Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1843-02-21

HARBORs ON LAKE MICHIGAN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. /,


On motion OF Mr.. FL. DODGE, the COM
mitee took up the bill for the protection Of
commerce on the western shores of Lake
Michigan.
Mr.. Gave Johnson moved as an amend
ment provlso that the officers perform
this duty without any additional allowance
Of pay; which was agreed to.
Mr.. Merjwether inquired as 10 the ne
cessty OF having SO many ports upon the
lakes, and what was the amount appropri-
ated?
Mr.. Kennedy,o Maryland, chairman Of the
committee on commerce, stated that the
whole subject had been three times referred
to that committee, and their report invaria-
hlyhad been in favor of the appropriation. If
there was any subject which challenged
the paternal consideration of the Govern
ment, it was surely the erection OF neces-
sary harbors for the accommodation and
safety Of our people engaged in the navi-
CATION Of our own internal seas. Very hea-
w and disastrous losses had been sustain
ed, and were constantly occurring, for
want Of such places Of refuge from the
sudden storms to which those lakes were
known to be exposed.
Mr.. Howard inquired Of Mr.. Kennedy
how soon the house might calculate on re-
ccving from his committee the General
Harbor Bill!
Mr.Kennedy replied that it was in prepa-
ration. and was nearly ready to be report
ed. 1t would have been before this time,
had not the committee been occupied with
a press Of other matter.
Mr.. Meriwether could not unde rstand
why we were TO have two harbor bills re.
/ ported. He could no. see why the har-
! bors in the territories were to be presented
to the house in distinct bill Were no
| harbors in the States OF as much consc.
quoDce and as worthy Of the attention OIL
the house as those Of the Territories? For
his own part he was opposed to the whole
system, though there might perhaps be
one or two appropriations he should be
willing to vote for.
4 voice; what are they"
Mr.. NJ. said he would tell gentlemen
that, when the proper time should come
He again urged his objection to having
these works in separate bill. 1t seemed
! intended that there should be an appeal tc
thes ympathiesof the house for these terrific
ries because they were as yet feeble, ant
thus to anticipate the action Of the house
upon them, and give them better chance
! than if they were mixed up with others in
a general bill. He thought this NANTES
injustice. Put all on an equal footing
whether in the North, West, East, OIL
South. Were there any estimates on which
these appropriations were founded
Mr.. Dodge. Yes, here they are.
Mr.. Meriwether. By whom done.
Mr.. Dodge. BY the United States En-
gineers.
Mr.. NJ. Yes, some six or seven years
ago. But it was notorious that these works
being on the sandy beach of an open lake,
were subject to great changes by the sweep
Of the currents and the violence Of the
winds. What would be sufficient for har-
Dor one year would not be the next: they
were constantly changing. Mr.. NJ. in
voked the aid Of his friend from Mississip-
pi, mir. Thompson who had been little
time ago IN such terror for the Treasury.
Where was he? There was no money in
the Treasury; and was it proper TO enter
upon appropriations for works of this kind,
when every dollar expended upon them
would have to be borrowed. He hoped
his friend would show the same zeal now,
and would take strong ground against all
such expenditure of the public treasure
Mr.. NJ. should oppose it, not only on the
ground taken by that gentleman. but be-
cause i, was thus separated from other ap-