Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-22

been supported oy the gentleman from n. Carroll
ma, Mr.. Barringer. For his part, Mr.. b. said,
he could not sec why the mouth of river should
be improved BY appropriations of the public mo-
ney more than its bed; nor why a measure OF this
description. coming from the committee OF com
cree, was not as much measure OF Internal I'm
provement, as if it had come from the Commit
tee of Roads and Canals. Suppose the appro-
priatons proposed by this bill had been for the
improvement of the Ohio River, Or for removing
distractions in other streams; would not the
gentlemanfrom North Carolina have gone against
that measure? Has ne not invariably gone against
such appropriations What, then, shall we see,
If we act upon the principles which govern his
vote in favor Of this bill? Why, Sir, that there
is to be system of appropriations for bays and RI
vers, for expenditures on tide water, and no
appropriations are to be made for the improve
ment Of the interior. 1t ia, therefore, Sir, that
, l am obliged to turn my back against this bill,
after voting for similar measures for the last eight
years. Sir look at the details of this bill; the
State Of Ohio is the only one of the Western
States for which the smallest appropriation is
proposed in it. Suppose were to call for an
appropriation for the Improvement of the Coosa
river; would the gentleman from North Carroll
ma come out & say that that appropriation is con-
sttutional? No, Sir, he would not admit its
constitutionality, because it is above the mouth
of the river, AID not immediately connected with
foreign commerce. Yes, Sir, | might exhaust
nv strength here, in vain, in showing the import
ance of the connexion of the Coosa and Tennes-
see rivers; should not get the vote of the gen.
tleman from North Carolina. If the proposition
for such an appropriation came from the Com
mittee of Commerce, indeed. then might. per-
hsps, get his vote. bnt not if it came from the
Committee on Internal Improvements. Mr.. B.
repeated that he felt himself called upon
to vote against the bill, because of its exclusive
nature, going to establish system of providing
for the Improvement of the mouths of rivers. BAYS,
&c. and neglecting the whole interior interests of
the country. He was for improving the means of
domestic as well az foreign intercourse and COM
merce. 1t the exclusive system proposed by this
bill was persevered in. the people whom he rep
resented would derive no benefit whatever from
the expenditure of public money. He believed
this to be rs much an internal Improvement bill
as any bill of that nature introduced at the pre-.
sent session: OF its cOnsbtuti0nality he had no
doubt: but he denied the expediencv of thus IL
hitting and partially carrying the principle into
effect Whenever measures should come before
the House which do look to the great interests
of the country--to those of the country beyond
the Allegheny, as we'll as that on this side of it,
his opinion on Tho subject would be found to he
the same now as it always had been In selE-de-
fence said he, we of the West must vote against
such partial appropriations Of che public money
as are embraced in this bill. or else we shall be-
come but hewers Of wood and drawers of water:
we shall feel the blessings of Government in
the burthens which it imposes, and not in the
benefits which it confers.
Mr.. Barringer again rose. 1t had been his
practice, he said, to vote for what he deemed just
and expedent, no matter by what committee the
measure was reported. In regard TO the question
before the House. he said. his rule was this: that
IL lac found the object connected with the com
merce Of the nation. and calculated to benefit that
commerce. he deemed the object Legitimate, and
he gave it his support. For instance: the mouth
Of The Mississippi. one of the items of this BILL
was important TO the commerce of all the great
rivers which flow into it. and he could not hest
tate to support the appropriation; and If gentle
men would point out any objects not leading to
some port. and calculated to facilitate the COM
merce Of the country. he would agree to strike 1t
out. On the lakes he knew there were ports, and
these were necessary to the great and growing
commerce of those waters, and he was as ready
to support legitimate objects in the west as the
east. He would not condescend to inquire what
part of the country the object was to benefit, so
it was proper. fit came from the gentleman's
Mr. Bair's) committee the Committee on Inter-
nal Improvement he would support it just as soon
as fit came from anv other He would leave 1t
to that gentleman 10 say how he could now op-
pose measures which he had formerly supported.
because he thought the conduct of other improper
or inconsistent. For himself. Mr., B. said. seeing
nothing IL this bill variant from what he had al
WAYS snpUorted, he should give it his vote
Mr. Whittlesey. believing that further debate
would not change single vote, moved the previ-
Gus question.
The motion was sustained, and the question
being put on the passage Of the bill, it was carried
by the following vote-Yeas lS6, Nays SIS.