The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-31
SPEECH OF MR.. PROFIT.
OF INDIANA,
ON THE CUMBERLAND ROAD QUESTION
HousE or REpaEsENrArIvEs, Feb. Is, Is4O

HoUsE or REPRESENTATIVES Feb l3, l84O
| The business before the House being the
memorial heretofore presented by Mr. DAVIS,
OF Indiana, from the National Road Conven-
ton, composed Of Delegates from the Ststes
OF Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, held at Terre
Haute, in the State Of Indiana, for the pur-
pose OF recommending such measures as
may be best calculated TO ensure the final
completion of the Cumberland Road, with the
least possible delay, in relation to which me-
mortal the three following propositions had
been submitted, viz
l. The motion Of Mr. DAVIS, that it be referred to
the Committee Of Ways and Means"
2. The motion Of Mr. CASEY, :. that the Committee
OF Ways aud Means be instructed to report bill APP
propriang hundred and fifty thousand dollars for
each OF the States Of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, be
expended the National Road in said States in the
year lS4O under the direction Of the War Department
said appropriation to be subject all the restrictions
and conditions Of former appropriations said road
And
8. The motion Of Mr. PIcxENs, that the memorial
DO committed to the Committee Of Ways and Means
with instructions TO consider the expediency Of report
ing bill in favor Of the measure"
Mr.. PROFIT rose and addressed the
House as follows:
Mr.. SPEAKER | am opposed, sir, to the
amendment of the gentleman from South
Carolina, (Mr. Pickens,) and in favor of the
instructions of the gentleman from Illinois,
(Mr. Casey.) concur, sir, with the gentleman
from South Carolina when he says that his
motion is perfectly parliamentary and will
further accord to the gentleman credit for his
unconcedled opposition 10 the proposed APP
preparations to the Cumberland Road. |
Il Ill ~,
and manly in their opposition. am oppos-
ed, sir, to the amendment Of the gentleman
from South Carolina, because it eyades di
rect issue, and throws upon the Committee OF
Ways and Means the responsibility of decld-
ing upon the merits of the appropriation, thus
superinducing delay, and rendering it difficult,
if not impossible, to obtain direct vote OF
the House during this session Of Congress.
am opposed to the amendment sir, because
the Committee of Ways and Means haze al
ready decided that they will not report bill
appropriating money for this work without
distinct instructions from this House, or upon
estimates to be made by the Secretary of the
Treasury. And, sir | am authorized to say
that the Committee of Ways and Means will
not report in favor of any other work, unless
it is endorsed by the Secretarys recommen-
dation, or accompanied by an order Of the
House. Sir, think the committee quite JUS
tifabe in coming to this determination. The
Secretary of the Treasury knows, or ought
to know, the resources of the Treasury
With knowledge of the available funds at
our disposal he is supposed to recommend
such appropriations as in his judgment may
seem proper and necessary. The Committee
of Ways and Means have the estimates of
the Secretary as their guide, and it would be
| imprudent in that committee to incur of them
selves the responsibility of departing from
the estimates placed before them by the pro-
per authorities. 1 am therefore in favor of
the instructions Of the gentleman fiom Illinois,
(Mr. Casey.) II affords us an opportunity Of
recording direct vote upon the proposition.
And, sir, we may as well debate the merits
Of the Cumberland Road upon these instruc-
tons as upon bill. All those who favor the
appropriation can vote for it now. To delay
the subject until the close of the session will
| not increase or diminish its claims upon Con-
gress. And, sir, we Of the. West demand a
vote upon this appropriation and that vote
may determine our course upon measures in
terestlng to other portions OF the Union.
The gentleman from New York Mr. Hof-
\ uidHI has ioiu Us that the lHStT are uiu-
sual, almost Unprecedented. | grant, sir, that
this proceeding is unusual; but the circun-
stances by which this subject is surrounded
are also unusual, and justify this departure
from the usual form Of legislation. We wish,
sir, to ascertain, beyond doubt, the deerml'
nation of the Administration and its friends.
We wish TO see, early in the session, who
are and who are not our supporters We
wish the Administration to tell us plainly,
through lis supporters on this floor, why II is
that no estimate is made for this road We
wish to know why this work is abandoned by
this Administration as unworthy of its sup
port. We wish, sir, TO hold the Executive TO
strict accountability for his shutting, janus
faced policy towards us. And |, sir as one
of the Representatives from Indiana, will ne
yer consent to any proposition which will de-
prlye us OF direct vote upon the appropna-
ton required and demanded by the friends oil
the road.
We have been told, Mr.. Speaker, that it is
improper and unwise TO refer to parties, or to
allude TO the course Of the Administration on
this subject. We arc gravely informed that
IT is a matter Of litile consequence whether
the Administration is in favor of or opposed
10 this appropriation. We are asked whether
1t is to be supposed that the Executive exercises
t-s.ll, ... a.. u IL.