The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-04-02
SENATE.
OCEAN MAIL STEAMERS.


with the remarks which have 10 make. But feel II
due 10 my SELF voled 10 favor OF The increase oi lhe
appropriation TO the Collins ne al ioIner session OF
Congress- stale the principal reasons why hink thee
10 difference between the Appropriation then granted
and thai asked for now. The present amendment pro-
poses TO increase the compensation 10 The lines OF steam
srs running from The United States 10 Bremen and Havre
When the question came before Inc oenae on tne m
of the appropriation 10 the Coihns me- viewed
il az national question. then stated, IN the remarks
which | made that would not hereafter go for any
extension OF compensation to any other ne unless IT
could be shown TO be similar case The government
had adopted, whether wisely not II is too late TO
determine, the policy Of establishing line of steamers
which il supposed would be made available for Ger
tain purposes in time of war, and the interim during
peace. could be used for the purpose OF mail transora
lion. The Collins line, running from New York TO Lv-
erpool, had entered into contract tor the construction
OF steamers 10 transport your mails between New York
and Liverpoothe great line OF postal communication,
not only with England. but with Europe The nomen,
that contract was made, rival line previously in exist
under the patronage OF the English government,
doubled in its service aud thus supported by the
patronage Of the British government, threw difficult
lies in The way In order to compete with thus rival line
the American contractors obliged 10 enlarge the
size OF their vessels 10 give greater speed and
sary incurred greater cost in the and great
cost in the subsequent sailing Under these circum
stances they came forward and asked of you an
additional appropriation. element. as conceived,
had entered into the question after the contract was
made. There was direct ne which was supported in
part by the treasury OF foreign government, establish
ed in opposition TO the Cone line and called
upon, under all the circumstances, viewing the matter
national point OF view, 10 increase their compensa
ton.
Brt sir cannot perceive that this line stands in the
position. know of no foreign government which
has established line compete with the Havre and
Bremen ne and that was the most material reason, in
my Judgment for the increase OF the compensation in the
other The absence Of this competition is a reason
sufficient 10 induce TO vote against this increase OF
compensation. ! might mention other reasons, but as
this is sufficient, will base my opposition upon this
point, and will say that, until you show that foreign
government is about TO establish or has established by
aid from The public treasury, line TO run IN competition
Mr.. HUNTER. The senator ma or from Massachusetts,
mr. DAvIs,] il understand him. supports this amend
nen for rather an extraordinary reason If understand
his argument the tendency OF the maintenance OF this
line will Be cheaper labor by encouraging emigration.
thought that the honorable senator in favor OF
what called protective system, because as they say
the reasoning advanced TO support the principle
rect but had supposed that the ground upon which it
proceeded was that it was 10 increase the price Of labor
Now hear that this protecting system Is 10 be miro
duced for the purpose OF cheapenng labor.
Mr.. DAVIS. That is not what | said. | said that
that would be oil its results. and thought thai would
be agreeable TO the Tree traders. That is all. Laugh
MIR. HUNTER. The free traders believe that the best
way compensate labor is TO throw everything open
free competition that you the laborer
fort, make him OF man, and elevate him in every
respect. physically and morally when you expose him to
the wholesome influences oil Tree competition. That is
the doctrine OF the free traders say in relation 10 what
the senator has said that desire emigration like every
thing else, to be conducted the principle of free will
do not suppose that 1t would be proper for build
ships, and be at the expense of runsng hem for the
purpose Of transporting emigrants here. No. sir; we
VIII give hospitable welcome 10 all that will come but
surely We are not bound TO enter into the business OF
building vessels Tor bringing them over
But he says that we ought TO support ii because il is
calculated 10 increase the mail facilities and postal
municatlons between different countries acknowledge
that ii is beneficial TO facilitate the postal commuDica.
tons, provided II can be done upon the self sustaining
prInclpe But is here TO be limit TO the creation OF
mail facliies' Are TO carry letters for nothing; not
only at home. but abroadi Is il not enough that
have already taxed the Post Office Department for carry
ing the mails beyond what the bring the
way OF Teceips but must we be called upon to extend
this principle also to foreign nations, and pay for the
rying OF letters 10 all parts OF Europe for nothing or
next TO nodng' Or are adopt the other and better
itself
BY Improvement IN shipping, by Improvement in machine
shops and IN yards. And he says that if were to
have war, The result of that experiment would be tina,
We would be able 10 engage IN the under ia
vorabe circumsiances And, sir, how does he sustain
that proposition He says that the Collins line sprung
suddenly into existence, and that ecpsed all the British
experiments that had been started and osered by proec
ton How was II that enabled to eclipse those
British experiments WHICH bad been founded upon gov.
ernment protecuoni Was 1t not because our mech anics
and sleam marine had been reared upon the principle of
free composition here at home, and without protection
and that that had so sbarpened human ingenuity and so
rewarded human exeon by securing II the profits OF
hs own labor that our mechanics developed a superio
ty and above the foreign artisans who had lived and
moved and bIesihed nnder system of Protection
Mr.. DAVIS. will ask the senator If he thinks any
one OF the Collins ships would have been built il had
not been for the advance made by the government
MIR. HUNTER. have believed that il the govern.
had nterieed before this time, we should have
bad mail steamers good, and perhaps better, than the
Collins line, carrying the mails wherever they would
have paid. And believe that far from being better
able TO 90 into war account OF that experiment. and
TO support the navy, 1t has proved incubus 10 the
progress OF the naval service. You have expended
money IN this reckless experiment which Ought have
gone TO the navy and you have absolutely ships
aloat which have proved TO be incapable for naval
purposes uness as mere transports IT, instead OF doing
this you had appropriated the money 10 the navy prop
sleam marine - assuming all the rest OF the
world-t would have been much better. So far, then
from contributing TO our means OF naval Defence bet
levs 1t s the reverse; that 1t has put back and we
have expended our money IN the imp roper direction
That is OF the why willing TO 20 fur
s concerned. has 10 be supported out OF the treasury
That il national concern but far these CONNER
ca enterprises concerned either 10 transport passen
gers or commodities. that we should support them under
tne idea that they will even compensate in the way
oi hostages is futile. The idea OF entering into such
IN sn'erpnse Tor the purpose of Transporting commodities
@ passengers u 10 me utterly odIous, Tor u does not be-
." oeions ,oindivduals tbiok that instead Of Civ.
=. sa a 70 'ne progress OF people by such miscall
nVs nss as lhls, We impede and clog them.
~, Dsnnnlohf voted against the appropr ation |
~ @ Ho'ns n ine last year. and with the lights now be-
- e 80 a, % zee, my duty TO vote against every increase
Inn ;n nv n5a,am ~ steam lines THIS sy stem of legisa-
n. ~ NY Juufmehl, s Improper and produces a very
singular stale oil things We saw la, 4, s,.s - LII |
eroWoeu WIN agents 70 Obtain the increased cooonaaa
non- We were no, blind 10 the TACT Thai sc,v :, p,.
came mere VINO Were hired and paid to po.scne legi.l,
uon through Congress Tor tba, line Ths a. iesl.la
n hali nntrk -