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

Mr. RUSk. Mr.. President, the practical effects OF
this salutary measure have already shown themselves
Up 10 this time of the last session OF Congress think we
had Information OF at least I'VE hundred souls which had
been hurried into eternity by accidents steamboats,
Sir the fact is striking one, and repeat -up 10 this
time from the beginning OF the last session OF Congress
we had received Information OF hye hundred individuals
who had been destroyed by accidents on steamboats,
Now sir mark the significant difference III there has
been single of loss OF lie by steamboat accident
during the present session have not heard OF IT, III
there has been one, has escaped my notice This SIR
has been the result OF the caution observed, and The
preparations made TO comply with the law know that
there is large capital invested In steamboats,; and
also know that capital desires 10 prescribe the rule by
which il is to increase itself, and human life meets with
very little consideration when stands In the way OF the
gigantic strides of capital in its efforts TO increase itself
We have had petitions laid upon tables for the
tension of the time prescribed for the operation of the
law OF the last session. which represent that il impos
sbe for them TO procure the necessary life boats which
required by its provisions Why, sir, have that
there various manufacturers OF e-boats advertising
that they ready comply with all orders the cheap
est This cir not confined 10 manufacturer OF
life boats. Several manufacturers have circulated their
advertisements far and wide A New York manafac-
urer of life boats am Informed, has established
uiactory at Louisville, in Kentucky, and he has shown
me the orders which he has received, and the
Senate they meagre remarkably meage. in compar
son with the whole. Sir, II is the duty OF these men
and think il is their interest, tooo come forward in
good faith and comply with this law and think the
extension proposed BY the honorable senator from Massa
chGsetts amply sufficient have objection TO those
individuals who have capital invested in steamboats, ma
to divide among the stockholders; but | do object to
their making such profits by having unlimited license for
the destruction of human life. This bill checks that 1t
which is creditable to the head and TO the
heart OF the senator from Massachusetts think he
may sok upon the he pursued in the passage OF
this law the proudes action OF his life; Tor II throws
around helpless and children protection from de-
strucon, arising from the caelessness, the cupdly or
the drunkenness OF those who manage these dangerous
instruments ls :, Of n transit and OF commerce ;;1
MIR. HAMlN. Every senator will recoect that for the
last four five years Congress has been literally flooded
with memorials from every section OF tls Union, asking
for the passage of such law that which we did
pass last session. for the protection of life
think the senator from Michigan. MIR CAss, in his
able and eloquent often called the attention OF
the Senate to the necessity of such law. Accidents
that appalling in their character, and which seemed
to stac us even here in our places were presented
incentives to prompt, efficient, and faithful action The
Committee on Commerce did act, and reported bill cal
culaed to provide for the safety OF human e which
ceived the sanction OF majority OF both houses OF Con-
gess Now sir, comes the very period OF time when we
to say whether, legislators, we will carry out the
provisions of that, or some other good law, whether
those who directly interested owners of these
boats to come here and drive from propriety
That is the true issue, and il is the issue which 10 be
met and settled here Why, sir. read the memorials that
have been presented here at this session They pray for
the destruction OF this law and not for ITS poslponemen,
concur in every word that has fallen from the senator
from Texas; and if we to have law which is TO be
effective we should hold 10 the main features of this
until 1t shall be fairly tried Within the period which
will elapse between and the first of June, |
have doubt, the shall be DESTROYS to
ply with this law the community have Just right to
demand, there will not be the least trouble in the world
| Mr. 'PEARCE. Mr. President, the proposition sub
mtied by the honorable senator from Massachusetts, is
undoubtedly very much calculated to soften what may
be called the harsher features Of this law should my
self have been disposed to acquesce entirely in this
measure of HIS sufficient relief 10 the parties inter-
esed but have been solicited by many OF them, who
urged it very strongly, to ask that the extension of time
which he has agreed TO grant, shall be made still longer
They represent variety OF thcues-dithcnes, they
say changing the equipments and OF their
boats as required by lawditcul,es procuring these
metallic feboais, though that to be obvated by
the proposition contained in this joint resolution. An
other dfcuythey mention lie, IN regard to the fusble
ALLOW which they were required by the law to procure
They such alloy has ever been perfected and they
cannot get any alloy which will melt only al certain
heat Ii necessary 10 have mercury, aud the mercury
easily oxidaes, and the alloy will sometimes melt al
heat thirty EIGHT degrees less than at other times under
equal circumstances so far as can be ascertaned They
suggest variety OF circumstances OF thus sort why the
operation OF the bill should be postponed Tor longer
time. | do not profess TO be competent TO Judge OF all
these subjects, but the representations made TO
| from sources strong that am incliacl to move an
extension OF the time but before do 81, would ask
the honorable from Massachusetts TO extend the
period somewhat longer.
/ Mr. DAVIS Mr. President | did not intend TO say .
word about the subject, and do not intend to say many
words | am bound however, to say this much
After having read with some attention the memorials
which have been presented, think this subject has no
been fairly treated by the memoriasts. | think they
raise very many capous and unfounded objections ic
the Investigations evncng a spirit OF bypercrltcism
They have spent whole pages In showing that bette
provision might be made in regard TO lfeeserves, and
they have spent paragraph after paragraph in regard tc
fusble alloy, and great deal OF reasoning about points
OF that sort, which not very MATERIAL after all since
these by means the important features OF the
Il law.
Now, sir, regards preparation: when you come &c
look the character of the law and what IS required
you will perceive a, that hre months is ample time
for the preparation required In the first place, they are
to put in the pumps required That very small Job
suppose vessel should be taken up for that purpose still
ii would be bat short Job. They are TO furnish life
peserves and and they put their vessels in
other respects in the condition required by law, which
ordinarily will require material arrangement OF the
present state of things The inspection OF boilers, then
power and their capaciy the measure OF steam that IS
be carredthese all considerations quite independent
of the preparation. There are am informed, vessel.
which have not got ready, ! am very much inclined to
think that it their fault; but, the other hand, am
not disposed TO make this harsh measure, wish foi
the and the aid OF the owners themselves
for these the who here and not The peo
pie who make these representations. | am inclined to
think that it is the best policy TO give this discretionary
power the inspectors that they may extend the time
not beyond the LIST OF June That the proposition con-
tanned 10 the joint resolution under consideration That
wilt seems to me- impose hardship whatever upon
them
| number OF these owners have come here and asked
have the operation of the law postponed until Deoem
Der What is the object OF that Is IL not 10 come
and agate that question at the next session oil Con-
gessi Ii is perfectly evident the face OF that they
wish 10 stop the action of the law They wish to STOP
is going into effect until Congress assemblies again, that
they again agitae the subject will agree To nc
such proposition that but if my friend from Mary and
thinks in sober seriousness. that three months u moi