Maumee express. [volume] (Maumee City, Ohio) 1837-1838, 1838-05-19

heretofore supposed the getlemam from heu-
lucky to be closely connected. ". "a X
He did not intend to speak to this subject AZ
length. He had desired to, do SO at al early
stage Of the debate, and had twice endeavored
to get the floor without success; but while UP,
ne proposed to take avery brief and hasty view
of the subject. ..,s,., E
tits proposed to recommit this bill, IN order
to compel the committee (for instructions are
to accompany the fecommitment) to report
bill providing for the surrender ofthe Cumber-
land road to the States through which Il passes
in its present unfinished condition.
The first reason offered for this movement Is,
that the system Of internal improvements is
broken down, or lin the language Of the gen.
tleman from Kentucky "defitact," and there
fore the road should be abandoned Letussee
how this is. AS am informed, Mr.. Speaker,
there has been more money appropriated and
expended by the General Government on pub
lie works since the veto Of the Maysyile road
by Gen. jackson, than was ever expended for
ike purposes during the same length Of time
since the commencement of our Government.
Twill ask, then, when was it that our public
works became "deftnctp Certainly not dur
ing the late Administration Of Gen. Jackson,
for, by examination, 1t will be found that. not
withstanding his Maysvile veto, and his unfor-
tunate opposition to the general system and
works ofinternal improvement, (Which we con-
slider the vital and moving spring of our coun-
try's prosperity Congress has during the
whole of his Administration, made appropria-
tons for public works not only liberal, but to
degree, in many instances, bordering on profs-
sion, and even extravaganza, and the money 80
appropriated has been expended. During the
same period, Mr.. Speaker, the Cumberland
roaahas also received appropriations zach year
successfully, and to an amount greater than
in any other Administration. Nor is the work
abandoned by the present Administration.
The sums named in the bill are the estimate
of the proper Department (of War; itself,
given as the estimate for that particular pur-
pose. The gentleman is mistaken In assuming
that the works of internal Improvement are
now already dead, or even smutilated SO as to
render them inefficient in their progress to final
completion. No, sir, this particular work now
under consideration is in full progress, and the
system Under which it exists and lives is in full
operation.
We are further told that the system is par
tia, and the construction OF this road is partial,
nasmuch as it runs through and accommodates
only one section of the country; or, in other
words, that it does notrun through every State
in the Union, and by every mans door, and it
is not the Portland canal.
Sir, whatever may be thought Of these views,
whether or not they are such as we might ex-
pect to come from honorable, hgh-minded, ex-
perienced, and enlightened statesmen, who
control the interests and welds the 6es mics of
our country, l must be permitted to say that
the construction of this road does not depend
ON the general system of internal improvements,
though intimately connected with it. II had
its origin at an earlier date. It derived both its
existence and its character, as national toork,
long prior to the adoption of any general sys-
tenn Of internal improvements by the Govern
ment of the United States. 1t had it's origin in
1902, under the act authorizing the people Of
the eastern division Of the territory northwest
of the Ohio river (now the State Of Ohio) to
form Constitution and State Government,
and for its adoption as a State into the Union.
Yes, sir, the establishing of this road IS coeval
with the existence Of the State Of Ohio itself.
It is one of the conditions ON which she came
into the Union, and for which she paid condi-
ton, and such consideration as was thon de-
manded by the General Government. The
same condition exists as one Of the terms on
which Indiana and Illinois have come into the
Union, and for which they paid the like consid-
Grafton, and which ao,o forms compact, firm
and irrevocable by either party, SO long as the
other observes the conditions on their part to
be performed. The new States, then, havea
right to this road by compact ofa date as high
as the date of their several admissions into the
Union. And, sir, it was in the days of Mr..
Jefferson, and under his Administration, Zone
perhaps as well accredited, and as much extoll-
ed, as any with which our Government has ever
been blessed and when he had the abe coun-
sci of Madison, Gallatin, and a host of
worthless and patriots, that the construction Of
this road was commenced. 1t then had stamp
ed on its character Of a national yofk, and
the broad seal of Governmental approbation.-
1t then received its first impulse, which has
ever since been onisard, and has been sanction
ed by every subsequent Administration. Here
permit me to remark that it would seem that
thiswas enough to silence forever the objection
of unconstitutionality, which we SO frequently
here made, and echoed, and re-echoed through
this Hall. If any question can be put to rest
by continued uniform course of construction,
this has certainly been put to rest long since
That if any doubt should yet remain, it is re-
moved by the act Of congress relinquishing to
the States the road in each State as fast as fin
ished; and the reciprocal acts of the State Leg
islatures excepting the road as fast as finished,
and agreeing to keep it in repair, and to permit
the militia, the United States troops, and muni-
tions of war, SC. and the United States mail, to
be transported free Of toll. This is subss-
quent and distinct agreement, ratifying and
confirming all prior compacts and agreements,
and shows plainly the understanding both of
Congress and the States in relation to the sub
ject, and is joint construction by Congress
and The States that must and will he fyed and
permanent; settling the question that the road
is to be finished before it is relinquished to the
States.