The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1857-01-24


given for it, believe the idea is a valuable one at
least the purpose which be seeks cannot be accomplished
certainly ought not to for the bill because 10 do
would be to throw these advantages in the hands Of the
British government
"A word in regard to the expedency of embarking
the funds of the United States in the enterprise all
am willing, any company establishes and II it can be
done at reasonable cost have doubt private
pany will establish ihat the government Of the United
itpay literally, pay largely, you choose to say but
do not think IL is polite wise to embark the funds of
the United States in common enterprise with private
company for undertaking of this character believe
these things will be best done when they are LEFT TO ind
vdua enterprise and 1t will be found that the safest and
best way in which governments interfere will be merely
10 pay as any other customers little more literally lit
tie largely you choose but let not identity
interests and our fortunes with company of this chara
ter
For myself am far from thinking that the expenditure
will be limited by what is proposed in this bill
like these amendments because they least enable
pause after much has been expended if choose Sup
pose this cable were to part in putting il down.
tingency by means impossible mprobable-and we
have to the expense of making other cables and
have to resort to all those experiments which may be
necessary order to obtain efficient line of commun
cation, 1t might cost million of dollars do not believe
any knows what 1t would cost 1t is mere expert
men and therefore to that extent the amendment offered
by the senator from New York is in my opinion, very
valuable but for one unwilling to vote for the bill
in this shape and certainly unwilling to for unless
something like the safeguard which the senator from Ohio
proposes be thrown around il.
Mr. TOUCEY Mr.. President wish to say few words
only, this time, in regard to this bill hope the ques
ton will not be taken upon it to-day. think it needs
another provision which altogether important than
the under considerations provision by which
the citizens of the United States shall be placed in regard
to this communication upon footing of perfect equality
with British subjects There nothing of that kind n the
bill think the present occasion is fit to make that
provision What would be the condition of the people of
the United States If this telegraph communication were
entirely in the hands of the British government OF
British subjects with information ten days in advance
OF that which may be possessed by amy citizen of this
country We should be in the hands of speculators the
whole cotton crop Of the country might be purchased
advance of intelligence that could arrive by any other
mode of communication. There is provision against
that in this bill hope the bill will not pass until at
least have that security which the amount to be expended
under Its provisions justices for the equal enjoyment Of
the advantages Of communication by the citizens OF this
country
With regard the advantage in time of war; it does not
strike as being of any great Importance There be
important communications TO be made in time of war,
cannot very well conceive OF any that would be Of any i'm
mediate and pressing importance; yet such occasions
might arise As to any stipulation that might be made
which should be regarded by the two in time
of war, certainly none would be Of Importance unless in
the form of treaty providing for that contingency How
far 1t would be eectual then either government were
disposed to disregard it confess not able to dis
cover. rely rather the power Of the government in
time OF war TO protect its interests than any treaty sp
ulatons There would be the power to destroy this
munication provided they to interrupt it with this
country for no one can suppose that this line
will terminate at that point 1t will be continued into
own country by land and if that should be interrupted in
time of war; would interrupt the communication from
one side of the Atlantic to the other
look upon 1t of very great importance to
this countryvastly than to Great Britain. We
dependent upon the foreign market and have
UNNECESSARILY greater interest in the foreign market
than Great Britain her subjects have in the markets OF
the United States This submarine photographic c0mmu-
nicatiOn would be mmeasurably important TO the
people of this country than to the people of other
country In time OF peace provided it be open TO and
secure to regard il in every point oil view as OF the
very highest Importance.
| go.
mail under water. 1t is doing what we do now by the
lines of steamships that passing between this continent
and the other 1t is only carrying out that series Of
ures to make communications from continent to the
other. 1t is legitimate object in my Judgment
Then with regard to the amendment or my friend from
Ohio would lcave that matter to treaty; would not
undertake to provide for ii in this ba bill to which the
British government not party certainly would not
withhold the appropriation until the executive department
had negotiated treaty with Great Britain would, in
time of peace avail myself of the full benefits of this
muncaton and trust to the contingencies of war would
pay this money in pursuance of the BILL under the restrc
tons contained in it, as long as the communication was
kept the citizens OF this country were placed
an equality with the subjects of Great Britain hope
however that the measure viii pot b psssed hls tme
because think the bill is not framed as TO secure an
important public object in the mode in which tnlnk "
ought to be secured before the bill is passed.
Mr.. SEWARD. Allow me to suggest to the honorable
from Connecticut for his consideration that this
bill provides that the tariff Of tolls for the use OF this tele
graphic wire shall established by the joint ment Of
the United States and Great Britain. No message can be
transported by the company unless they paid for it,
because 1t coss something IL there be any inequality IN
such contract this government need not agree to estab
lsh any rate only throw this outfor the purpose Of
showing the honorable senator this feature Of the bill
that hope he may be induced tomorrow to withdraw his
objection to it.
Mr.. TOUCEY thought that stipulation referred only
to the messages of the Two governments.
Mr.. SEWARD. No; it refers to the whole tariff for
everybody.
Mi. TOUoEY. There is nothing like that in the BILL
Mr.. SEWARD. 1t is in the contract.
Mr, TQUCEY. Is the contract here
Mr. SEWARD. The contract accompanies the bill, and
has been read.
Mr. TOUCEY think the bill does not provide for this
point; have examined it critically with that view.
ecuton the principle Of equality between the csens of the
two countries that it should be the duty Of this
to suspend the payment the moment there should be
any violation of that equality.
Mr.. SEWARD. will show the honorable senator this
provision.
And provided That the tariff prices the such
sub marine communication by the public
that is the whole world
a be fixed by the Secretary of the Treasury of the Uni
ted States and the government of Great Britain or its
thorzsd agent"
MI ToUgEY; "The public there means the govern
mehts on each side
Mr.. SEWARD. oh, no, the contract includes all.
Mr. TOUCEY. 1t is time since read the contract
but the BILL according to the construction put it. does
not extend to the case of private citizen.
Nj. STUART. Oh, yes.
Mr. TOUCEY. think not. If 1t be there my object is
to look at it, but think does reach the point There
should be an explicit provision in the BILL that no payment
citizens Of the two Countries az we'll as regard to the
governments OF the two countries But sir, suggest
that by general this bill be postponed until
morning and made the special order for haast