Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-05-04
GON@H@S SIOWAE.
MIR. JOSEpU HEMPUIII'S SPEECU.

StittdftceS, 23d .Idrch, 1880.
Mr.. CHAIEMAN: will at this early stage, endea-
vor TO explain the why the bill before the coin
intee ought TO pass into law. 1t embraces, as |
celvc, subject of the highest interest. The useful
ness, which, the contemplated road will be TO the
try, is OF itself exceedingly important, and besides
THIS legislative will hold out full assurance,
nat national improvements intended TO be prosccut
ed by the General Government. In this light the mag
ntudc oil the question: ready for discussion, cannot
be overrated.
In the commencement, will be permitted 10 remark,
that II is not the design OF the friends OF national inn
provcments tontertere with the annual exnguishmeRt
oil the pusic debt, provided for by law. The
regular operation of existing laws, will clear the
nation OF debt The exertons of statesmen towards the
accomplishment OF this object longer required.
But as TO the momenous question of improving the
country for its own prosperity and glory, it ranks first
and truly worthy OF the best efforts OF the nation Ii
Is equally interesting TO the present and TO postcr-
tyand nothing less than complete success, will
terminate its repeated debates this floor. will dwell
no longer at present in general remarks.
Mr. Chairman, some gentlemen entertain the opinion
that these great objects ought be accomplished by the
several States. never could accord with this opinion
he states are TO take of their local interests
within their own limits il is not their duty TO legiSate
with view TO national purposes. Neither could they,
without the consent of Congress, confederate TO make
extensive roads, passing through many States for great
and national purposes. In this immense country il Is
impossible TO toresec all the channels through which
our inland commerce may take its direction No exact
plan can be devised it would be rash to designate all
the places where roads, canals and bridges should be
-.
TO select lew objects at time, and TO progress with
the rising condition of the country. Congress will al
ways be the best capable of selecting the grand and
leading objects, which will accommodate themselves,
to the good OF the Union at argcand for these purpo
ses Congress, according TO my conception of the case
ought TO retain, in her own hands, her This
brings me to the consideration of opinion which has
gained some standing and has attracted the
uon oil the PRESIDENT mean the propriety Of distribute
ing The surplus revenue among the several States. The
President has expressed his doubts in rcati TO its
stitutlonaity; and think that further considera-
ton of the subject he would he enabled speak
positively as to the constitutional barrier.
assume 1t rs a principle, which, fair eXamna-
ton, canont be shaken that whenever money is in the
Treasury, ii is mmateria from whence it has arisen
the constitution puts mark upon III il may be pledged
by previous laws for constitutional purposes but in no
event can be Withdrawn from the Treasury unless il
is TO effect some expressed implied provisions in the
constitution Apower in the General Government over
internal Improvements, has been claimed except
on such objects which Congress may, from time time,
deem national. Lands have been ceded TO States for
specific objects of national improvements. The bill
which rejected by Mr. Madison in 1917 retained
the control the objects which the expenditures
were TO be made i'm each State.
But if Congress should distribute money generally
among the States for internal improvements il may be
expended on local and minor objects over which Con-
themsc'ues have n power Tho Statos, in ax-
pending the money, will not look to national objects but
TO their own internal concerns and perhaps TO a rivalry
with their Joining neghbors.
Mr. Jefferson and Mr.. Madison, in their messages
approved entirely of the expcdency of exercising this
Mr.. Monroe has expressed his opinion on the subject
IN the most satisfactory manner. | beg leave to read
this part OF the document called his views on internal
improvements Here Mr.. H. read the followine:1
It cannot be doubted that improvements for great ma
tonal purposes would he better made by the General
Government than by the Governments of the several
States Our experience, prior 10 the adoption of the
constitution demonstrated, that by the exercise by the
individual States of most Of the powers granted TO the
United States, contracted rivalry of interests, and mis-
applied jealousy OF each other had important infu-
tn tha i'd, & al.
whole This was particularly exemplifed by the reg
ulatIons which they severay made of their commerce
with foreign nations and with each other. 1t was this
utter ncapacity in the State Governments proceeding
from these and other causes, TO act as nation and TO
perform all the duties which the nation owed to itself
Under any system which left the General Government
dependent the States which produced the transfer of
these powers to the United States by the establishment
OF the present constitution.
"The reasoning which applicable to the grant of
any OF the powers vested in Congress- is likewise
So at least to certain extent to that i'm question Ii is
natural that the States individuality in making the inn
provements should look 10 their particular and local in
teress Inc members composing their respective le-
gsatures represent the people of each State only and
might not feel themselves liberty to look to objects in
these respects beyond that limit.
eff the Of the Union were TO be brought in
TO operation under the direction ofte State assemblies
or in concert with them, may be apprehended that
every measure would become the object of negotiation
OF bargain and barter much TO the disadvantage of the
SYSTEM as well as dscred TO both Governments. But
Congress would look to the whole, and make improvc.
mens for the welfare of the whole. II is the peculiar
felicity of the proposed amendment, that while il will
enable the United States TO accomplish every national
ogect, the improvements made with that view will en-
inenty promote the welfare of the individual States
who may also add such others as their own particular
interest may require"
In addition TO this enlightened view of the subject
may he permitted TO submit few remarks: and the
first is that when the plan OF distribution is once adopt-
ed il he recalled; il will grow into spcccs
of right and majority of the representatives. from the
several States will never vote to the funds TO the
General Government thousand reasons will be az
signed TO oppose IFS restoration whenever the General
Government shall stand in need of il. Among others
II would be said, land with great ustce) that the faith
oil the United States mad been pledged, and on this re-
lance. schemes Of internal improvements had been
partially executed; and TO Withdraw the funds would
be to sacrifice the expenditures already made This
oppression would vary in the different States according
TO the condition of their works-it would create condic.
lions and cOniusons Of interest that wond be ALARMING
The funds which belong TO the Union, would he enab-
gled in local and minor undertakings. But while the
General Government retains her resources she
will always be prepared e. meet the great and commit
Gated concerns OF the nation whether in peace or i'm
war She can select the objects Of improvements on
such scale not only TO be able to compile tc them
but also 10 be in state Of readiness for any sudden en-
Urgency.
This rod leading from The Seat Of the General Gov
eminent. TO Buffalo aud In New OIeans, two fronrrs
which will be imminently exposed. in the event of
war cannot he Otherwise than # the Ligbest irnr or
lance. The badness of the road from hence IN BuH,
10, during the last war, proraeted intelligence and
prevented quick concentration Of troops and of the
munitions Of war; TO the parts required n there had
been good roads, the military dlsas err, at the com
menccfnPni OF the war, never would have occur.