The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-15


pcatlon, TO single site The errorthe first, the great
est error in respect 10 the whole mater-was the diree
ton OF the act OF 1892, requiring the examination OF
particular site The Senate would commit greater
error by requiring the selection OF that site. prefer
leave the door open for the board to examine aud decide
upon The proper site for themselves.
Mr.. BORLAND. | was opposed 10 this proposition
before the committee, and desire 10 say word TO the
fesson of my opposition The difficulty in this about
the Blue Lick springs and military asylum originated
when this special eglsaton began in regard There
would have been difficulty II we had let the act alone
which we passed raising this board and making II their
duty examine the country and select three sites for mil
ary asylums They went on under the general author
ty which they had, and made selections OF two places
located the asyums and have expended the money neces
sary TO their establishment far But, sir, this did not
satisfy the views and interests OF certain property owners
in Kentucky. A gentleman there-l have nothing 10
say against him Tor Iespec,abiiy; apprehend he Is an
emnently respectable gentleman have understood So
had conceived few years ago the project OF estab
shing great watering place in Kentucky, AT Blue Lick
springs, and he had gone to work and expended II
and made large establishment and fashionable water
ing place, and, like great many others who enter into
specuatons OF that sort, made establishment the pat
tonage OF which has not paid any profit upon his invest
ment In other words, his speculation has failed Find
ing himself in this condition. with large amount OF
properly his hands that did NOT pay-I do not know
how lar he may have been embarrassed-he conceived
the idea OF coming 10 Congress and getting them TO take
OF bis hands at large price to save him from loss
| That is the origin OF this whole matter
Mr., UNDERWOOD, tinlerposing) Upon what data
does ths gehtlenan make his stalement ] am not ap-
priced OF that being The fac.
] Mr.. BORLAND The data are these That this state
of things actually existed in Kentucky is notorious. and
this gentleman got his project brought forward TO select
by express legislation the Blue Lick springs for Inc mil
ence am 10 draw This gentleman had gone on to i'm
prove property with view doubt OF making profit
abecertaDly with no other obect-and then. through
friends the measure WIS brought before Congress, and
special legislation adopted in order to enable him to
sell that property TO the government appfehend there
is no question about these facts
Well, sir, the effort successful TO certain extent
Not willing 10 let the selection OF site for an asylum in
Kentucky rest upon the ground that we did all the
rest, when we gave general authority 10 examine the
whole country, we fixed upon Black Lick springs, and
made II the Special duty Of the board TO go and examine
it. The board did examine it. What is the result :
The point examined not like hose which the commits
soners had discretion about not left at the Pce for
which they had money 10 pay for 1t but the very mo-
ment the act passed, selecting tina, above all others
the proprietor put his property up at price which ex
ceeded the OF the beard TO purchase And such
would have been the case if we had designated by a
special act any other point. The proprietor, knowing
that by The act OF Congress that wns TO be the point Sc
lecled, would put his own price upon IT, But II does not
This board, for reasons set forth, not in regular
port, but several opinions expressed by the members,
refuse 10 select. The senator from Tennessee Mr. oNEsl
says General Scott wrote equvocal letter do not
know what the senator considers equvOca letter He
did not read think, what General Scott sald but the
senator from Indiana did, and consider that very
quiYocal General Scott expressly tells you that he did
select that site because he did not think eligible he
tina, the proprietor asked money than ought TO be
paid for it, General Wool tells you-and on his opinion
great deal OF reliance should be pacedthat he found
other places which he Preferred as being more eligible
Doctor Lawson, il seems, approved of H. Then out OF
the three members OF the commission two decide against
it, and one OF them is the general-in-chief OF the army
OF the United States. And yet in the face oil that the
proposition is now made that we, without knowing
any thing about ii ourselves shall take it upon US TO de-
eide that the Blue Licks is the place. The resolution
made the duty OF the board TO examine the Blue Lcks,
and they did examine, but did not purchase Now, |
ask how, upon such grounds, we can adopt the amend
menl as to The military asylum, and say that the Blue
the action OF the Senate ! Only out of the three
commissioners approved OF the selection OF that site. The
others gave the best OF reasons why II should not be
selected that there are other places more egble and
which be bought cheaper.
i We have heard great deal about the peculiarly good
qualities OF the Blue Lick water do not know by actual
pertinent whether il is good not II has been consld-
cred in certain diseases But are we to take all inva
lid soldiers matter what may be their complaint, and
compel them TO use this water as remedy, whether
adapted TO their not Shall they be forced 10
drink Blue Lick water, whether their diseases require IT
Mr. UNDERWOOD There is plenty OF fresh water
there which they drink They have their choice.
/ Mr. BORLAND. | apprehend that the diseases under
which they labor will generally require no Blue Lick
water at all Most OF them being feeble, broken down
with diseases and wounds apprehend that this water
is about the last thing they would wan,,hat is, If am
correctly Informed 10 It's effect upon the human sys-
tenn They need onics sir, rather than such remedy
as the Blue Lick water. For these general reasons
cannot consent TO the adoption of the amendment
MIR. JONES' OF Tennessee. | will detain the Senate
but a few moments but hope they will bear with me
for il will be remembered by the Senate that have oc.
cuped little time in speaking any senator on the
floor | have exposed myself to the impuation to
which the from Indiana says he has exposed him
self home, from my constituents, By not speaking.
desire to correct few misapprehensons, and then
have done.
The senator from Arkansas says that stated that Gen
Scous letter is equivoca, and he does not think so
Now General Scott, in his report says THAT the local
ity not eligible in the sense OF preferable site
ask tie honorable ii that is not equvocal Bu
again he labors under this great misapprehenslon ht
seems think that the of the Blue Lick springs
have got into unfortunate speculation, and come here
for relief Even il that rae, 1t is no objection to the
proposition. The question submitted TO us s whether !
our interest and duty, the representatives. OF th'
government in this department al least TO make the Pur
chase or not and whether the owners OF the Blue
Lick springs bave made unfortunate speculation
or not, has nothing 70 do with the question. Bu,
take Tor granted that my friend from Arkansas does no
speak from the record II it has been unfortunate
speculation we have no evidence OF the fact.
Mr. BORLAND. II inference OF mine, be
cause when individual has invested his money 10 al
enterprise OF that Sort u not natural to suppose that
his realized and his enterprise successful
he would be seeking to get IL of his hands ,
MIR JONES, OF Tennessee. II | thought IT al all ne
cessary instructive TO the Senate could give al he
facts from personal knowledge, OF the motives which IN
duce the propretors 10 wish 10 cell and they are no
such the senator supposes although that may have hae
some influence But here is very important TACT MY
friend from Arkansas supposes that the owners OF ne
springs have come here for the purpose oi geung ou,
bad eculaton DO you not remember lnal lne regis
aue of Kentucky memoalized Congress upon TINS very
subject That is the way in which the question came
here believe il was unanimous memorial from the
/, r u al