The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-04

the sehatoF from Maryland speak OF thus POINT resolution
as soenng the harshness OF the original bill. Sir,
contend that there is no harshness in the original bill
suppose that there Is barrier erected by II between the
narrow selfish interest OF capitalists engaged in steam
boating and the security OF The lives OF the men, women
aud children who compelled to travel steamboats,
II that be haIshness, the bill is harsh-not Otherwise
had my own eholce would not grant one hours ex
tension but defer 10 the Judgment OF the senator
from Massachusetts, than to any else upon this sub
ec because know that for the last year he has
devoted hmself 10 it with fidelity an esness and
energy which have seen equaed in The legis
ation of this body and which, the from Tex
well said, reflect the highest credit upon his head and
upon his heart, and for which OF the repre- senia
tves of the valley Of the Mississippi, tender him the
gratitude Of the people OF the whole OF that vast region
Mr.. DAVIS VIII the honorable senator allow me 10
make remark at this time II!
Mr.. BORLAND. Ihave but word or two further TO
say repeat, that if had followed by opinions on
this subject should have been against any extension
whatever But the respect which entertain for the
Judgment and opinions of the honorable senator from
Massachusetts Mr DAvs upon this subject induced me
to yield 10 this extension the first OF June next that
honorable senator recommends ! did 80, however. Tor
no other reason have doubts about the policy OF this
extension even for that length OF time, but yield those
doubts the better judgment OF the honorable senator
from Massachusetts, and consent to the extension ne pro-
poses
Mr. DAVIS. | wish to state thing in justice TO
myself, and which should have mentioned when was
up before Ii is this il necessary in order to carry
this law into effect that the government should make the
pumps necessary the strength of the boilers TO be
employed and they also undertook make fusbe alloy
preparation OF that sort. The government has
omitted to do all that is necessary so as TO enable them TO
these boilers al the time this law went INTO effect
upon the first OF January last there has been some fault
upon the part OF the government else from some cause
or o,hsr-l do not know exactly what is--.hey have
omitted to do it, So far these resolutions go they are
intended to remedy the difficulties thus resulting.
Mr.. BORLAND. Then, l understand the honorable
senator from could not hear his remarks
distinctly in reference TO the residual il is now intended
suspend this law in these particulars but not to exempt
steamboat owners from the operation OF this law In all
those respects wherein they have been unable TO make
provision.
Mr. DAVIS. will state to the honorable senator.
and to the Senate, the effect OF the provisions now pro-
posed. Early in January last we passed Joint resolu
ton authorizing inspectors where boats had not been put
prepaation and that want Of preparation had resulted
from fault on the part OF the owners TO extend the
time for that preparation where was needed Tor sixty
days Ii is proposed to give the same power to the
inspectors in those where the boats have not been put
in state OF preparation to conform to the law II the IN
specors satisfied il Is account OF no fault on the
part of the of the boats, to give them until the
first of June in which TO do So.
There is also another difficulty in regard TO this law.
In that Congress required the boiler iron 10 be stamped
by the manufacturers, and that none other than that
which should be stamped should be used believe
it has been but few days since the Secretary Of the
Treasury issued his orders directing how this stamping
should be done There is, therefore, provision IN these
resolutions authorizing inspectors to receive boiler iron
without this stamp, provided the owners OF the boats
could obtain the stamped boiler iron suppose there
will be many boilers Of that description and there ought
TO be some relief granted in that particular.
has been found that difficulty has been experienced in
ob aiming metallic llfe-boas II seems that they are not
made pleniully as TO be readily obtained in the
market This provision requires these lifeboals to be
of metal where they be obtained reasonably and upon
reasonable terms the OF steamboats,. But where
such is not the case or where the navigation IS such
as render such life boat unsuitable, power Is given
the inspectors TO dispense with that kind OF boat and
to accept substitute in lieu OF IT,
There is then further provision where exemption is
allowed in the of what called excursion par
ties" which believe take place more or less IN every
part OF the country-whee the excursion does not ex-
coed thirty miles. The inspector may in such cases
dispense with the fnlhment OF that provision OF the law
which requires e-boats and preserveIs according TO the
number OF passengers TO such an extent as he may deem
fit and exped ent; and he may also dispense with the
registering of the passengers in such cases OF excu-
slons.
Mr.. BoRLAND I wish 10 call the attention of the
Senate TO thing and that IS, that think The record
of steamboat accidents will show lar greater proportion
ia the OF these pleasure excursions OF which the
honorable senator from Massachusetts, speaks than IN
| any other service performed by steamboats,,
Mr.. BADGER. That is the fact
| Mr.. BORLAND. These pleasure excursions are COM
Paratvey few in number, but the accidents which have
then occurred have been startling in the extreme and
nothing is common than TO hear OF one OF these
excursions terminating in horrible accident IN which
the sacrifice OF human life has been terrible la my
opinion IN proportion TO their NUMBER these pleasure ex-
| cursoDs are the most dangerous.
| Mr.. DAVIS. There is provision more IN these
resolutions which will explain II has been said that
OF these inspectors intend be interested
patent right oil these epreservers ie-boats, aud things
OF thai sort have incorporated provision here declaring
that such interest," direct indirect IN patented arti-
Gle required by this law to be used upon steamers shall
be disqualification for the office OF inspector That is
the whole effect of these resolutions II the provision
in regard 10 excursions deemed an Objectionable one
| shall not insist upon II.
| Mr.. BoRLAND. | hope that provision may be stricken
out
| Mr. PEARCE In saying wha, | did few moments
since meant reflection upon the committee who re-
ported the bill in regard TO steamboats,. spoke OF what
considered to be the harsher features OF that bill
ms aH ord in
who interested in steamboats, certainly had no
idea OF rejecting in the slightest degree upon those who
prepared that law. There certain PROVISIONS oil that
law which burdensome upon steamboat owners
than other provisions and those provisions charac-
teuzed the barsher provisions OF the law, and SAID
that they would be somewhat soiiened IN their opera
ton by the resolutions brought before this Senate
by the honorable senator from Massachusetts.
Now, sir, the loss of life upon some OF our western
waters has been know, very great But there are other
parts OF the country where such hing as steamboat
accident has scarcely been known. An explosion oil a
steamboat boiler has been known upon the Cbesa-
peake bay except In two instances, one OF which occurred
than thirty years since in the very infancy Of steam
boat gaon, and the other in the OF the trial
of steamboat 10 which case believe the boiler poded
upon the first revolution of the wheel Except in these
two cases. accident OF the kind has ever occurred up
on the waters of the Chesapeake. Now, IL the honor
able senator from Massachusetts thinks that the object OF
these propretors OF steamboats,, who are memorlaning
Congress upon this subject 10 10 defer the operation OF
this law until alter the next session oil Congress- Tor the
purpose OF agtatng its repeal that may into
operation ready TO Join with him IN hwarng them.
And II Congress does not intend TO repudiate It's own
legislation, will be perfectly proper TO extend the time
Tor the operation OF this law until the st OF September
October next-iwo three months before the next