The Northern star, and constitutionalist. [volume] (Warren, R.I.) 1834-1837, 1834-11-29

such works WHEN carried on by state or by CON-
pany IN virtue OF State authority, snrrenderlng the
81 To the propriety OF approp rnton for improve
tnents Of particular class, VIZ: for light -houses,
bcacons buoys, public piers and for the removal Of
sipd bars. sawvers, aud o,h,r temporary and par
tlal lmpcdlmens IN our nav vgable rivers and har-
bors.
The claims of power for the general government
of he deepest interest. TIE first Is however Of much
the GRE aiest Importance, innsmch as IN addition 10
tie angtrs of unequal and mprovdenf exp ndli'res
ed TO thai Of The conflicting Jurisdictions o the re-
srcctive governments. Federal jurisdiction, al least
10 he extent have stated, has been Justly regarded
by It's advocates as necessarily appurteaant TO the
power in question, " that exists by the constitution.
That the most injurious Conflicts wOul Id unayodaby
arise b,twen The respective jurisdiction of the state
and federal governments, IN the absence of c0nst
,ttlonal provision marking out ihcir respective boun-
darh.s, cannot be doubted.
The local advantages TO BE- obtained would induce
the states Ia overlook IN the beginning The dangers
and difficulties {, which they might ultimately be
expos sd.-The powers exercised by the Federal
Government would soon be regarded with jealonsy
by the staie authorities, and originating they
nusr from impl c 'ion G assumption, II would be
Impossible to aflix 10 them certain and safe limits.
Opporiun ties and temptations to the assumption OF
power Incompatible with state sovereignty would be
increased and those barriers which resist the ten
dency OF our system toward consolidation greatly
weakened the officers and agents 0f the general
government might not always have the discretion 10
abstain from plermeddling with the state concerns
ad if they did. they would not always escape the
sdsIicon Of having done so. Collisions, and conse-
q,lent irriiafions, woulc s;ring up-tlIat harmony
which should ever exist between the general gov
rnlGent and each member Of the confederacy, would
b. frequently interrnpnd-a spirit Of contention
would be enscndered, and the dangers Of division
Yet we all know that Notwithstanding these grave
obiec ins, this dangerous docirine WAS al one time
apparently proe'ed,as to ily hnal eslasme9t m, with
government in works of internal improvement, Pre-
va l,d in tho highest degree during he first oesslon
o the first couness thai had the hGhor to meet IN
nv present situation. When the bill authorizing a
s.bs ripiion The Part Of The United Siates for
stock in the Maysville a1ld Lexington Turnpike
Compan cs passed the Two Houses there had been
report by The committees Of Internal Improvement
lis .ona!ning appropriations for such objects, ex-
elusive of those or the Cumberland road. and ur
harbors and light hnrses' te !hG amout OF about one
was included authority to nc Secretary oi The Treas
ury 10 subscribe for the stock OF different companies
grca extent, and the residue was Principally Tor
the direct construction OF reads by this Govtrnment
In addition 10 these projects, whch had been pre-.
senied to the two Houses, under the sanction and
accommodation Of Their respective committees on
Int rial improvements there wtre then still pend
ing before The commuters, and in memor ais to Con-
srtss, pres ned, but not referred, different project
for works of sma character, he exp of which
cnnno be estimated with certainty, hut must have
exceeded one hundred millions Of dollars.
Regard ng the bill authorizing u subscription to
the stock Of the Maysslllc and L. xingicn Turnpike
however weak al first, slt soon become strong
enough to rive the bands of the Uniun asunder, and
believing that " IT'S pass ,ge was aclll seed in by the
Executive and the people, there would no longer t.
any limitation upon the aLthoiity Of he Gen raj
Government in respect 10 the appropriation OF money
for such objects deemed il an Imperative duty 70
withhold from It the Executive approval Although, |
from the obviously local character Of that work,
might well have contentcd myself with a refusal to
approve he bill upon that ground, yet, sensible OF the
vital Importance OF the subject, and anxious that my
a r.0n Ia tbn t.,I..
should be fully understood by Congrsss and my COLI
stucn's, filt it my duty 10 go f'rher. therefore
emb; ac'd that carly occasion to apprzc Congress,
that, in my opinion, tie Constitution did not confer
upon II the power 10 authorize the construction OF
ordinary roads and canals within The limits of a
State, aud to say respectfully, that no bill admitting
such power could ret my Off al sanclior did
SO in the confident expec aion tnat the speedy set
tement Of the public mind upon the whole subject
would be greatly faci.itatedby the difference between
the two Houses aud myself aud that the harmonious
action Of The several Departments Of the F' deral
Government in regard to II, would be ultimately Sc
cured.
ect my best hope have been realized Nearly iour
vcnrs have elapsed and several essons OF Congress
lave d. sRd y, no ncs MY ~ ssrse
this power the appicit MS for the construction OF
roads and canals, which were iorilery multiplied
upon yo,r files no l"nTcr plcs,n,'d; and wehave
good reason 10 ucr that the c,rrnt Of public sentl-
mrnt has bee me decided against the pretcnslons
as esc ay 10 discourage ITS re-ass,rlion So think
ing derive the ar, at' ST Aatsf;cton from the con-
ycn, that thus much al least has been secured up
on thus important AMI erl agIassng subject.
From attempts 20 appropriate thr national funds 10
obiec' which cOnf'ss-dly o local characterize
cannot trUs, have any thing further to apprehend.
My views in re! aid to the expedency of making ap
propria,ions for wO.ks which are AIMED TO be OF
national character. and prosecuted under State au-
thorty, assuming that Congress have the feht to do
So v re stated IN my annlisl mes saee 10 Congress
IN $780, and also IN that containing my OBJECT 0ns to
he Maysvillc Road Bll;
ons ought he made by Congress. until suitable con-
s ut nal provision made upon the subject and % es
sen'ia do regard The point to tIs highest Interests OF
gng my ouy to my constituents In giving the Executve
sanction to any bill containing such an appropriation II
the PEOPLE of the United States desire that the public
shall be res1ed 10 for the means 10 prosecute
suth works they will; concur In IN amendment Of 'he
con sitution, prescribing rule by when the national
character of he works be tested and by which The
greatest practicable qualify OF benefits may ne secured
each member Of The con,ederacy Inc eHecs oi such
r, guIaon would be most sautary In preventing unpro
fl able IN securing our legislation from the
erncions consequences Of scramble for the hvo OF
Government and in repessing the spirit Of discomfort
whjcvm, st l. evaby arise from unequal distribution
Of treasures which belong alike t. all.
There is another class OF approrI ans lor VIVA. may
which have alw Us been regarded as standing upon dt
ierent grounds from those u which have REFEREED
iude such have for their object the improvement
of our harbors remova, of partial and empoiary OBJ
sruc in navuable rivers for the facility AID Sc
| curty Of our foreign commerce. he grounds upon
which distinguish al proprations Of this character from
Others have already been stated To Congress- w now
only add that at the first sessn n Congress- under the
new constitution provided by law that all expen
ses which should from and after the 18TH day o'
August, 1889, in the necessary support and maintenance
aud repairs I all light houses beacons buoys, aud pub
lie pes erected placed sunk, before the passage o
the act within any bay, inlet, harbo port Of the Uni
e states for renering The navigation easy and
safe should tcdcayed ont of the treasury of the Un ted
staes and further, that should he the duty Of the Sc
cre!ary the Treasury to provide by contract with the
probation Of The President, for rebuilding when neces
say, and keeping good repair the light onscs bea
cons buoys and public piers In the several States and
for furnishing them with supplies. Appropriations for
similar objects have been con inued from that time to the
the increase and extension Of
commerce. ports Of entry and delivery have been nult
pied and established not only upon our sesboard hui n
The interior of the country upon our lakes and navgab'e
,jyers. The convenience AID safety Of this commercs