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

tried and unknown 1t only proposes 10 extend and
large the operation OF weknown principle of natura
science and which has been thoroughly tested But al
and untried enterprises whether practicable mprac
tcable must pass the ordeal of public and private cr
csm. Futons experiment encountered eers and ridcue
when he placed the first steamboat upon the waters of the
Hudson The first idea publicly announced OF the posi-
bity OF running carriages land by POI
err at the rate Of thirty forty miles hour eered
at as the fancy of some hairbraned lunac Dr. Morses
proposition made the subject of Jest when be asked the
aid of Congress enable him the practcabiity
his electric telegraph The experiments and abors Of these
men have overcome and outlived all opposition and all
skepcsm and their stand enrolled among the BEN
eiactors of their country and of their race. ~
Trial and experience always better and safer and more
reliable than theory, however plausible II may be
The learned Dr. Lariner lecturing to inte
gent audience in Boston, and expounding them the
physical impossbity OF crossing the Atlantic by
the power of steam, when his beautiful and wereasoned
theory all set aback and completely overturned by the
arrival for the first time of the Great Western direct from
the docks of Liverpool And now, to-day, English and
American steamers traversing the waters Of the world
that through and shortsighted policy are
surrendering to Great Britain the supremacy and almost
the entire monopoly Of steam navigation upon the
Sir, 1T is wise and economical government which
takes its citizens timely aud need
full aid and encouragement to private enterprise the bene
fits of all the great material improvements of the day.
in favor of government having hand in this great
work. and sharing in its honors and its countless benefits
The work is too great and too expensive to be undertaken
by unaded private efforts The company which proposes
TO undertake it is composed of citizens in part
least, who gentlemen well known to the country
possessing the highest character for integrity enterprise
and responsibility They have applied to the British gov
ernment for aid The British government expresses its will
ngness to lend the requisite aid and proposes join the
American government in granting such aid the amount
being stipulated upon precisely equal terms and cond
tons The offer of the British government is Just and
fair 1t is rendered in spirit of kindness of friend
ship of confidence and of liberay Let it be accepted
in a corresponding spirit on our part
Mr. JONES' OF Tennessee am not willing, Mr.. Presi-
dent allow the question to be taken without least
terng my protest against this measure, though know
that protests here amount to very little they the
expression of individual opinion.
The argument of the honorable senator from Vermont
MIR. FooT is very pretty thnga beautiful lecture
the progress Of the age and he illustrates in terms
beautiful he always does the skill and ingenuity Of
au but cannot see for the life of me- what it has
with this question He tells about the incredulity of
the world in regard to improvements which have been
gestedsuch navigation and the electric telegraph
We all know that but it has nothing do with this ques
ton. Some Improvements have succeeded and have
not succeeded The question for US to determine to-day
sfrs whether have the power to enter into this
tract and in the next place. have the power whether
it is expedient or not to do
AS for myself | do not recognise the power and /
think have been regarded as iattudinous in nv con-
structon Of the constitution anybody But if the pow
does exist deny the expedency OF the measure. To
make it plain and simple, what is it Some gentlemen
associate themselves together without any warrant
thorty of law, SO far know we know nothing of
their existence corporate body they respon-
sibe to the laws Of the United States in any shape
form they call themselves telegraph company, and they
here and ask the government of the United States
become partner in the corporation by making this
tract ask the oldest senator here to tell If any such
thing has ever occurred in the history Of this
the government of the United States becoming part
ner in private corporation, association Of indiyid
That however is not the strongest point Of objection
with me. We not only become partners in this rrespon
sble corporation (ft be corporation about which we
know nothing but we become grand national insurance
company. We asked to guaranty to these gentle
menve six or seven or ten of hem-certan amounts
of profit their investment if they succeed. Does it
not strike senators something extraordinary that this
government should be converted into insurance
office 2 E ....t.a ...
This is of kindred spirit to proposition that was here
the other day. when Congress asked to appropriate
$4,000 to make survey ascertain the praccabity of
scheme of Mr. Eetts for making rivers where God
made them. appeal to the senator from Vermont, be-
cause recolect to have had conversation with him
that subject whether last year we had not exhibition in
the rounda of the Capitol fan invention by which steam
engines should be made to ascend very high grades The
inventor here and asked Congress to do precisely
what this company is asking to domake appropra
on Of money TO test the feasibility and praGtcaby Of
his scheme He American citizen, and the work
within the limits of the United States and for the ben
eft Of all the people of the United States and yet
not done But the other day gentleman was here with
steam plough, and ho wanted Congress- think to make
appropriation enable him to try his experiment IT.
the Congress of the United States has the power and deems
it wise and expedent to appropriate $4,000 year for
untred experiment which may may not succeed,
why may it not gse money to this build his rail-
road, and the other to try his seam pough When this
government assumes the power to become guaran
for the fances the whims the caprices of every
who comes here with Improvement you might as
well open the doors OF the treasury and let the money flow
out TO every man.
You levy On my constituents and bring them here
for the purpose of supporting the government paying the
legitimate expenses Of the governments but instead Of
making honest and faithful application of the taxes thus
levied you deal that money out to spectators who to
realize fortunes il they succeed and if they do not succeed
the responsibility is divided Is it not enough that we
shall assist them by lending them vessels II gentlemen
choose to go that far why not step here They say that
amounts to nothing That is not my understanding Of
the matter believe it will be very expensive to the gov
ernment to fit out and furnish vessels and send them off
this service Not content with that they ask to in
demny them in large proG-so large that understand
since this bill has been before the Congress OF the United
States the stock in this moonshine has gone
hundred and twenty fve hundred and thirty
hundred and forty dollars for the hundred dol
lars. "a" ~
1t strikes that we had better pause hope this ex
pertinent will succeed. anxious for its as
the senator from Vermont will not hazard opinion
have such scientific knowledge would authorize me
express opinion on it, but if does succeed let this
pay for the of just she pays for hs use
of the property of any of her citizens let her pay literally
and generously. fails is their experiment not ours
In my Judgment it the srangest and widest proposition
that have seriously entertained by the Amer
can Senate ...a '.a.#..
Mr. BUTLER shall make no apology to the Senate
for OBTAINING 1t this subject am not in condition
speak long but II to me- the huntsmen say that
there eagerness this trail They cry the trail with
eagerness that have scarcely known in the Senate
Of the United States Why not postpone this project for
year As far regards the sphere of observation which
will enable us to form determination upon it, why shall
precpste this question and decide it now within one
very apt to find the way to this labyrinth We have asked
postponement The friends of the bill will not grant