The daily union., 1852-08-13

upon which hospital has been erected The Object OF
the committee in desiring TO make this exchange is TO
convert this hospital now belonging 10 the city OF Mem
phis into marine hospital, the property OF the United
States ! submit the report, with the accompanying bill
pon the subject; and have made this statement al the
request OF the gentleman who usually sits behind me-
[Mr. JONES, OF Tennessee,l and who is very anxious
that the Senate should consider ihe bill at This time and
pass II.
Memphis, certain conditions, then read and
passed TO second reading.
Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. | will ask the Senate that
this bill may be considered at this time. Ii is very
simple bill, and certainly very much 10 the interest
OF the government | do moi know whether the corpo-
ration OF Memphis will accept the proposition but de-
sire 10 give them oppoIuniiy OF dong The cir
cumsances these The government of the United
States about ten OF ground within the limits
OF the city OF Memphis, upon which arsenal was
built many years ago. which long ceased TO be used
at all by the government. The houses which were
erected upon that site going TO decay, and the prop
ery has become useless TO the government for the puI
poses for which II was originally designed.
The PRESIDENT The senator will have 10 suspend
his remarks untl The Senate determine TO give the bill
second reading al this time
Unanimous consent being given, the bill was then read
second time, and considered as in commliee OF the
whole.
Mr.. JONES, of tennessee | was going to explain,
Mr.. President as briefly might be able 10 do So the
circumstances connected with this proposition. The gov
eminent owns ten acres OF ground within the limits OF
Memphis and the corporation of the city of Memphis
own about an equal quantity Of ground n the vicinity Of
the ground owned by this government Upon the ground
owned by the corporation they have erected large hos
pal. The government you aware, has no hos
po q that both he Sae an
by the corporate authorities. This ground within the lin
lis OF the city have thought 10 be improper loca
ton for hospital being somewhat in the heart OF the
city The property owned by the government there has
been estimated TO be worth from ten to fifteen thousand
dollars. although my opinion is that ten thousand
dollars is the utmost at which II should he valued The
property owned by the city is worth thirty, forty, per-
haps fifty thousand dollars; and the proposition is that
the government shall transfer 10 The corporation the pub
lie property within its limits upon condition that the
poaton will cede TO the government tor the purpose OF
marine hospital their ground upon which hospital is
already erected do not know that the corporation OF
The city will accept thai proposlon but as said before,
wish to give them opportunity OF doing be-
eve that by SO doing they will promote the public and
national interest," without detrment to the interest OF the
coporaton for heavily taxed for the purpose of
sustaining the sick that are thrown upon hands.
Having marine hospital within two hundred miles Of
us, taxes from that source enormous. We ask
the government to take that hospital. it the corporation
is willing to cede it, and convert it into marine hos
Mr.. SHIELDS Do understand that an arsenal is
located upon this land belonging 10 the United s'aes
| Mr.. SHIELDS. Then il must consequently be under
the direction and control OF the War Department.
There is general law authorizing the War Department
all cases OF this kind TO dispose of property of that
character when the property becomes useless for the
public service, That law s now in force, and have
myself introduced amendment during the present SEES
aware what committee reported this bill
Mr.. UNDERWOOD, (In his seat.) The Committee
Mr.. SHIELDS. But ii is always usual in cases Of
this kind 10 consult with the proper department., and
ascertain whether it is essential the interest of the
public service 10 keep the property, whether may
| Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee. II the honorable senator
will permit me TO explain, will slate that that very
thing has been done Some months ago, the Secretary
of War ordered the sale OF this ground being useless
to the government The property was advertised for
sale, but before the day OF sale arrived this proposition
was submitted to the Senate, and il consequently
Withdrawn by the Secretary. He has been wrIlten to
by the committee the subject and his response is
before the committee, in which he goes to say that
The properly is useless to The government 70, the purpose
been made OF by The government for the last ten
fifteen years.
Mr.. SHIELDS. That may be true. bu, it seems 10 me
this R taking very unusual course Every other prop
oslion ol this knd has gone before the Committee
Military Affairs. do not make this suggestion because
want the trouble OF investigating the maiiet-far from
IT but think we ought 10 consult the proper depart
ment TO ascertain whether arsenal is needed al thai
point, before proceed 10 act upon such proposition
as that do not know much with respect to the hos
| pals along The Mississippi river but this do know
that arsenal 10 essentially necessary in that portion
OF the country and, sir, about 10 purchase land
in various paris OF the country in order 10 have arsena
al desirable polntsone 10 control the Mississippi river
another The Gulf, another for the Southern Atlantic
another for the Northern Atlantic, another for the Pa
cfc, &c. | wish, as chairman OF that committee, ic
L
The War Department upon this subject, in order to
certain whether there is any other point upon the Mis-
sssippi river where arsenal be located 10 adyan
ia3e II there be better one am willing 10 yield this
and shall raise no opposition 10 this bill but as II
stands now, sir know nothing OF the facts. do know
however, and every man knows, that an arsenal ne
cessary in that portion OF the country, somewhere viii
that the bill be referred TO the Committee Mill
tary Affairs.
Mr.. BoRLAND will not enter into an argument
with my honorable friend from Illinois Mr. SHIEIDs AZ
10 what should have been the proper reference OF ih
subject, in the first instance. think, with him. that
would have been the most proper reference have haC
the subject sent 10 the Committee Military Affairs but
MIR President under the circumstances do not any
proprely necessity for making that reference
different direction given TO the petition and IL
sent to the Committee on Public Lands; and il seems tc
me that under the circumstances they have made very
proper report the subect-paricu from the fac
that this arsenal, called, at Memphis has not beer
used as military post for many years Indeed, II
was used arsenal II was built there many yean
ago. but found not to be necessary for government
purposes; and some ten years ago or more, perhaps
has been used since IL never has been used b.
the government at all, from the time OF lis original
sructIon TO the present day, military site. Being
resident OF that place al the time, drew up applca
ton for Individual who desired the OF the building
for the establishment OF school and II used fol
whatever. Such was the opinion OF the War Depart
ment upon the subject that in the exercise of that powe
10 which the has referred il offered for sale
bat upon the proposition heng suggested that arrange
ment equally benthcia more beneficial, 10 the govern
ment, and the time beneficial 10 the city o.
Memphis could be made by this exchange that order TO
the sale withdrawn, and the matter was allowed Il
remain until could be ascertaned whether this proposes
arrangement could be effected For these reasons, al
these facts being known, and in order to present such