the cup
dy OF steamboat propretors have repeatedly
during the last fifteen years Some step was rem
dered absolutely necessary and the Senator from assa
chuses has taken the right in the introduction Of
that bill The whole subject has been carefully invest-
gated by that gentleman he hoo obtained Information
every side his has been open persons represent
ing all classes and interests and, with patience that
did him honor he has listened to all who desired make
any representations to him. He has read such memorials
and documents bearing the subject believe no
other Senator pressed with business all are could
be induced to read The whole has been care
fully dgested and matured by him and now at this late
stage Of the session, this bill-which from my own
knowledge of the subject, and from the information of
those who much better acquainted with it than
profess to be- is infinitely superior the former law upon
that subjects TO be set aside for the purpose of graft
flying the steamboat owners Some of them have no
doubt oppose it, might and MAN, simply because they do
not understand its provisions They imagine that they
will be required to change all the machinery in their boats
at once and consequently that the of the machinery
now in will be thrown away This is a mistake The
machinery in will be retained, il it is Of such
character bear the Of inspection that which
will not do should, Of course be rejected And all the
machinery be made for future must be submitted
to inspection.
Some Of the observations made to ne by these steam
boat propretors not at all credtable to them to
human nature They have avowed their determinations
defeat the BILL and have raised such pay objections
the cost Of four FIVE buckets which they will be
compelled to supply at something like quarter of dol
lar each, and the Of few axes amounting in the
whole perhaps to not quite forty dollars.
Mr.. DAVIS. Not the half Of that
Mr.. RUSk. dare say my friend from Massachusetts,
is rght-the whole viii more than half what
have stated And sir, this opposition the bill has been
characterized by such degree of pertinacty as have
witnessed in outside pressure before and have
much Of il here Their object appears be the de-
feat Of all legislation the subject and the power of
ercising their own uncontrolled discretion.
The question for the Senate to consderis whether they
viii act in such manner protect steamboat interests
alone whether they win throw safeguards round
human life and prevent repetition Of those lamentabe
catastrophes which have occurred frequently Of late
The pers accompanying steamboat navigation under the
system great and the chances Of
ternz instant and horrible death so numerous that
for my part would rather encounter almost any risk
than that with which threatened the journey Of
some three four Thousand miles from this place to my
home. However, my individual fate is matter Of no
great consequence to the public must 20 at time
other and possibly might well 90 now by the ex-
poson Of steamboat boiler by any other means at
4 future day but sir, will candidy that would
rather take part in Indian fight ay enter long
Indian campaign, than venture on undertaking this
voyage of three thousand four thousand miles,
must, 70 see my wife and children once again.
/ Mr. II IL rp1a onH fha duul