Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-06-30

ed for the yeas and nays 1t would make no
difference to him whether the sum proposed
was given directly as gratuity, or whether
some preteXt was inserted as a mere guise to
covert. WHAT'S the difference between giving
| or loaning to those from whom we expect no
| return, to relieve them from notorious insolven-
| cy! On yesterday We voted seventy thousand
dollars to pay the interest on the debt contract
| ed by the City of Washington to purchase stock
in this canal company. What was the induce
ment held out to us to make that appropriation.
What obligation were we under to redeem the
| promises unadvisedy made by Washington CT
ty? The only motive was one OF charity-pure
charlty-a very praise worthy motive, but one
which cannot properly enter into our consider
alton as legislators. We have no right to do
charitable acts atthe expense of othors. What
motive can be assigned for this appropriation to
the Company? Why, we are to save them from
bankruptcy. He denied that we can be nflu-
enced by such reasons Objects for relief
would present themselves more than sufficient
to exhaust the whole Treasury, if we listen to
such applications. Sir, said Mr.. B., have
heard much, during this session, of pfofuse eX-
penditure of money by this administration, and
have thought these charges well founded parti-
cularly as respects some of the Departments
With what proprety, he asked, can those on
this side of the house hereafter make such char
ges? When they do so, they will be shown
these two appropriations, that for Washington,
made yesterday, and this, if it should be made,
based alone on charitable considerations For
one, shall, said he if this amendment be adopt
ed, be compelled to say that charges like this
will come with bad grace from this quarter.
Mr.. BENTON referred to the'remarks which he
had made when the grant for this Canal was
made. He then contended that the United
States had become partners in bankrupt con-
Germ; and the application which had been now
made proved this to be the fact. He suggested
that access ought to be allowed to the accounts,
and that the Directors and their books ought to
be brought before Congress, to show what course
had been taken.
Mr.. Preston said, he had forcibly been struck
with the remarks of the Senator from Missouri
in relation to the proposition before them. One
step in matters of this kind, involves us in ano-
Their, and We are ever and anon called upon to
take further steps. He had already, in relation
to the Cumberland Road, said that the appropria-
ton already made furnished no reasons for 60
ing further; that it would be better, at all haz-
ards to go back; that it would be better to sui
fer those evils we now endere, than lily to others
that we know not Of" Yesterday, grant of
10000 dollars was made to the city of Wash
ington to pay the interest on their canal debt;
and to-day proposition is made to give to the
Canal Company 100000 to preserve them from
ruin Tomorrow a proposition of a similar
kind will be made, and there was no knowing
where these demands would end Why (said
reer of extravagant generosity? The city Of
Washington was said to be bankrupt and this
Canal Company was also said to be bankrupt.
Why, then, should we be deluded with the idea
of giving this money as a loan? 1t would be
nothing but salvo to our conscences for there
certainly never could be any rational eXpecta-
ton that the money would be refunded If we
do give any thing (said Mr.. P) let us give it
boldly, at once, as a gratuity. He had some
feeling for these people, but there was some
thing startling in the boldneSs of these demands.
We yesterday, said he, gave three or four dol
lars head to every citizen of Washington,
counting their population. They have been
| corporate authorities, elected by voters, many
of whom owned no property, and were there
fore not interested in the city.
Ii this money was to be considered as an
advance to this people, you contribute more
than the whole State of Pennsylvania ever did
to its whole population for a like purpose. That
! they deserved some compassion, he admitted,
but he would ask the Senator from Maryland
(Mr. CHAMBERs) ifthis appropriation were made
/! to day, whether more would not be asked for
on future occasion. If the gentleman from
| Maryland would 90 with him, he would be will
! ling to give to this Company and to the City of
Washington, as much as his sense of propriety
would admit, and what he thought ought to
relieve them from all their difficulties. That is,
he would be willing to give the Company the
million of dollars Already subscribed by Con-
gress to its stock, which would sell in the mark
ct, Notwithstanding its depreciation, for the
S250O00 they ask for. He was told that the Co
vernment was pledged for the redemption Of
the Holland loan to the City Of Washing ton.-
Now he was willing to redeem that pledge, for
(! which purpose he would give million of dol
lars more to- be released from that obligation,
provided the City and Company would agree
not call on Congress again.
| He regretted that this people had not been
more prudent in the management Of their funds.
1t was not doubted here, he said, but their eX-
penses have been most prodigal and wasteful.-
He had heard that they had expended the prin-
cipal part of their funds for Canal on the bor-
ders of tide water from Georgetown through
this City, thing never before heard Of He re-
peated he was willing to give million of ca
| nal stock held by the Government and even to
give million more for the Holland debt, pro-
yided Congress is not again to be called on,
and, if the Senator from Maryland would bring
forward such proposition, it should have
his hearty concurrence.
After some further remarks from Mr. CHAM