Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-02-11


drawn from the people before the next CEN
sus IS taken. and of course being contributed
by .ns nation according TO the present state OF
wealth and population ouyh: To he apportion-
ed according to the rule bv which il is derived.
ana not be subjected To- changes which with
out anectin- The contribution would reduce
me Dehen'Sto be derived BY the states from
tins fund they now paw SC,
After much more discussion. in which Messrs
Hubert. Gold & Yates took part;
majority.
Mr.. Stearns moved, hatinstead ofvesting in
Congress the power OF Designating the objects
OF improvement-it should be given to the
state legislatures under the appreciation OF the
President.
~ TINS melton was opposed ny Mr. sheife. Mr..
Pickering. and MIR. Grosveror-when
II was negativcd without division: aud
The question was taken OH agreeing TO
the amendment OF the committee of the
whole House, as amended, and carried-ayes
81.
Mr.. Pickering then moved To strike out the
first section, and insert i'm lieu thereof two
other sections, directing that the fund he set
apart Tor constructing roads and canals, in
cruer 10 faciitate, promote. and give security
to internal commerce among the several
states, and to be applied TO constructing or
aiding IN the construction of such roads aud
Canals IN each of the states, as Congress- with
the consent of each state shall by law direct"
and the proportion to be expended in each
state 10 be IN the ratio Gifts representation at
the time of such expenditure, in the most nu-
merous branch of the legislature.
Mr. IHgiGHl, in remarking on the objection
TO the words Internal Improvement, as too indie
hnlte, and the proposition TO confine the APP
plication OF the fund TO making roads and ca
mas expressly suggested, what he thought a
middle ground, as ne believed it would be
found sometimes, and in some places, more
advantageous to improve the beds of iirers,
than either of the other objects, and moved 10
include th~t object in the designation to be gil
ven IN the amendmentproposed by MIR. Pick
ering.
MIR. Robertson was adverse 20 this proposit-
on, as itwould cOntine the application of the
fund to certain Objects when there were vet
other objects of internal improvement equal
~ deserving the attention and aid of the go
vernment, and equally important; which Opt
MON he argued to establish.
MIR. Pickering supported his motion, and
argued at length against giving the eXpend-
ture of the fund TO the several states as the
general welfare was the peculiar province of
the general government, and was the very
pole star of its objects and intentions, and,
touching on the constitutional objections
thought il very probable that under the rene-
raj power toregulate and facilitate commerce.
that Congress had the power to apply
this fund TO the making of roads and canals,
&c.
mir. PitIin disputed the power of Congress-
to apply the public funds to such objects or
even to incorporate company to make ca.
nal-that II this principle were adopted Cou-
gress might assume any power-and argued to
establish this opinion, and the belief that the
power OF Congress extended only to the OBJ
Jects expressly given in the constitution, &C.
As TO the expediency of the scheme, he
would prefer aiding companies, or individual
enterprlZe, instead of taking these objects
&c.
Mr.. Pickering after replying briefly TO Mr.
fItkih. modihed his amendment so as to en-
brace the motion of Mr. ingham to add 'the
improvements of any water course"
Mr.. Calhoun, though extremely anxious to
accommodate the bill to the views of others so
as to receive as much support as possible vet
felt himself obliged to object 10 the moditi-
cation just made and moved to restore Mr.
chickering's motion TO the shape in which he
first movedit.
Mr.. King then entered into an argument a.
gainst the main object of the bill-argning
that, from the present situation of the country,
IT'S poverty, the existing public hurthens on tie
people, &c. it was inexpedient to enter into a
PROJECT so expensive that as to military
roads, they would be open to an enemy as well
as ourseives-and went into some minute cal
cuiatons OF the taxes paid bv different towns
of the eastern states, to shew the impoIicy OF
thIs measure; he also argued that its consti-
nationality was derived only by implication.
&c. and concluded by moving the indefinite
poStpOnement of the bill.
This motion gave rise TO an animated debate
on the main principle of the bill, which cont
nIed until the adjournment in which Messrs.
Gold, Shettey and Harrison, advocated the bill !
and Messrs. Hardin, Smith Of Md. and Bar
bour, spoke in opposition.
About 40clock, the debate not having |
closed, motion was made to adiourn-and |
the House adjourned. 4
Friday, FEB Z.
MIR. LO'cadeS, from the committee of WAYS |
and Means, reported bill TO increase tie |
compensation of certain collectors of the Gus !
toms; also biIlmakiug additional appropria- |
lions to defray the eXpence of the army and |
militia dnring the late war; also bill ma |
king appropriations for the support of the |
military establishment for the wear 1917 |
which bills were twiceread and severally com |
mitted.
Mr.. ChappeH, from the committee on pen
sions and revolutionary claims, made unfa-
vOrab'e reports on the petition of John Minor
and or the petition of Col. Allen Ni'Iane-
both OF which were ordered to lie on the
table.
Air. Hugh Nelson, from the committee on
the judiciary, towlch had been re-comIntted
the bill authorship the appointment Of Cir
cult Judges, reported a bill f.r the betterad-
of Justice in the supreme court.
and for the appointment of Circnit Judges
which was read and committed.
MIR. JoUndes, from the committee of vavs &. |
means, reported the bill from the Senate for
The more prompt settlement of pu hlc accounts
~ 18th sundiy amendments; which were read
md, with the bill, committed to a committee
IF the whole house
The Speaker laid before the House the an
lua! report Of the commissioner of the sinking
Gad; which was ordered TO lie on tho fable
md be printed.
On motion ofMr. Ha1n
Rfsoicsd, That The acting Secretary of War
ne instructed TO report to ts House the rea
Ons why the militia fines incurred nv deIin