The daily union., 1852-09-10

before tHdl uMts we can tHvu W. itb oH
consideration, amendment appears 10 be advisable 10
lhe lime, am most anxious that this oil should
pass il is evident thai something OF the kind Is essen
iial and appeal 10 lbe senator from Maryland Mr..
PRATr not to persist IN his opposition TO The concurrence
ia lhe ameDdmtn MS.
Mr. DAVIS | wish 10 say few words in reply 10
the senator from MarS land This bill has been long
time under the consideration OF the House of Represent
aves passed this body by agreat majority indicating
great unannliy; and II was passed because was
understood Thai there other interests than those OF
The steamboat owners concerned Ii very well
known what feelings many OF those persons entertained
this subec that they much preferred the law OF dis
cretion TO any enactment that Congress could makes that
they were desious OF having this subject entirely under
their CONTROL 10 60 IN what manner They pleased
with reckless disregard for human llie rather Than
have any legislation whatever lhe bill, ailer much
conside ration, went the House OF Representatives
many weeks ago, and II has been pursued thither
by some OF The steamboat gentlemen who. TO my Ger
tain knowledge, have been treated with the utmost
considerations and The greatest respect paid 10 their
wishes, SO lar as they were reasonable The con
sequence is. that the character and tone OF the bill
have been so much lowered by amendments adopted
by the House OF Representatives that il has lost much OF
s efficiency, and fear il will not answer the purpose
for which il was designed. II is not sufficiently srn
gent il has been returned TO for the protection Of
life and property. The foundations OF the bill have not
been disturbed, 1t IS true, but the terms have been
altered, and the tone abaled TO such degree as
very much to impair, IN my Judgment, It's useful
character. That change has been made conces-
sion 10 those interests which The senator from Mary
land Mr.. PRATTl represents. Yet aer all these con-
emonstrans no more disposed to accept the bill now
than they at first. The more conslderae are will
ling 10 accept il; bui there are some-l hope not many
utterly opposed to in every shape and appear to desire
law but the law OF discretion which is the right to
expose lie 10 imminent peril and often to destruction IL
The Senate is willing 10 permit such state OF things 10
exist, be il So My own opinion Is that we had better
adopt the bill as 1t came from the House OF Representa-
tives and as does not take effect until next March, we
can amend il during The approaching session OF Con-
gress, il should appear to be too srngentIn regard 10
the property OF steamboat owners. t
In this connexon will say, In justice TO the commit
of the Senate and of the House OF Repesen aves
thai every step, and under all circumstances they paid
the scrupulous regard 10 the rights OF property This
point never lost sight OF for moment, and some OF
the provisions complained of adopted 10 relieve
property from burdens far possible. The various
forms IN which boats and machinery are constructed make
large discretion in the inspectors necessary to meet
each case, and to prevent sacrifice OF property by the
exercise OF sound discretion conforming 10 the crcum-
stances which exist. Most OF the owners OF steam ton
nag have behaved with becoming beraily, while some
have been governed by views peculiar 10 themselves.
Forgetting that law cannot be made Tor individuals,
but must be general, they require impossibtys by
urging upon Congress to make law for The reckless,
while it must not extend 10 the prudent In my opinion
the prudent have nothing fear from this act Tey
tmid without cause and not sufficiently mindful OF
the terrible disasters which frequently occur. II is but
few days since seventy persons perished by drowning
while the bow OF the boat Henry Clay rested upon The
shore Such were the disastrous consequences Tor the
want oil suitable means TO extnguish hre Snch painful
occurrences have been frequent as to fill the public
mind with deep sensibily. and there is almost univer
sal demand for greater security. None but boat-owners
oppose such step, and very large majority OF Ibis
class believed 10 be heartily favor OF legislation.
Now is the time-now The favorable moment. Many
have come here 10 help law along, and we should not
send them away dlshearlened.
Mr. PRATT Allow me 10 make a suggestion Tor the
purpose OF saving lime understand that the bill is to
20 into operation in the month OF March. II has been
acted by the House OF Representatives; and suppose
laai be laid upon the table, under The rules when
meet again IN Decembcr-ihree months before II
takes effective can take il up and we shall then have
sufficient time 10 consider and act upon the amendments
o the House o Representatives. ask the senator from
Massachusetts whether he does not think that the public
interest will be better promoted by taking hs course
than BY hnfyins on the action OF the Senate nowt We
present pressed for time, and II impossible that
give all the appointments due coDsde ration; the
adoption OF them, without reading evsn Is course that
an strongly opposed to- Since we a'e informed that
the bill will have the edec OF destroying the >ieambOa
interest III California well as in Mary land think that
the suggestion is entitled consideration from the
from Massachusetts ieel indebted to the
tor Tor his kindness in permitting me TO interrupt him
while making the Suggestion
Mr. DAVIS. The proposition made by the gentleman
has been considered but IL supposed by some OF the
friends OF this bill that il still contains much OF good,
aud they OF opinion that this is The time TOR aellon
Those gentlemen who came here from the West. and
whose advice and assistance in framing the bill have been
OF much value, might not be able TO return al the
session. IL II should be permitted 10 die Tor the present
session. IL will then be placed in hopeless condition,
doabt what desire, but anxious 10 obtain the
good which the bill contains, and 10 the means
affords OF giving security life and property. Ii il
should appear that amendments desirable, il will be
easy obtain them hereafter 10 lake up the post
poned bill at future session.
Mr. HALE have not yet said anything respect.
ing this bill but understand that II is very important
one. have tie declarations o its friends for that opin
ion The senator from Texas, MIR. KUsK, believe,
stated that il was OF much importance any OF the
appropriation bills Well, there one hundred and
fifty amendments 10 II reported 10 us by the House OF
Representatives and we have Time 10 read, much less
to consider them Under these circumstances, think
there much force in the suggestion oil the from
ate, therefore, move pos sporement till The second
Tuesday in December. and that il be made the special
order Tor that day.
The PRESIDENT. The motion OF the senator from
New Hampshireis ia not strictly in order.
Mr. HALE. Then, move 10 lay il on the table, and
ask for the yeas and nays.
Mr. RUSK. | hope that the senator from New
Hampshire will withdraw bis motion 10 lay The bill on
the table.
Mr.. HALE. will do so II you will renew il.
Mr. RUSK. will do So
Mr. BADGER. | ask the senator from Texas 10 allow
me 10 call attention the rule upon this subject IL
very questionable whether this bill could be taken up AT
the next session OF Congress under the joint rule. The
rule rs this
"Ater six days from the commencement Of a second or
subsequent session Of Congress, all bills, resolutions
reports, which originated either house. and the close
either house, SHALL be resumed aud aoied in the
manner as u an adjournment had not taken place"
Now, think it is very questionable whether the rule
at the next session. Recoec that il is rule relaxing
The original embraces raapa