The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-07-15
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEFERRED DEBATE.
MONDAY, JULY ~, 1852.
SENATE.


special order of the daybeing the bill amend act
entitled "An act TO provide for the better security OF the
lives OF passengers board oil vessels propelled in
whole or ia part by steam"
The question pending was on the Senates concurring
in the amendment made in committee OF the whole 10
insert additional section 10 the bi proposed by Mr.
GEYER the section being No AZ as ransposel.
The amendment was concurred in.
The remaining sections added 10 the bill in committee
were concurrcl in without debate.
The PRESIDENT. There is an amendment that was
passed over Section 90 was amended when under con-
sideraon, and was then passed over.
The section AS amended was then read whereupon
Mr.. GEYER said that, al the request Of the senator
from Massachusetts, he would propose 10 amend the
ion by striking out The words :. during voyage, and
while such vessel il receiving freight passengers
The eject of il would be TO require The certificates TO be
kept up al all times. instead of heDg limited 10 the times
specified s-s1-ss -, '-sA
MIR. GEYER have another amendment TO the same
section IL now reads, any such steamer not having
certificate OF approval required by this act and Ger,
tilted copy thereof, aud kept aforesaid, - shall
forfeit" &c The act itself provides that vessel shall
not be navigaed wnhoua certificate, propose 10 mod
iy il SO as to require only the copy 10 be kept up, by
having II read as follows;
"And ifany person shall receive carry any passenger
on board such steamer not having certified copy OF The
certificate OF approval as required by this act and cer.
fed copy thereof, placed and kept as aoresaid,"Nc.
The amendment was agreed to.
Mr. DAVIS. On looking this bill, was rather
surprised 10 find an omission which thought was sup
piled. The intention is tina, this bill shall not apply 10
The pubc vessels OF the Unled Stales, vessels
coming from foreign country. will therefore
to insert an additional section, to come in alter Sec
ton Al
bill, or one offered for ihe first time
Mr.. DAVIS. II is an amendment now first moved.
"Seo. And be it further enacted, That this shall
not apply to public vessels OF The United States, vessels
oil other countries"
The amendment was agreed TO.
Mr.. D. fur,her proposed 10 amend section s. Cd di.
vision, by striking on, "such" and inserting 'a !" SO
that it would read "inspec the boilers OF oil steamers;
Also, TO amend The section, sth division, by in.
sertng the words "ior year !; that II would read
"wi,hin the limits prescribed in the Certificate for
gear :" which agreed 10.
Also TO amend section Is, by inserting after The words
travelling expenses" the following:
And the actual reasonable expenses both to them and
other inspectors OF transporting from place to place tue
instruments used in inspections"
1t was intended simply 10 cover the little expenses
tGa might be necessary IN transporting The instruments 10
make lest trials from place to place.
The amendment was agreed to.
Also, TO amend section 81, by inserting leach /" SO
thai shall read nspectos OF The following district
shall sdat," SC; which agreed 10.
Mr.. HALE have amendment to propose in
on A. by striking out and inserting certain words that,
when amended. the section will reads
THAT every sch vessel carrying passengers shall have
least boats supplied with oars, good condition
all times for ersce and ia all specrs good, substantial
aud ssie seaboat, capable OF sustaining inside and
side ff y persons each"
II is done 10 avoid what understand 70 he the eject OF
The blthat IL, 10 compel everybody TO buy "Francss
metallic llie'boals" The question was suggested the
other day by the honorable senator from Pennsy vana
Mr. BRoDHEAD The honorable senator from Masses
chusetts tM DAvIs says that it is not the intention
compel the owners OF steamboats, 10 buy these e-bosis
but is well enough known 10 all that when the courts
come 10 consue this act, alter II becomes law, they
will not ask what the senators who have charge oi the
bill meant, but what the bill itself meant. Now, IN
dersand that there is but metallic life boat known
IN the couny and understand fuTiher-and II am in
error in this, would like 10 be informed about ittiai
this metallic life boat is patented article, known per-
iecily well "Francss metallic eboai," and thai It's
model and size, 10 length, depth, and width,
pond exactly, TO foot and inch, with what pre-.
breadth OF the boats with which the STEAMBOATS, are 10 be
suppied-tha is they are 10 be twenty-five feet long,
six feet six inches wide, and two feet deep ! do not
know that the information have IS correct but am
told by those who profess 10 know that that description
covers exactly francls's metallic Hie.boat" II the bill
IS amended as propose, then that which is compulsory
upon the steamboat buy this patent life boat
will be left out and they will be at liberty to purchase
the best boats that be bought for The purpose and
II there is nothing else provided in the bill that may be
left the discretion OF the inspectors provided for in an
other part OF the bill.
an told. further, by gentlemen who have some
practical know ledge upon this subject who have been
specially consulted about the particulars that to be
put into The bill, that The size OF these boats would be
very nconvenieni 10 some steamboats, in waters
thai not rivers-ihai is, that there
boats navigating small bays and nes OF large bodies OF
that would instead OF being benefited and made
sale By having such boats, be actually ncommoded
hindered, and obsirucied. The bill, you will see
sort OF provision that the e-boat shall bear any
proportion TO the length OF The steamboat but no
Ter how small IL is, it must have metallic life. boat
feet long, six feet six inches wide, and two
feet deer IL is thai object TO and this amendment
brings up the whole question whether the Senate will
compel all steamboats, the United States 10 purchase
this boat Before the Senate adopts that prnepleand IL
strikes that the bill Is Obnoxious and liable TO this OBJ
lection nowI think with all dcefence to the Senate,
that they bad better advise then selves little more as
regards what is and what constitutes a safe and reliable
life boat and not compel the whole country TO be under
the necessity OF purchasing this "Fanciss lie boat be-
fore they know what IT is. III am not mlsinformed, II
Is the opinion OF OF the practical IN the
country that this is e-b boat at alllha without other
sccompanments equipments, and accoutremens, II is
not safe boat, and cannot be relied upon. | men
ton one single diyidual, whose name | suppose is
known 10 great many members OF the Senate, as sus-
tanning that opinion. Captain Forbes, | understand,
gives that as his opinion. The amendment which move
raises this question.
Mr.. DAVIS Mr. President, the remarks OF the SEN
PLANTATION. Think II the honorable senator would have
little faith in those who have examined the sub
ect, and be little less influenced by the speculaons
made IN the LOBBY, he would be likely TO reach
rect and sound views. Now, take il 10 be a matter
thai il clear that The making OF hie.b boat which SHALL
in every OF the word, be good and sufficient life
boat Infringement OF the patent OF Mr. Francis
| have bad occasion 10 know, from various interviews
with that gentleman. and with the gentleman that have
no doubt IRON the remarks OF the senstor he has
suted with also, something about this matier | have
bey both are thai Congress should adopt patented
q haau