The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-04
HE UNION. WASHINGTON FRIDAY MORNING. MARCH A. 1858

lakes that the only time when the test can be alf
liz made. Navigation upon The lakes closes 10 great
extent by the first OF November, and that will therefore
leave but tour weeks during which the new machinery
required by this law be tested, and which VIII not
even IN the estimation OF the owners and manufacturers
of steamboats, be deemed sufficient hope this amend
ment will not be agreed TO.
concur ia the position taken by the honorable sena-
tor iroln Arkansas Mr. BoRLAHDl II have any oo-
lection 10 these propositions OF the honorable senator
from Massachusetts, il is that any postponemeht OF we
operations OF the act which we have passed Is mace ~
any extent. believe that those Interested have hau
ample line TO put themselves in state OF complete prep
afaon 10 comply with the provisions al thal law lucy
might have occupied themselves during this winter "a
doing so, II Ii have restricted them III
the purchase of fe-boas and life preservers 10 patented
articles in the hands OF monopoly then that is mis-
fortune, and how that misfortune was imposed upon 'he
Senate and the country cannot tell. should ike 10
know, il it be so. how it TO pass This provls-
ion IN these resolutions, however, relieves them IRON
that restriction. II throws open to the owners oil boas
an opportunity TO purchase lie boats and epesefvers
wherever they get them OF proper and safe char
acter. With this latitude given 10 the former law II
seems TO me all is provided for that is necessary lwll,
however accord to the proposition OF The senator from
Massachusetts, but must emphatcay disagree TO The
lime for the extension proposed by the senator from
Maryland.
Mi PRATT The great difficulty il seems to me. in
legisating properly upon this subject 10 the extent OF
territory which the law is 10 operate and the va.
rety Of interests to be affected by it, Now the facts de.
tailed by my colleague MIR PEARcE] manfesly show to
the Senate that this law is OF consequences TO the peo
pie who interested in steamboat navigation upon the
Chesapeake bay and It's vicinity They DO not feel lha
necessity for this legislation that is felt by those interest
ed IN the steamboat navigation upon our western waters
In thirty years time, as my colleague has slated, Dul
two accidents have occurred upon the Chesapeake bay
from steam boiler explosions. There has been, in iact
less loss OF human lie resulting from this kind OF trav,
cling than from any other far the Stale represented
by my colleague and myself is concerned. Then, why
should the people owning these vast interests In our
section OF country be incommoded, be restricted be m
ured by law OF to them, OF no use TO our peo
ple and which people do desire 1t is necessary
pbp
OF navigation upon our western waters, and am will
ling that you should pass any law which the representa-
yves OF that section OF our country may desire. pu'
such aws not asked for by the people OF Maryland,
and so lar as know il is no, asked Tor by the people OF
Pennsylvania. therefore say that you are impo
sing an unnecessary restriction upon this species OF
navigation within those States where the people do not
feel Interested in it, and do not desire such law, AMI
where the facts show that necessity has existed foI
such law from The commencement OF steamboat navl-
cation TO the present time.
hope that at any rate we will have conceded TO us
the amendment proposed by my colleague, to place DC
tober in lieu OF June in these esShtons would mn.
nely prefer that the State which represent should be
exempted entirely from the operation OF this law. II mat
should not be accorded to ask that at least you w
permit this great and impoantnerest to have until Inc
first OF October for the purpose OF making preparations
to carry this law into effect
Mr.. BADGER. | should be very reluctant to see the
amendment of my honorable friend from Maryland Mr.
PEARcE made to these resolutions Indeed, should not
be willing to any further time at all allowed but Tor
the Difference which think is due in relation to such
senator from Massachusetts, [Mr DAVIS Beyond that,
in my judgment, ought not to go one day, nor even
hour. think my honorable friend from Nassachu-
sets has been exceedingly liberal in allowing these gen
tlemen interested in the ownership and conducting OF
steam vessels three months longer OF unlimited power 10
the destruction OF human life. think II Is as little az
do to say, that whereas have lett the waters
of the United States entirely under the direction and
control OF the facturers and owners OF steam ves-
sells, who obliged to consider nothing but their own
Interests, until the first of June next from and after that
sidered worthy of attention and respect upon the part
OF this government II II were possible to do II without
surIenderng the whole syslem II would not appear 10
be odous and wrong 10 have one system OF regulation
prevailing portion OF the United States, and another
system prevailing in another portionl would yield 70
the suggestion OF the honorable senator from Mary
Mr. PRATTl and agree strike out his State from the
operation of this law Bat there strong aud over
wheming considerations and objections to having difer
ent systems of regulations applying TO different portions
of the United States But the steamboat owners mus
subject themselves to the inconvenience IT inconveoI
be, OF doing what, If not necessary in one portion
OF county, is at all events necessary upon our west
waters and upon the lakes. hope therefore, we
will not extend the lime hour beyond that originally
proposed by these resolutions.
Mr. BORLAND. The honorable senator from Mary
land Mr. PEARcE proposes that the time Tor this law &c
20 alo operation be extended TO the first of October nex
and he take the basis of bis proposition the
that accidents of this kind have happened within
the limits OF his Stale. LAE
Mr.. PEARCE. If the honorable senator will allow
me, will say that he is entirely mistaken ! did no
\
made the statement in reply TO what the honorable ssna
from Texas Mr. RusK said in regard to the waste
human life recently having been greatly diminished BY
the operation OF this law
4 Mr. BORLAND. The senator seemed TO apprehenc
no dangerous consequences from the extension OF thu
time TO the first OF October next, as proposed BY his
amendment And IL seemed to me that the basis OF hs
proposltion-for could other application OF Ia,
saiementwas that his State had heretofore been exempt
from accidents OF this kind and from that fact he APP
peaed TO infer that accidents not likely To happen
in future Now If that be the actand the two honora.
bic senators from Maryland seemed TO be assured thai
1t soand there 10 perfect safety this matter, as Tar
their State concerned, would suggest 10 them that
10 coDneYon with the proposed amendment, provision
be inserted exemptng their State from the opera
ton OF this law. But do protest, in the name OF nay
constituents and the people in the great valley OF the
Mississippi where these accidents do occur, and where
believe the provisions OF this bill necessary to
their in future do protest that there
shall be further extension than that proposed by the
honorable senator from Massachusetts,.
Ii is said that the OF steamboats, complain that
this law operates hardly upon them. Now, received
answer in reply TO nterroga,ory propounded 10 a
intelligent and worthy steamboa captain in my por
ton OF the country was coming IRON home last tall
that struck with great force. met HIM AT the mouth
Of the Arkansas river where he engaged IN fitting
up his boat Tor the trades and having great confidence
in his judgment in reference to this matter and in his
al worth, appealed TO him 10 know wha, his opn-
ion, and what was the sentiment oil steamboat, men
generally relation to this law and its operation told
him that it probable, from representations that bad
come TO my knowledge, that an attempt would be made
at this session OF Congress TO modify this law, dc
something lessen the effect OF its operations His an
swer was-l have ade extensive inquiries; have ex.
amined the s15ject well as could. and my opinion is
that there is not good in the seamboatng business
who is not in favor of IT, To my mind that answer
perfectly satisfactory as far as that portion OF The country