Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1824-01-29
REPORTED FOR THE NATIONAL INrELLlGEScEn
Eighteenth Congress.
IN SENATE.
THURSDAY, JANUARY 90, 1924.

AhOhSDAfs JANUARY -, 1924.
The following members were appointed a
Select COMMITTEE, in pursuance of the de-
termination yesterday, Oh the resolution au-
ih"rizinS the President 10 despatch ship of
| the line 10 France, to bring the Marunis d,.
Ia Fayette To America viz: Messrs. Havn.
kIng ot New York, Macon, Smith, and Jack
| son.
| Mr. King of Alabama, presented commu-
nlcation from the Legislature nf Alabama. re-
guessing the aid OF the Government la remoy
ing "bsli uclIoDs from The na,igable waters
at that State. Referred TO the Committee ON
lhe Judiciary.
Mr.. VAN buren, rose in pursuance of no
tice gwen on "Wednesday last, TO ask leave Ia
Introduce JOINT resolution, proposing an
amendment 10 the Constitution of the United
oiates, on the subject of the power of Con
gress io make Roads and Canals. He said.
he was AS much opposed, as any man, TO fire
quent alterations Of the form of government
under which we live, but he would make no
apology for bringing this matter before the
senate, IN SD Imposing a form as thai Of dn
amendment TO the Constitution. He would
not do So because he was entirely convinced
maj no one could dispassOuaiely consider the
present state of the question, to which his res
"IHtion relates, without feeling the imperious
necessity of some constitutional provision ON
The subject. IL WAS not his intention. AT this
time, to enter into the discussion of the mai
Ter ne would only submit one or two gener-
al remarks IN relation TO it. or the inuort-
"hce Oh tne question, II was not necessary To
speak. Suffice it 10 say, that, in its SCOPE. il
embraces the funds Ofthr nation to AN nnlim
TIED extent, and IN lis result must effect. AZ far
as tile agency OF the Federal government was
concerned, the future internal improvement of
great and iourishibg country. Is the pow
or 10 make roads aud canals, tDithin The suites.
now vested IN the federal government In
disiduals, said Mr.. Van Buren,. NAV give their
impressions, with their reasons for The yarinus
ingenious constructions they put unon differ
] ent parts OF the constitution, to make out that
this power exists; bat all candid men will adj
mt that there are few questions more unset
tled. WHIST, ln some states, the power is uni
Versally conceded and lis exercise Io,dlv re-
| CURED, in Others, its existence is as general,
denird, aud its exercise as drdrntiy resisted. l.
there cause To believe, that, as The Consti,u
| iIun now stands, construction will obtain
which will be So far acqniescrd in as to be- re-
gatdrd and enforced is one Of the established
/ pow ers Of the General Government II,
| Thought there was not. For about tweutt
! Yeas, this subject bad been one of constant
aud earnest discussions. Elinits have al ,ari.
pus times hoen made 10 Congress to exer
else the power in question. Tney have me
sometimes with more. aud sometimes will
less favor. Bills, containing the assertion. and
directing the exercise Of this pow er, have pass.
20 the two Houses, aud been returned. viii
/ objections, 10y tw0 successive Presidents, anc
allied for want OF the constitutional majority
! The last Congress aud the Executive we're AZ.
rayed against each other, upon the question
ana Us far as a recent vote Uf the otht
\ Hause may lie regarded IS evidence Of IN,
present opinion Of Congress, there IS ever,
reason 10 believe, that such is nov the cas-. -
The Government has now been in opcrat,0,
IisAs Of ibid! years aad, although Tue sui,