The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-18

without aGopung The resolution.
Mr. DAVIS | have but a word 10 say. rise SIMPLY
10 say that look upon this measure, which was adopted
in 1912, as an experiment Ana wllhout en'efng mo
the obligations OF the contract ana era OF na.
very well deal with this subject II beng an expert
mental contract if such progress has been made 10 The
matter as 10 satisfy the government that the experiment
will be failure then should be for putting end TO i
at once but without considerable compensation and
indemnify 10 Mr.. Stevens II the experiment has moi
been tried TO reach result which ushes that con-
clusionf there is good reason why the experiment
should be abandoned-l then think il ought 10 SO ON 10
its completion.
teman from Connecticut, Mr. ToUcEY that the time
has not only come but the lime has long since been heTe
when is the duty Of the government to take up ana con-
slider this matter Of the defence OF the country by means
of the agency OF steam think that for period Of thirty
years-and do not know but what mora shot and
shell proof floating battery has been esteemed an OBJECT
Of great importance in this country There have been
many devices and schemes 10 attain this end and this
object; there have been many things said IN regard TO H.
But without entering particularly into them, II rs manifest
to every OF observation that steam necessarily enters
into the detences OF this country as very important and
essential element. The agency OF steam coupled with
that OF the electric wires will almost necessarily work
out entire revolution in dafences OF every kind The
Of transmitting information with the facility OF
ocomotion must bring about result OF that description.
Now, my motive Tor sustaining in the first place the pres,
ent line OF steamers when they were brought forward
here not that wished 10 put them upon the ocean
traders but the leading sentiment in my mind was to
adopt system by which the people OF this country
should become thoroughly acquainted with the uses
of steam and the means OF employing II. thought then
think now--that we were behind many great CONNER
cal countries this particular And being ourselves one
of the largest commercial nations upon the earth, and
promising to be second to it seemed 10 me that
If this element important TO any country was 10
ours So it was when the Collins line came up; and
would have been very glad to have expressed my sen
mens upon that subject when was under consideration
but thought debated TO death as it was, and for
bore say anything When voted for that, and when
voted for the additional grant OF compensation pro-
ceeded upon The principle that we were thus acquiring
thad
security of this country, both in the and construction
OF machinery and in the construction OF vessels and VIII
hazard the opinion that in the simple point OF naval sruc-
tnre obtained enough by that grant, when by one step
we surpassed all other countries in the construction OF
ships, to compensate for what we paid tor It, And
would now drop thing like that a matter worthless
and unworthy the consideration of the country? No,
sir would go on with the experiment unl was larry
tried.
And in this matter also the same principle governs
say that there may be progress; say that there may be
useful results derived from experimenting, and say that
the only way in which attain that object is by ex
pertinent That experiment may fail; money may be LOST
that is a contingency by no improbable but sul
the end must be attained and know OF no other means
OF attaining it. wish attention turned to II; wish the
active minds OF enerprsng to be brought 10 consd-
the matter and TO mediate Ipon it, and that is the only
way TO attain the object we after Now, as ] have
nothing disclosed here which leads ne to suppose
that this contract has been suspended because OF the prob
able failure of the scheme OF this gentleman, am dis
posed 10 20 with it, although il may cost some money
TO do
| deem it important TO this great and extensive
country that should have the best and most efficient
means OF protecting and defending both the sea coast and
the lake coast Our security depends upon IT. The ex
tent and magnitude OF our Notifications depend upon it
This is SO closely connected with the deiences OF the
country that hardly measure the necessity OF for
tcaiions until discover the extent of the practical
of this power Under these circumstances am quite
willing 10 vote for this measure regret that the main
object should have been frustrated from time 10 Tune
Still am not disposed 10 cast reproach upon any
| am rather disposed to think that the gentlemen who
suspended the contract did il for what they believed 10
be justihabe reasons, and imperative at that time But
surely Their opinions, founded upon ideas OF that sor
need not influence here We al liberty 10 proceed
and act upon the subject according to the best OF our udg
ment and understanding hope that The resolution will
Mr. UNDERWOOD / should he glad If some gentle
man could inform how much money has already
been expended in The prosecution oil this contract and
how much more il will require 10 fulfil the contract or
whether there is any mode OF ascertaRing what has
been expended, and what will be required.
No amendment being offered, the joint resolution was
reported 10 the Senate.
Mr. CHASE. | should be very glad 10 have this
oluon laid over The Senate is quite thin, and should
like to look into it further. that its further
sderation be postponed until Tomorrow.
Mr. STOCKTON. hope the gentleman from Ohio
will reconsider that wish OF mis- expect 10 leave the
city for short time, and should be glad 10 have the
question taken to-day II has been hanging on now for
the last two months.
Mr.. CHASE AS the resolution must necessarily 20
over upon lis third reading, will withdraw the PROPOSE
ton TO postpone
The question being taken upon ordering the resolution
10 De enBfOSseu LOT mira IL was agreed To-
ayes &C. noes not counted.
The resolution, having been engrossed, was subse.
quently read third time and passed.
HcENDIARlSM.
On motion by Mr.. BUTLER, the Senate proceeded, as
in committee OF the whole TO consider the bill N r.
2l) 10 amend an act entitled " An act for the punish
ment Of crimes in the District OF Columbia"
Mr. B. moved, as amendment 10 the bill, to strike
out the words set FIRE with intent to burn, or burn any
house or clubhouse in the District OF Columbia whereby
any other person persons, body polite corporate,
shall suffer loss or injury although the said house
house shall not at the time OF such setting fire be
cuped dwelling, store, warehouse, for any other
purpose" and TO insert in place thereof the following
"And with intent to injure defraud any other person
persons or body polite corporate, bum, fire
with intent To burn attempt fire burn any
house or clubhouse IN the District OF Columbia though the
sad house clubhouse shall the time of such burn
Ing setting fire, attempting fire or burs
Joining any dwelling house. be occupied used fo
any purpose whatever"
will read the clause in the act which it is proposed TO
amend 50 that may be done ntelgenuy. 1t is that for
the punishment of arson, and is as follows
dnd BE- IL further enacted, That every person duly con-
viced Of the crime Of malicousy, wfuly, audulenty
burning any dwelling house. any other house, barn.
stable adjoining thereto, soro barn, clubhouse
having goods tobacco, hay, grain thereinahongh the
same shall not be adjoining TO any dwelling house OF
naciously and wiliuy burning any Of the public build
iugs ia the cities towns Of the District Of Co
lunba belonging to the United States, tho said cities
towns, or counties church, meeting house, other
building Tor public worship belonging any voluntary
ciey, or body coporate college, academy school
being accessory thereto shall be sentenced 10 suffer
imprisonment and labor for period OF less than