The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-01-19

rsconsidsred-ayss o. n. This vote then brought
the resolution before the House. the same ~ "n'n
Mr.. SMITH, Of indiana, then went into very clear,
right and power under the constitution to improve the
nsvig of Ohio and Mississippi equally AZ much
she had the right improve the bays hsrbors, and
coasts of the Atlantic states More money had been
pended the Delaware alone than upon the
government Light houses and piers the seaooard
necessary to protect our foreign commerce
han snag boats and other means were ON the
western rivers to protect domestic commerce. He
hoped the House would act in spirit Of justice TO the i'm
interests of the great West and look calmly
onand the enormous destruction Of lives and property
week after week. which in the power of Congress
to and stinot make prevent these dis
asters be was opposed to the tariff which only brought
Sl30O0OO OF revenue, and thought Gen. Jackson did
right in We Ding the Maysvie Road Bill.
MI STEWART, OF Pa who Just entered the House, I'M
dsrsand sir the gentleman from Ohio has asserted that
what said yesterday about Mr.. Van Burens policy to-
wards the west untrue and that he proved he wish
take up the gauntlet he has thrown down; and VIII I'M
dertake to prove by Mr. Van Burens own hand that he
was entirely opposed the principle ofnternal improve
ments in the and elsewhere and that he even SAID
that the the States themselves would not give
the government Congress- the right to make those i'm
provemens in the western and other States And shall
prove this sir. by Mr.. Van Burens hand and then
the brand of falsehood will be placed the gentle
mans brow
WELLER Sir, he said that MIR. Van Buren, withheld the
House had voted for the necessary appropriation that
road that even then Mr. Van Buren, would have vetoed
the bill. He undertakes to say what Mr.. Van Buren,
would have done, and say that this is untrue, sir.
Much sensation)
srEwAnr-sir made no such statements al the gentle
man says made But did say that Mr. Van Buren, with
held the appropriation for that road and that according
his own declarations the presumption that he would
veto the Bill According to his own line OF policy he
could not do otherwise
Here several of the members crowded down in front
Mr. Stewart all standing up and much excitement pre-
vailed and several cried out, Oh, oh, oh the pre-
sumption, eh !"
WELLER-Sir, have the report of the genteman's
words in the National Inteigencer and the report is
for that paper (pointng to the ntelgencer desk
reports more accurately than the others pointing to the
STEWART know nothing about the report sir
WELLER-It is true, sir.
STEWART We'll, never said any such words.
Here the speaker raped his hammer and called all to
order.
Mr. SMITH, of Illinois, then made very brief but
very excellent and powerful speech in avoro improving
the great western rivers He also stated that he had just
received letter detailing the terrible suferings endured
the unfortunate people that were on the SRepherdess
when she was lost and that they very much
severe and horrible than the newspapers had described
them to be- Amongst others, strong that was
saved endured so much from cold exposure and exetion
hat he had been confined to his bed ever since and his
life despared of If such the suferings
of young and robust man, how dreadiuy must
been those of and children He represented
two hundred and fifty miles OF coast and knew the
wants Of the people there and their losses In s4l the
loss at ST. Louis alone 100000; and all this
rers. The Mississippi valley could supply the whole
country with all she wanted in of The State
IL
could furnish food enough for the whole United States
Ought not something then, to be done for the improve
men OF me waters OF those territories He was in favor
81 improving all the navgabe rivers of the Countrywide
Hudson, and all; and although might be called ogro
ng he hoped the House would meet this most important
question in proper spirit and make liberal but judicous
npsSp'l'0n' Tor the OF all the rivers and
Mr.. vNroN, Of Ohio, made very sound argument to
show that by the ordinance of 1857 and the deed of
sion by Virginia to the United States Of the Ohio Missis
sippl &c which he considered as solemn compact en-
md
people Of the North Western Territory that Congress
had the power and right to improve not only the Ohio
md Mississippi but all the navigable waters running into
those rivers the public highways, well all the navi-
gable waters running into the Upper Lakes and empty
.ween Virginia. when she made the cesson, and the
United States that Congress should keep all the navgabe
forever This compact began to he negotiated in
$50 and was concluded il lisa and may be found among
he records Of that period and the under
his authority collection districts and ports of entry
were made at Pittsburgh Louisville Natchez &C. in 1907
and by the same authority Congress had power improve
those waters The Constitution coner Congress the
anne power to aid among the States that il
Ices to regulate Foreign Commerce He hoped to hear
no more talk about Congress not having the right i'm
those rivers But he wished to all local ques-
ions and jeaousies set aside and the question fairly
his would satisfy the people of this country
Mr. HARDIN, OF Illinois, followed on the side and
made avery able convincing speech but he talked
fast aonishngly fast and his IDEAS owe so much
aser even than his powers ofutterance that il
he pow Of any human being to report him | could
give You the words they reached the reporters desk
Dut they would look much like carica'urc and would
be doing very talented such injustice that
send them.
Mr. BARNARD-I am sorry sir to the strong dispo-
ston manifested by this House to loose from every
other section OF the country except the West It needed
not the late calamity to induce this House to the
essy Of making these appropriations for the Western
lvers nave long known the great hazard to and sacr-
fee Of property there and could efectually clear
all those distractions at once and forever would vote to
ney: But your best engineers tell must be gradual
workdone year by yearand continued perhaps forever
or so long as the character OF the country through
which these rivers How remains what it s For the last
TWO sessions sir, we have the bill for internal i'm
,rovements sleep on this table hut you've had the army
bill brought land then by regular system in this House
md the Senate, clause has been stuck into it making
appropriations for the Western rivers and there your i'm
movements have stopped The gentleman from South
Carolina Iolmes) can find is lawful by the
omake appropriations for the Mississippi river and
where else always excepting the harbor of Charleston
Laughter Now, sir, hope since he finds in the cons
ution the power to improve the Mississippi river that
hall have his vote to improve the Hudson river.
HoIMEs-But you won't get it. Qaughter)
BARN.RD-sir he can't refuse without being nconss-
ent with his own judgment. He finds the power make
internal Improvements the Western Rivers, in the
finance of 1887 By that ordinance all the navigable
vers that empty into the Mississippi and St. Lawrencs
IRE to be kept as common highways and are and for ever
Tet be free But, sir, there is express stipulation
hat the Government is to improve those rivers 1t is a
natter OF inference only But AUST inference Yet how
Ices the gentleman distinguish between the Western
Rivers and any other navgabe rivers the country that
ire free. Every nayigable stream is highway
W the settled law Of the country, much as the
Mississippi is. Every stream, either directly, by
ONE other stream runs into the ocean, and is therefore
lavigabe, and the Government has control them
The obligation, therefore of the government to improve
he Mississippi and the Western Rivers, growing ont OF
he fact that they navigabe and free, applies to all
oher streams in the country that navgabe and free
and that ground shall hail with joy the support Of
he gentlemen from the south this ground hereafter
But they say they for improving the Western Rivers
md perhaps the Lakes and yet refuse TO improve the
lhdson River which is actually the only outlet in the
United States to all those great Lakes Sir respect the
treat man who framed that ordinance, and consider
sdom adocument next to the Constitution itself But
agree with the principles OF ordinance, | must be
ealous if we of the north and the east
be cut adrift This would be dissolution of
he Union that | oppose Western know il is
rot necessary in order to get their appropriations to
cut off those for the North and East for they get
hem easier by going for But sir, gentlemen
plain that they have to pay for their land the west
low would they get III The gentleman from Indiana
avs that the who first goes into the western forests