The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1844-01-17


appropriated for the improvement of the Western
waters, and now the estimates only call for 1923 900
10 DC appropriated Tor the same objects and II the
resolution OF the gentleman from Kentucky should
DE adopted, this amount OF money would keep all the
snag boats necessary for that purpose He hoped
gentlemen would not vote against this resolution but
allow II to pass, that the interests OF the West may
not be lost sight of but he greatly regretted that he
Mr.. 7 had not embraced in his resolution an APP
preparation for the Oho, above the falls.
In the course OF his remarks he said that he felt
bound to reply some Of the remarks Of the gentle
man from Pennsyv MIR. Stuart who sand that
those who voted for the improvement of the Western
waters upon constitutional grounds, had yielded the
question every point, and were compelled, to be
consistent, TO vote for improvements in every other
section of the country. To this doctrine he was op-
posed altogether, and said that the Western waters
stood upon different ground to that Of roads and ca
| mails, which embraced in the exploded American
system. He would also state for the information of
| the House. that surveys had been made under
other administrations before the veto of the MAYS
vile Road Bill, by General Jackson as stated in that
| message which would cost ticO hundred millions of
dollars TO complete yet that gentleman had said that
by cutting OH the tariff the prosperity of the country
had been ruined, when the whole country know that
Its industy had been Frustrated by this very Ame-
rican system, which had induced the States TO en-
Dark IN II, without any prospect whatever of reaZ
ing the deusion which had been held out to them by
THIS exploded system If this appropriation of t,uo
hundred millions had not been cut off by the veto of
General Jackson, what would now be the condition
of the country The gentleman from Pennsylvania
had gone into this question: from the remarks which
fell from the gentleman from Missouri, Mr.. Bow
linz who said, let Congress reduce the tariff to a
revenue standard, and then the Government would
be enabled to make these necessary and constitutions
al improvements. Now, let the House test this beau
tiful protective tariff system. In 1892 under high
tar before The Compromise act, from the report of
the Secretary of the Treasury ii appears that only
Sly OUU 900 had been received from the stoms IN
carry on this splendid American system. He was
opposed to such a delusve policy, but he was in
favor OF revenue tariff which would bring into the
Treasury adequate means for the economical support
OF the Government, and if there any to spare he
would then not only vote for appropriations for the
Western waters but for the Hudson if it was not a
spring branch, as asserted which he believed no.
So except IN comparison with the great Misss
sipPla common highway according to the ordinance
OF 1857, and which brings 1t whn the constitutional
jurisdiction Of this Government He was in the Le-
glslature OF Indiana, minority Of 10, when this
| logrolng system was going on, against which he
protested at the time, and the effects of which have
Frustrated the energies of that State by involving her
IN heavy debt, which would have to be paid by the
sweat OF her honest and industrious citizens 1t is
true that the people of the West have complained of
neglect; but they have asked Congress to ap-
propriate one dollar for them which was not clearly
| constitutional Their complaint rested upon the
ground that liberal appropriations had been made for
Improvements in other sections of the country-such
as the Breakwater in the Delaware-of no practical
use whatever, while the Mississippi had been neglect
ed and the consequence has been great loss of life
among whom are some of the best citizens of the
country. He hoped the resolution would not be re-
considered
Mr.. NORRIS explained, and sa d when the Break
water was completed it would be practicable but in
an diminished state IT was of little use and it would
be wrong to abandon il now as was fast approach
ing to completion, and after having cost SO much
| time and money.
Mr.. SMITH said there were others, which he
would not now mention but in candor and sincerity
he always felt very distrustfu when Congress was
called upon 10 make appropriations for fear il would
transcend the bounds of the Constitution.
Here the House received a message from the Pre-
sIdent of the United States through the hands of his
private secretary.
Mr.. STUART, Of Pennsy lvania, said he was not
present when the gentleman from Ohio Mr.. w eer)
had stated to the House that his remarks in relation
to MrVan Buren,, being oppo; ed to internal improve
ments were untrue; and he would at the proper time
brand him with the falsehood upon his forehead and
II not, he would take the brand himself Upon that |
ground he was ready TO meet the gentleman and he |
should take the brand.
Mr. WELLER said, in the Intelligencer the gen. !
iieuan is reported (and he presumed he report
cd correctly to have stated to the House that NJ
Van Buren, had instructed the Secretaries who made
out the estimates 10 withhold them, which he did
pronounce untrue and the gentleman made another
! statement-that Mr.. Van Buren, would have vetoed
! the bill embraciTg these esiimats, if If had been
presented TO him. In 1885 he signed the bill making
| an appropriation for the Cumberland road which
proves this statement also untrue.
Mr. STUART denied the report Of the Intelligent
GER and said that he did not state a fact but
presumed" it to he so.
Mr. WELLER; Here is the gentlemans Ian.
guage, and there is no presumption but positive
assertion of the fact. Does he suppose that the
members of this House do not understand the English
language Here they quite clear and explicit
and any one read TIE paper aud he felt bound to
pronounce the statements untrue in every essential
particular.
Mr.. SMITH, Of Illinois, then took the eoor. and
spoke against reconsideration Of the resolution and
IN favor Of the improvement of the Western waters
which come within the constitutional jurisdiction
oil Congress. IL was his opinion that the interests
OF the West had been long neglected and it was time
something should be done but he ridculed in a most
sarcastic manner the bait which had been thrown out
by Mr.. Stuart, Of Pennsy lyana 10 catch the West
and make them acknowledge the cOn-titutionality Of
the ,exploded American sy stem He said the people
OF the West had been ground down by this system Of
indirect taxation long enough and II was time they
should cut themselves loose from such plundering
system, which. only tended to the enriching Of the
importing merchant and the manufacturer at the ex.
pense OF the hardy and industrious yeomanry Of the
country.
Mr. HAMMETT here offered an amendment to
the resolution, as follows
"Thst the Committee of Ways and Means inquire
into the expediency Of making necessary oppropri-
alton for the Improvement Of the Mississippi and its
tributaries"
II was objected TO.
Mr.. WIN Ton then took the floor, and wen, into
constitutional argument in favor Of the internal inn
provement system generally.
The question further debated by Mr. |
HARDIN, Of Illinois, and Mr.. BARNARD, Of New
York. who commended for the constitutional power Of
Congress TO make roads and canals under the autho
With
and among the several States and with the Indian
trlbesn
Mr.. CAVE JOHNSON then gave his views on the
vote he had gwen for reconsidering the resolution
and SAID when the question up in another shape
he should vote for appropriation for the Mssisp
d. but he should cut of the Hudson