The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-28


carried private property funds Tor investment in that
county. under the impression that they
there Tor great while. or expecting even 10 return i'm
mediaely did Il upon their responsibility, and this
government cannot undertake to insure them There is
no limit which you can put upon the description OF loss
sustained. Under the amendment OF the gentleman you
may bring in almost anything They open their
counts against the govern upon every description OF
article YOU open II upon any As 10 The mere equip
ments most o Them are furnished by the United States
themselves; and they lost. the soldiers not
charged Tor them.
Now sir. il you wish to load down the bill 40 to
destroy it-so as 10 fail to give them The ioor
months pay-so as to fail remit the six months
pay made TO them by the government the senator pro-
poses by way OF amendment-if you wish TO destroy the
whole BILL then load II down with amendment in
definite IN its character that which is proposed by the
senator from Tennessee, and think YOU will have
achieved that object This was voted down in commii-
tee say nothing TO the sfctness that should exist
in regard 10 all approaches TO the public treasury; but il
you adept such provision, think you will Ind that
either here or in some other branch Of the government
the bill will be lost Let be content with doing lit
lie good, We cannot do all that the philanthropy and
kindness OF heart Of every gentleman would promp, him
to do and il We did, there would be soon no treasury
whatever.
The reasons which have given those which in
dnce me 10 vote against the payment OF the losses
What other reasons may have acuated other members
oil ,he committee am mol able 10 say.
Mr. SHIELDS The amendments which offered
few minutes ago were the amendments which the
mllee coDcurred in As hus been stated by my honor
able friend from Arkansas, this amendment was no,
sustained by the Committee on Military Affairs 1t
before the committee, and was discussed to extent
In the main, agree with the principle OF the amendment
think the officers and soldiers who suffered losses
board the SaR Francisco IN consequence OF this disas
ter ought 10 be reimbursed by the government for those
losses think there difference OF opinion upon
thai subject. II only thought little premature and
nadvisabe at this time 10 provide this general mode
OF relief One reason was that given very forcbly by
my honorable friend from Arkansas. l was rather in
favor o this provision al the commencement. But there
was another suggested 1t is reported do not
know how lruly-ihat some Of the officers of that
nhark
mand. hope it is not true. Ii IL be true, do not
know that at liberty at this time, and perhaps it
would not be prudent At lhis time, 10 give my opinion
upon such conduct AT all events, would say this
II is subject OF military inquiry, and hope il will be
conducted = subject OF military inquiry. hold that
man who is placed in charge OF such command, who
is the chief and leader OF such command and who, in
hour OF danger and DISTRESS such as this wss aban
dons that command. is guilty OF as mucEl will not say
coaardce but msconducl-as il he deserted his COM
mand upon the held OF battle. In some respects il s
even also hold that the embarkation Of those
troops, unless II be explained by the condition Of the
officers the lime, thai they incapaciiaed from
sickness or from wounds for sustaining the command
thar the pfvaes should have been rs embarked the
tain being Ae last man 10 put ms feet on board the boat
that carried them of the wreck. In the way, |
hold thai the regiment should have been first embar ed,
the colonel OF lne egnent beng the last to embark
and flee from The wreck But one OF the singular as-
pecs OF this that the officers first embark ed,
and lett the command destitute OF their commander. the
whole rtsmehla siaa. commssafy, quarternaseT, med
Cal officers, aud ALL II sm correctly niormed the sn-
The medical stores
! know some OF these gentlemen personally | have
had The honor 10 eoamand some Of them myself. The
commander OF that regiment served under al Tamp-
co and know him personally. And know that some
OF those officers who embarked in the boat that trans
ferred The troops TO the Kiiby brave any in
the service, but owing 10 wounds received upon the
wreck 10 SICKNESS and exposure upon the wreck, they
were incapable OF performing service.
My honorable ireld from Tennessee Mr. BELL] in
forms that Lieutenant Murray, who Is i.ls
Guy, and whose gallant condnc, during the whole
oi this Catastrophe, does credit 10 him and TO The
service 10 which be is engaged, explains this matter
BY stating that the officers board the Kby, not
ior The purpose of remaining there. but with The
ton OF returning 10 Their command upon The wreck but
during The night the kilby as we all know from
paper report from the wreck However this
may be, lhis will be The subject oil military inquiry SIS
before remarked do not wish 10 PREJUDICE il On the
contrary hope and trust for the honor o. the American
army The honor oil The service asd Tor the honor OF
the country, that every officer who leit tne command
will be able 10 explain u TO The satisfaction OF tie ma
tion.
! The commIttee thought however, that j, would be a
e premature 10 provide ior geRora indemnihcaon ior
we propose thus indemnify discharged their duly
faithfully on that terrible ocsasion, or not For one, 40
or pay ing every dollar that lost by these during
e disas,eio reimbursng every dollar aud every par
tce OF property but will never consent 10 pay dol
lar Tor any loss properly, jewels, or money, by men
who LETT their command IN distress; and until am fully
sa'i, ned upon that point shall not vote for tins amend
ment,
blr GWiN. Mr. Presided, -
] Mr. PETITE. 1 rise 10 privileged question
1 Tie PRESIDING OFFICER, lMf. NoRR.] The
from Indiana Will stale The question o privilege.
/ Mr.. PETIT There is a special order for ihis hosf
The case Of the senator IRON VemoD-and ask that II
be taken up, and that proceed It's consideration.
/ MIR. BADGER Ihs rule OF the Senate Is, that no
question put aside Tor the fact OF The existence
OF special but, in order 10 take the special
der, the senstor must move TO postpone tbs subject.
/ Dir. PETITE Then, move 10 postpone the subject
under consideration and TO proceed TO the consideration
OF The spe cai order
l Ar SHIkI Refora ,ha ,oo,ion q. no, I L~na IN.
will be disposed OF IN some way. But ii my friend per
in his amendment, the whole il may be better TO
pc. .pone IT,
/ Mir DAWSON. will sia,e 10 my friend and asso.
ciaie upon The committee that there some embarrass
men connected with this II would be better 10 let
tins matter lac uuul all The facts better known
IN reference 80 this unfortunate aBslr.
Mr.. GWlN. | believe am entitled 10 the floor The
privileged question: think, not sustained by the
Char. | will delain the Senate bat a moment
The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Chair so far en-
eriaDcd The question OF privilege as TO allow tie senator
10 make motlon 10 postpone
Mf. GWiN. was about tc state that i was in favor
OF the amendment
Mr JONES, OF Tennessee II tho senator from Cali.
otnia will allow me, will withdraw my amendment.
will not embarfass The Senate with u this tpe al
though lhnk the principle Is tight will bring il up
AZ ain. and ask a vote OF toe Senate upon IT,
Mr. PETIT thereupon Withdrew his motion 10 post
pone
drawn
Mr.. BUTLER VIII my friend from Illinois allow
me- as his remarks will go out TO the country, 10 state
one or two facts connected with that subject will
log ~ The room OF my friend from Virginia, Mr. MAsosl
freely The subject of the