The pilot. [volume] (Baltimore [Md.]) 1840-1840, 1840-04-14
REMARS OF Mr.. POPE
ON THE RED RIVER RAFT BILL.


House OF Representatives March 3, 1910.
The business before the House being the mo-
ton of Mr.. BIDDLE to instruct the committee, TO
whom was referred the bill from the Senate ap
pIopriatng 1885 900 for the removal of the Red
River Raft, TO inquire
l. Whether the advance ofmoney ofthe Bank
of Arkansas, which it is one of the objects OF
this bill to reimburse, was not made with full
knowledge that the agent of the United States,
who effected the loan, was acting in defiance OF
positive Instructions from his superioIS as well
as in The face of a known refusal by Congress TO
appropriate money to the work.
g. Whether the estimate on which this bill is
founded was not made by said agent prior to tn
closing up of the Raft in August last and wheth-
er any SatisfactoryIdata exists for computing the
probable cost OF removing the present impedi-
ments to navigation.
| 3. Whether the sum appropriated by this bill
| is called for in the estimates accompanying the
| Presidents Message
A. Whether the bill is not of such character
| that it ought to have originated in this House.
| MY principal objection to the instructions NOV
ed, (said Mr. Pope,) is that they may occasion
delay in the passage of this, bill. One ground
| assumed by the gentleman is, that the Senate
ought not to originate large appropriations OF
| money, because all bills for raising revenue must
commence in this House. There is, indeed,
some appearance of fitness and plausibility in
but respectfully submit TO his candid consdera-
ton, whether that question has any necessary
connexion with this particular bill, and, if the
long usage of this Government is to be changed,
would it not be more proper to settle the general
principle by declaratory resolution, without
reference 10 any particular measure? | am OPP
posed (said Mr.. P.) to a reference ofthis subject
to the Committee on Roads and Canals, or that
on Commerce. The expediency and necessity
of this work have been long since decided on by
the proper committee and Congress, and it only
remains for the Committee of Ways and Means
to provide the funds; and | must, therefore, in
Sst that the bill be referred 10 that committee
This bill, for commercial and military purposes,
is not liable to the constitutional objection To the
appropriation proposed for the Cumberland Road,
and prompt action on the part of Congress is de-
manded by the interest of the Government and
the commerce and safety of the people on Red
river | will not pretend, (said Mr.. P) that
have any invincbe constitutional difficulty
about the Cumberland road, great national
work, TO which, under other circumstances,
should be induced TO lend my feeble aid but am
not prepared to force appropriations on the Ad-
ministration against their will and beyond their
means, and thereby furnish pretext for loan,
Treasury notes, or new taTeS. We are, indeed,
Continued MIR. P.) in strange condition. This
nation of seventeen millions, the second com
mercial people on the globe, in time of pro-
IOunQ peace, Will no tuCIly eACcpt dUOut OUU Vi
1000 Struggling Indians and runaway negroes,
has not revenue sufficient TO meet the ordinary
and current expenses of the year. The Pres-
dent told us in his message, in December, that
our Treasury was in good condition--that all was
wel-and vet in six weeks afterwards, he in
formed this House that the strong box was empty
and that we must try the credit system once
more, by an issue of nearly five millions of
Treasury notes to pay our debts. fine COM
mentary, indeed, on this hard-mouey Govern
ment II seems to me Continued Mr.. p that
we must have an efficient sci of political mana
gers at The helm of State. feel confident that if
we could put bold and enlightened statesman,
another Alexander Hamilton, at the head of the
Treasury Department, with authority to devise
ways and means for our delverance, that in one
hundred and twenty days, the sun Of confidence,
credit, and prosperity would once more shine
forth and dissipate the gloom and despair which
now pervade this free and once prosperous people.
| remain reluctant (said Mr. P to vote for
large appropriations during the present Congress
for another reason. The party nov in power
have had monopoly of all the hohors, emolu-
ments, and patronage of this Government for the
last twelve years, ending on the Sd d;y of March,
lS41, and we ought not to compel item to retire
from power with the specie boxes all empty. II
1t would seem that fairness and derency would
require the present incumbents to leave General