The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1846-08-22

this subject, experience has denons'rs-
ted The wisdom Of the rule that all the
Ifunclionaries Of The federal government
should abstain from he exercise Of all
questionable or doubtful powers If ar
|enlargmenl of The powers Of The fedora
govern ment should be deemed proper
II is safer and wiser 10 appeal TO the
States and the people in The mole pres
cribed by the constitution for The gran
desired, Than 10 assume its excise
without an smendmsn, Of the constitution
II Congress does uot possess the genera
power 10 construct works Of internal
Improvements within the States, or 10
appropriate moIey from the treasury
for that purpose, wha, s there 10 ex
empt some. at least, of the objects Of
appropriation included IN this bill from
he operation OF the general rule? Thi,
bill assumes t2e existence OF the power
IN some OF its provisions asserts tire
principle, The Congress may exercises it
IS fully as though The appropriation.
which il proposes were applicable to
The construction OF roads and canals. II
there be distinction in prin ciple, it is
not perceived and should be clearly de.
fined. Some Of the objects of sppro-
priation contained in this bill ere local
in heir character, and lie within the
limits Of single Stale; ard though, il
The language Of the bill, they are called
ha'6OrS they are not connected with
foreign commerce, nor are they places
of refuge or shelter for our navy, OF
commercial marine on The ocean OF
lake shores. To call the mouth of a
creek, or a shallow inlet on our coss', q
harbor cannot confer the authority t.
.expend The public money IN its in
power coeval with the constitution, g.
establishing lighl houses, beac0ns, buoy
land piers en- our ocean snd lake shores
COR The purpose Of rendering Nsviga'o'
,are and easy; and of stlording prolec
Ition and shelter for our navy and olhe
shipping. These are safeguards place
IN existing channels Of navigation, AIie
he long scquIesceoce of The govern
ment lhro' ell The proceeding admin:
I,rstions, am not disposed 10 queslIo
lor disturb the authority to make apPrc
lpristions for such purposes.
When we advance stop hey ond hi
lpoin,, and in addition 10 Ihe es'ablIshmeI
and support, by appropriations from II
Treasury, Of lighthouses. beacons buoy
! piers aud other Improvements within 1t
J Ibays, inIets, and harbors on our ocean al
lake coasts Immediately connected "lIh O
! ICoreien commerce, and auemp' 10 make IT
provemenls in the interior al points unco'
lnec,ed with lnreign commerce, aud "he
.bey are no, needed (or 'be protecuon al
q Isecurity of our navy aud commercial M
rine, lhe difficulty aIises IN drawing N
, beyond which appropriations may not
made by The federal groverumtpn
One of my predecessors who seV
= evil consequences Of the syslom Fropo,
{ 10 be revived by ,h.s bill, attempted to
. iae This line by declaring that 'eSpen
- Nures of mis- character should be 'COnhl
d below the ports Of entry OF delivery es''
u rshtd by IawN Acung on 'his restrict"
y Inc wnhheld his sanction from bill Wh
n, oaj passed Congress TO improve The n
Ii hpauon oil the " abash RIVER He "a'
n he same llme 'senslble that this restrict
m was not as satisfactory as could be deal
,vi land that much embarrassment may be ca
~ lo The executive department IN Us execui
ldloy appropriations for remote aud no'
.donderslood objects This restriction
:, was soon found, was subject 10 be eVaC
aud rendered comparatively useless
" checking The system of lmprovemt
eo which II was designed 10 arrest, in col
ch quence Of The facility with which ports
Is Sentry and delivery may be established
'uI aw upon The upper waters, and IN s
in instances, almost al the head springs
10 some Of The most unimporanl' of orr ri,
llvland at noints on Our coast possessing