The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-04-25

prpepe Of maritime law that he who shall venture his
life or even his property at sea- in tempests and stons
to protect tie property Of another and more TO
protect the life Of one of many is entitled what an
der other circumstances would be called extayagan
reward The law divides, by way of salvage the whole
value OF the property saved between the original owner
and those who it from destruction If the govern
ment Of the United States is TO make special acknsw
ledgment as it is agreed all hands should of this
great act, the which that aclno shall
cost Is to be liked with reference to position
character not less than with reference to the
and heroism OF the transaction itself In regard to the
hrs need not 10 Senators that have to sustain
character which We are perhaps too proud in claim
ing as not inferior TO other commercial political
power on earth Then, the next consideration is the
greatness and herosm of the transaction itself as com
pared with others OF similar nature; and on this sub
Ject am sure that there is unanimous agreement
that the history of naval and maritime affairs presents
no transaction in which more devoted persevering self
denying hardshps were undergone from motives Of
benevolence and humanity than in this case Then,
with reference to the effects Of this proceeding
deeds Of heroism-if the amount is to be re-
strcted it must be wholly through fear that some evil
will come from the legislation precedent Now any
man afraid by appropriatng hundred thousand dollars
to sgnaze the public appreciation OF conduct such as
that which ects this reward that shall encourage
too bold too heroic too dnterested conduct in
peril and shpwreck, the part of American seamen or
OF seamen throughout the world. Certainly not There
is no danger of that. repeat, II by special
act of this kind to show approba OF sach con-
duct it should he commensurate with the greatness o.
the transaction itself. that IL such PROPOSE
tion had been made when the intelligence of the
and the partial salvage first reached the Capitol there is
who would have been for cutting down the ap.
propiiation to twenty thousand We have no claim Of
property now to sette-we practically debts we
have large surplus in treasury; are rich-we
strong government which has for its sur
plus funds except TO buy up its perfectly safe bonds
at advance of fifteen cents the dollar ought to
make liberal for benefits conferred by Others at
the peril OF the property and lives Of those who confer
them it ought not to make mockery of the virtue
OF gratitude at all Let us then, sustain char
acer and encourage our own and those Of all
nations to emulate the conduct of the savors of those
who rershing in the wreck Of the San Francisco
The question taken and the amendment agreed to-
yeas q, nays 16 as follows
YEAs-Atchison, Bright Butler Clay, Dawson, Evans,
Fitzpatrick, Geyer Gwn, Hunter Jones of Tenn, Nor
ris, Pratt Pearce Petit Rusk, Sebastian Sldel Thomp
son OF KY. ToOmbs. Wiiams-2.
m NAIrs.AlIsn - Badger Bell Brown Ceop&, Everett
ner, Wade, Wright-16
The question taken the engrossment of the bill
and cerried--yeas 81, nays 16-as foows-
YEAs-Alen, Badger Bell, Chase, Cooper Everett Fish,
FMt, Geyer, Hamlin Jones of Tenn, Mallory, Pearce,
Rnsk Seward Shields, Stuart, Sumner Thompson Ky
Wade Wright-2l.
NAls-Atchison, Bright, Brown Butler, Clay Dawson,
Evans, Fitzpatrick, Aer Norris, Petit, Pratt Sebas
tian, Slidell, Toombs, Williams-lG.
Tie bill then passed.
THE INDIAN APPROPRIATION
The Indian Appropriation bill then taken up and
twenty amendments reported by the Finance Com
mittee adopted in body one appropriating eighty
thousand dollars for negotiations with the Indians in
Washington Territory debated and adopted.
Adjourned