The daily union., 1852-05-14


and, before remarked tbess estimates furnished
or our future action and ought therefore TO estimate
ilhs amount we are called upon 10 allow now with rel
erence 10 the amount which shall have 10 pay here
alter now on the original cost OF all Tue vessels
namely, S2,9t4, l42-seyen per cent would amount to
$500 0S9 Then. TO lind out the amount OF insurance 10
be paid Tor each trip. must divide that sum by twenty
SIX, which Is the number OF trips proposed TO be made by
lhis line oil steamers IN consequence OF the granting oil
this appropriation That will amount only to S7,926-a
thousand dollars less than the estimate which find in
the account OF details The same rule, with the same
result, will apply in regard TO interest," and upon that cal
cuation will find that they have estimated the total
interest III 900 too high So, also, in regard 10 the de-
terioraon OF the vessels themselves 1t is put down at
per cent which will amount TO ~ 1925, instead Of
So,4o4, as furnished by the estimate. Here then, Sit.
Is the sum OF $2,0l2 which they have estimated too
much in the items of insurance. and interest and detero
ration OF the vessels This multiplied by twenty six,
will give annual amount OF $52,3i2 more than the
actual estimate That may be regarded by some gentle
men as small mistake; but regard il as consider
able sum. }g
The senator from Ohio. [Mr wADE,l while speaking
should vbraie through the heart OF every western man
who s called upon to vote in regard TO this appropriation
do not wish TO be at all sectional in reference TO this mat
ter; but think that, as western man. have right
TO ask that justice should be done TO that long neglected
section OF our country before called upon to vote
such large and enormous amounts OF money for the sus
enance and protection OF interests with which we have
comparatively but little to do have means OF as
certaning the comparative amount and value OF the
me!ce OF the West which floats upon the bosom OF the
The small means of information which have, that this
western commerce is infinitely SUPERIOR both in amount
and value, to the comnerce carried on between New
York and Liverpool find from an estimate OF the Sec
reary OF the Treasury in report sent to this body
the 2st Of December last that the whole steam marine
tonnage OF Great Britain at that time l42 OsO tons
Now the steam tonnage OF the interior Of the United
States at the time amounted TO 204 ,645 tons. II
well known that at least onethird OF this tonnage be-
longs to the West and from this statement may form
some estimate OF the comparative and value of
ihe western commerce. compared with that of Great
britain, as carried on between Liverpool and New
Now, allow me to ask what is the amount given by
this government for the last ten years to protect the
commerce which is carried on at the West' The last
the purpose Of protecting the commerce OF the West
was passed in 1884, and by that bill the magnificent
donation OF 100000 was made TO improve the Ohio
river between the cities Of Ptsbug and Louisville
and $ls0,0oo to improve the Ohio below the falls
at Louisville the Mississippi Missouri, and Arkan-
,s SAG nyesaony $2soooo in eight years or about
aied TO this Collins line in one year. This is not
Just; and declare again that have right western
clzen living in that great valley which is washed and
preparations from the treasury for the purpose Of sus
tanning this line until full justice is done to section
oi .he county Sir there is not newspaper that we
receive from the West, nor breeze that blows from
the West and fans our cheeks but bears upon its wings
some account OF sad disasters of death and destuc-
tpn which have taken place upon our western waters
And yet to prevent all this the paltry appropriation OF
$3.50 is all that has been made in the space of eight
years From the same report to which have referred
have gained some interesting facts, which think should
have due consideration and weight In this body and
pecialy with senators who hail from the section OF
country that do By this appears that The number OF
vessels lost on the rivers OF the Ohio basin and the Mss
sppl valley, up TO the year 164S six hundred and
eighteen There were lost by collisions, forty live; by
fire, hundred and four and BY snags and other OBJ
sructions for which the government responsible four
hundred and sixty mine. The value OF the boats thus
lost was 81 ,7o 99 exclusive of explosions coapsng
OF fues &c and including them, the value of boats
cagoes Sl2 329makng the total losses on the
western waters up 10 1S4s, $i5,342, 800 The loss of
boats has been forty and half per cent of all that
have been built or, in other words out OF every hun
dred boats built to upon those waters and
hall have either exploded or been sunk beneath the
dark and turbid waters Of the Mississppi.
To come down little later, we find that the value of
the boats lost the mississippi and its tributaries in
ls49 was 81 $685. All that loss occurred in one year
asters there lost the western lakes and rivers the
amount of Sl,56S,l06. And again repeat, that to pro
iect the citizens OF the great growing West from those
losses which have been subject in their properly
and their ves there has been expended the sum OF only
S2s0000 within period Of eight years. which u.s. again
repeat but about third OF the amount which asked
to be appropriated Tor the Collins line OF steamers for
one year.
By that same report find that the number Of passen
gers carried annually by all the steamers belonging
TO the United States is 100, $685. and that the;number of
passengers carried in the ordinary inland lake and river
steamers OF the waters OF the Ohio, Mississippi and
their tributaries, is 3.7s2572 Now, is it not monsrous
unt iokc sum vi houcy Uc Sought 10 DC ap
popriaed 10 single line of steamers when the
whole number OF persons who need protection in ocean
Steamers on all lines, is only 100 ,000 and while there
are 37S2372 needing equal protection who are put of
with the poor pttance OF 2s0O00 for that purpose and
that amount given during period OF eight years
remarked when took the floor that had no inten.
lion OF making a speech but that | simply wished 10
stale the why could not, az a western man.
fully identified with all the interests OF that immense re-
yion OF country, give my vote for tins amendment II is
an old saying, as Just as s true, that Charity should
begin at home !" and when you have carried this maxim
into practical efect--when you have done full Justice al
home, full justice to the inleror-then you may, with
some sembance OF propriey, call upon assist you
lection TO that commerce. which is partly domestic and
partly foreign.
For these reasons cannot vote for the amendment
cannot vote against IT, because have consented 10
pair of with the senator from New Jersey, [Mr NIL
LER, and he IL not now present. Bat were al liberty
to vote, would vote against il most heartily am anx-
ious TO have this line eonnued-and trust have az
much Of national feeling regard this matter a. any
senator on this foorbu cannot yield up my OF
what is Just and of what due TO my own section OF
country to any feeling of national vanity or national
glory OF this sort.
Mr.. GHYER MIR. President, before the vote is taken
der existing circumstances Tee obliged to vote against
this amendment shall do sir moi because pariici.
pate in the sentiments expressed by the from Ohio
Mr. WADEl in reference to the question OF approprn
tons for the western rivers apprehend, sir that when
The votes OF senators and representatives shall be exam
ined il will be found that although portion OF those
from the eastern States have uniformly voted against
these appropriations. still there are great number who
have always voted for them and il any blame is TO be