The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-06-02

"a,
amendment would prove sufficient, and that this Secre
tary could thus put out upon such terms as would pro
vide for these objects without further expenditure
think therefore that shall vote for The amendment
Mr. WELLER confess that / was inclined TO OPP
pose this amendment when it FIRST submitted SIMPLY
for the that am inclined 10 suspect everything
which from the senator from Pennsy with re-
gard 10 the dry dock in California since the speech with
which he entertained the Senate some time ago. bull
sir If the government derive $4,000 year ior Inc
OF the dry dock and ii The merchant marine noains
upon the Pacific ocean the time be accommo-
dated, a matter OF course am willing that the propo
siuon should be adopted. Therefore, nolwiihslanl,ng
quarter relation 10 this dry dock am inclined 70 think
that this amendment ought to be adoptei and shall there
fore vote for IL
which escaped me when was up before. Unless money
is appropriated, unless the Secretary IS authorized %
make some arrangement Tor receiving lhe dock whch y
reaches California, il is likely that we shall be charged
with dcmuage and subjected TO great cost IN the way
so that apprehend it will be essential either 70 apprq
pirate money or TO pass some amendment such as ms
have estimate OF the amount OF money required and
therefore otter no amendment making an appropria
lion Tor this purpose.
Mr. RUSK Ii seems to me that we are acting prema-
turey and without the requisite information II has been
said that may make 50,000 year. IL IS mere sup
position. We do not know but that the government may
lose 100000 byit. There is no telling what may be
the result Some arrangement should be made 10 IN
sure the safety Of the dock,
Mr. WELLER, lin his seat) How can the govern
Mr. RUSK The dock nigh, be damaged. have no
hostility The amendment the contrary il strikes
me favoraby. But still would rather consult those who
know about than do, because the idea OF letting
the government property does not strike me favoaby
should be willing to allow the oi our dock to mer
chant ships under proper arrangements But II II lslet
Out by contract It would, IN my opinion, De suplec. az
least to the danger of damage At any rate have am
pie time 10 consult the Secretary OF he Navy and the
officers of the navy who understand the business much
better than do and can put an amendment OF ths sor
ii necessary. in the general appropriation bill ms is
overlooking the deficiency bill | understand thai we
shall not the expense oil The reception and care OF
this dock until next fall and shall have the naval appo-
priaon bill before 10 attend TO this mailer
should much rather that the Secretary OF the Navy or
officer oil the navy should be consulted IN order iha
we may have distinct understanding OF the best mode
to the safety OF the property oil the United States
Mr. HAMLIN. When the appropriation Tor the con-
sucton of the dock was originally made, the provision
which is in the law and which has been read by the
senator from North Carolina, either offered by my
self amendment or incorporated INTO the bill al my
particular suggestion by The committee who mad u 10
charge-I am not certain which II was the expenditure
OF large sum Of moneys and this was work which
would not all the time be in by the government
There very large commercial marine in that coun
try which desire taken Of There were oc-
casons when with slight repairs, our vessels could have
been home, and without those repairs It was mpos
sble for them to come round the Cape. do not under
stand the amendment thus incorporated into the orisna
appropriation being perpetual lease 10 these persons
anything of The kind do think that II we pass
the bill as il now stands that will be the result sup
pose 10 this extent, and further; and II seems
that the law may stand Just II is until some u
ture period when il shall be found that additional legls
laton is necessary. When the work shall have been
constructed before il shall have been accepted and after
it shall have been put in lis place, there may be com
mercal marine there which may need IT, Ii has not yet
been delivered the government; and the contractors
who have il in charge they shall be responsible TO the
government, may thus 1t but after II shall be acu-
ally delivered over 10 the government then the clause
will terminate. After that shall have taken place,
think will be the time for the government 10 make
permanent arrangement for its use by the commercial
marne under such provisions as may be necessary In
that view OF the while was disposed 10 favor the
amendment OF the senator from Pennsy lyanla think
that would better let the matter stand as il now ls
Mr. BADGER am sorry TO trouble the Senate again !;
bat | wish TO state that | have communication made
by the Secretary oil the Navy TO the Naval Commlttee
setting forth this whole subject at length commnnca-
uon OF some half dozen pages or more. The Secretary
considers that the authority gwen him under the aPpopra-
ton bill of 1850 is still in force and that he IS authorized
to make the arrangements contemplated by The bill but
Congress being in session. he preers II Congress VIII do
So that they shall direct him upon what terms ne sba
enter into arraugement-he being authorized by the
act oil 1850 10 enter into II upon such terms as ne may
deem proper Now sir, will suggest that there IS Sc
rous difficulty in the matter. H. IN the existing state OF
things in California, this dock shall be hired out to the
highest bidder he viii them o course, be at liberty TO use
il for the commercial marine upon just what terms be
peases; and he must necessary consequence, there
being bu, one dock the whole oil the coast-when this
hall have arrived there, for there is none nowhaye II
bis power TO exact just what prices he peases or rs
use and while he makes enormous prohts TO himself,
and oppresses the commercial marne the owners OF p
vate ships, he will be required to pay but a moderate
compensation to the government But II the arrange.
is made under this bill by the Secretary o The Navy
he then with propreiy and as part oil the terms OF
the arrangement 10 his department the power oil
controlling the charges which shall be made Tor ihe use
OF the dock for commercial vessels.
Mr.. HUNTER. Why eau he not do 50 under this
amendment
Mr. BADGER Because after putting 1t up TO the
highest bidder il as be chooses he could not with
proprely interfere with them.
MIR. HUNTER The amendment requires that the
contract shall be made the most advantageous terms
Mr. BADGER. The most advantageous terms for the
government. But after having leased the dock and
after they shall have paid for the use oil the dock
we cannot with proprely interfere with ihem Al all
events TO that there IS no pressing necessity
for acting upon the matter am sorry that have
msad the letter OF the Secretary OF the Navy TO which
have referred but having withdraw my amendment
the other day. and not supposng that the matter would
again come up, did not think II necessary to bring the
letter before the Senate.
Mr. BRODHEAD II seems TO me that there can be
no difficulty with regard to this matter The amendment
proposes TO confer upon the Secretary OF the Navy the
power to make such contract he may think most adj
mercia marne--it does not restrict him. The amend
very carefully drawn Ia order that me contract
may be made at the proper time, think 1t should be
adopted:
Mr.. MALLORY asked tor the reading OF tne amend
ment
The amendment was accordingly read
MIR. MALLORY. would suggest TO The honorable
senator from Pennsylvania that the dock may reach
California and there may be no PIER no basin there to
make the dock effective. Under this proposed contract
which the Secretary OF the Navy ~ authorized TO make
with individuals the individuals may erect such pier
will their purpose which ~, the repair OF the
commercial marne the vessels oil which average about
-. - tlx~ IL