The Arkansas advocate., 1835-01-16
SENATE, Tuesday, December Is.

SENATE, Tuesday, December l6.
 On motion of MT. Tipton, the resolu- ton submitted by him few days since, directing an inquiry into the expediency of making an appropriation to improve the navigation of the river Wabash, was taken up for consideration.
 Mr. T. said The resolution now before the Senate is to renew an effort to obtain an appropriation to improve the navigation of the Wabash. It is with great relue- tance l obtrude myself upon the notice of the Senate but this subject is of such vital importance to my constituents, that cannot let 1t rest without making another effort to serve them. The feeble state of my health will compel me to condense what desire to say at this time in relation to the subject. Bills have passed hoth hou- ses of Congress at different sessions appro- pfiating money to improve that river, but to these bills the President oi the United States has refused his sanction. under mistaken idea. 1 have no doubt of the claims of the river, and the facts Of the case. consider 1t due to myself, and not disrespectfui 10 the President of the United States, 10 state, that ] differ from him in opinion III relation to the power to improve the navigation of our rivers. lie does not feel authorised to sanction appfopria- tions 10 improve rivers, unless Il be such as lead to ports of entry established by law, and has more than once refused his sanction to bills for improving the Wabash.
 1 am confident that the power exists to i appropriate noney to improve our rivers in any portion of the U. States, where ihe l business of the couatTy and the capacity i of the rivers, require Improvement. 1 have no fears in trusting all the money in the Treasury to the discretion of the appro- priating power, to be applied 10 such ob- $ jects as the interests of the country may require. Under the supervision and con- troi that the people hold over their public servants through the ballot box, all is per- tectly safe.
 The President in his Message, returning the last bill to the Senate, had signifed, that, if a port of entry was established on the Wabash, it would bring an appropria- ton to improve this river within the rule tha: has been laid down for the government of his own action in such cases. 1 con- sider it due to myself, and not disrespect- ful 10 the President, to state, that l differ from him on this subject; and, without being able to perceive either the wisdom or the justice of this rule, have determin- ed, from the necessity of the case, to con- form toit. so far as 10 ask the Senate to pass bills for port of entry at Lafayette, and appropriating monsy to improve the river !; and hope that honorable Senators will look at the justice of this application, and give it their sanction.
 i At the last session of Congress the bill for improving the navigation of the Wa bash was laid before the President on the 2Sth of June, two days before Congress adjourned, and on the 30th of that month, the last day of the session, we received a verbal message through our committee, in- forming us that the President of the Uni. ted States had approved and signed all the bills passed at the then sessions of Con- gress, except that for improving the Wa UdSu anu dS lildl Dlil ilVOlVeQ Il question of importance, 1t was retained for further consideration. In his message, returning the bill to the Senate a few days ago, the President stated, that he had not been able to satisfy his mind that the bill ought to pass; and he goes on to state bis objec- tons against extravagant appropriations for internal improvement, and he argues over again the case of the Maysvile road 2 bill, but says not word as to the merits or demerits of the Wabash bill, against which I contend that no sound reason can ! be produced, drawn from the constitution or practice of this Government from its foundation: nor am able to discover any necessary connection between the Mays < vile road bill and the Wabash bill The former provides for local object, the con- struetion of road from one point to an- other, within State: the latter provides means to improve an ;mportant river. the line of demarcation between two States :; reserved public highway for all the peo- pie of the United States, as shall present. 1 ly show.
 The common phrase, internal improve