Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-19

~ ~SAOSohS0 w SOIlSI0c ia reference
to them.
In order to understand why the States
exercised the kind of powers they were &C.
customed to do, at and before the adoption
OF the constitution, for the safety and faciI-
lily OF their commerce, ii is necessary to
bear In mind that they were then confin-
ed to the Atlantic coast, along which they
extended from New Brunswick to Florida;
and that their commerce with each other
was confined TO the coast and its bavs.-
On turning to their Legislation during that
period, it will be found that the powers
they exercised for that purpose were re-.
strIcted to theestabishment of light houses,
buoys, beacons, and public piers. They
are all of description well adapted and
necessary to guard against the dangers
and lmpediments to which such a COM
meIce as they then carried on was expo
sed; while they were, at the same time,
such as would be neglected, or not estab.
lished at all, unless the public took charge
of them; because individuals had neither
adequate motive nor power to establish
or attend to them. That the power to es-
tablsh them refers to that of regulating
commerce, may be certainly inferred from
the motives and object OF their establish
ment; and that commerce, in legal Ian
guage, embraces navigation as well as
trade, may, with not less certainty, be in
terred from the same circumstance, as
they relate directly and exclusively TO navi-
CATION. If we turn from the legislation Of
the States prior TO the adoption of the con-
slitution to that of the federal government,
it will be found that it confirms not only
| the correctness of these inferences, but
all that your committee has stated in this
connexion, as they will next proceed to
show.
So important was the power to regulate
commerce,and especially among the states,
regarded, that it was among the first sub
ects which claimed the attention of the 90
vernment alter it went into operation.--
On the 7th of April, 1889, just month
after the commencement of the govern
ment, an act of Congress became law
by the approval of the President, entitled
san act for the esta blishment of light
houses, buoys, beacons, and public peirs;"
that is, moles raised for the shelter of YES
| SGlS dRdIlSb vi H. 1t pIOFiuCS
that all the expenses, which shall accrue
for the support and maintenance and re.
pairs of such as were erected, placed, or
sunk by the States, before the passing of
the act for the safety and ease (taciIity)
navigation, shall be defrayed out of the
treasury of the United States, with the
proviso that the expense should not be
paid by the U. States after one year, I'M
less they should be coded and vested in
the United States by the States TO which
they belonged, with lands and tenements
appertainng to them. II also provided for
the erecting of lighthouse near the
entrance of the Chesapeake bay, and for
the expense of keeping, rebuilding, and
repairing OF the the establishment. These
provisions furnish conclusive proof that
the States under the power regulate COM
merce established lighthouses, buoys, bea-
, cons, and public piers; that Congress re
garded the power as delegated TO it, to the
same extent; that the object of the power
was the increased safety and facility oil
commerce along the coast; that it apper.
: tanned especially to the regulation of com.
; merce among the States, as the portion
Of the ocean in its vicinity is the great com
: mon highway of the commerce of the
: States bordering on ii; and that it embra.
. ced navigation as we'll as trade. 1t may
be added, in confirmation of the cOnstruc
+ ton which places this establishment IN
n der the control of the government, that i
g accords with the practice Of the govern
. ment of the country from which we derive
Il our language and origin; with this differ
:, ence, that there the establishment wa!
e principally under the control of incorpora
d i ton ,..,.rnnanes or individuals, bun suffice
0 to the legisIatio;c of Parliament, as mus
e have been well known to the trainers
our constitution.
: In carrying the power into execution
I Congress has studded the coast with llgh
o houses and beacon-lights, to guide IN safe
: ty the mariner by night on his voyage
d against the danger of capes, reefs, an'
a shadows, and has thickly planted buoy
e at the mouths of harbors and lnlects, tt
d point out the narrow channels througl
h which he may safely pass into them. |
t has gone further, and constructed pubIi
. piers, Including harbors of protection,
!. where vessels can take shelter agalns
o storm and ice, and annually expends
! large sum in repaing, supporting and en-
:, larging the establishment. To this ad
j. that the power, TO this extent, has been ez
e ercised by Congress from the begInnln
D. of the government until the present tlmf
without interruption or being serlousI
IT questioned as 10 It's constitutionallty, eIthe
.; in or out of Congress, during that lon
- period, and it may be safely inferred tn;
= they have not erred in placing the cor