The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-21
CON RES sIoN AL.
SPEECH OF MR.. FARAN,
OF OHIO,


The House being in Committee Of the Whole on
the state Of the Union Mr.. FARAN addressed the
committee as follows:
Mr.. CHAIRMAN; I shall endeayor to repay the in
diligence extended to me yesterday by the commit
tee by consuming little time as possible in pre-
senting the reasons that induce me TO support the
main features Of the bill now under consideration
! am Of the number Of those, Mr.. Chairman, who
believe that il is within the power Of Congress 20
maize appropriations for objects national IN their
character, and which cannot claim the attention OF
The States in their individual capacity. am not OF
the number Of those who believe that Congress has
the power 10 make appropriations for general sys-
ten Of internal Improvements regardless whether II
embraces objects local national IN their character.
And when am called on to vote for an appropri-
alton for any work or improvement, must be salts
fed that such work or Improvement is national in
its character, and beyond the power OF the States.
And in addition to that, must also be satisfied that
il is necessary and proper; for proposed work or
Improvement may be national in. its character, and
yet there may be no real use for it. Nationality
and utility must be,combined in an improvement to
insure Il my support.
am aware, Mr.. Chairman, that the considers
tons that should give work or improvement ma
tional character are not settled so definitely as 10
leave no doubt in the judgment of every representa-
tive when particular work or improvement is pre-
sented 10 his mind whether such is its true charac-
TER The constitution has not defined these eonsid-
aaiions, nor has Congress any power 10 pass law
defining them that would be of any binding force
bsyond the Congress that passed il.
should like TO see an amendment OF the censti-
tuition that would settle how far the power Of Con-
kress should extend in making appropriations for
such improvements ~ sre contemplated by this bill,
well as for other works. A proper settlement OF
the doubts that now exist in relation TO this matter,
would hsvea happy effect upon the public mind
and upon the deliberations Of Congress-. Such a
thing, however, cannot be easily accomplished, de-
srable az il may be. As it is, these considerations
must be drawn from a proper construction Of the
constitution, under the guidance Of the best lights
before us, and with judgments influenced by the
oath We have taken to support that constitution.
And in giving construction to the powers vested
by the constitution in Congress, as well as IN the
other departments Of the government, am inclined
TO lean to STRICT rather than loose construction;
believing that there is much mare safety in such
rule than in its reverse, and this for reasons that
must suggest themselves to every rejecting mind.
Iapproved of the veto Of the Maysve read bill;
and approve Of the principles upon which that
government from bankruptcy, and the muses. OF the
people from being ground to the earth by taxes col
lected through the instrument Of high tariff, and
from being pundered NJ their substance by bank
Of the United States. For had the principle OF that
bill prevailed, there were objects in contemplation
for appropriations which, had they succeeded, would
have involved an expenditure Of upwards Of two
hundred millions Of dollars. The veto Of that bill
10 not among the least Of the acts Of that usirous
man that will contribute TO make his name ever
dear to his countrymen.
But in relation TO the improvements contemplated
by this bill, appropriations for the same and for
similar objects have been sanctioned by the author
Of that veto; thereby indicating, by his approval OF
them, his solemn conviction that the principles Of
the bill before US, and the principles Of the Mays
VILE road BILL are not similar, but altogether differ
ent, as, in truth, they are And not only did Gem
eral jackson sanction appropriations for objects
similar to those contemplated by this bill, but Mad
consructionis of the constitution, approved OF SIM
liar bills, and acknowledged the power Of Congress
to make appropriations for such objects. .
1t is true that this power may be abused. But
what power with which Congress is invested can.
not be abusedi Liability to be abused is insepara.
rable from power while lodged in imperfect beings.
II the temptation to abuse particular power is too
strong to be resisted, such power should never be
parted with by the people; and power of this
kind consider the power to issue paper curren-
cy. But the power to tax, and the power to dis
tribute what you raise by taxation are powers with
out which no government could well succeed; and
yetitis easy to see how each may be abused. No
one will seriously contend. however, that because
Of their liability to be abused government should
not possess them The restraint with us is in the spe-
cihc Limitations imposed on their exercise, and in
the accountability Of the representative to his con-
stituents ..... ....
It was well said by the gentleman from Indiana,
lMr. PETTIT,] in his remarks on this bill, that IT
the rigid rule laid down by some for constituting the
constitution were to prevail, we could scarcely move
without violating that instrument. The gentleman
from Tennessee, Mr.. JOHNSON on yesterday, con-
tended that the constitution should be encased in
this jacket, that would scarcely leave it pow
Ill c.
ago, I had the pleasure Of hearing that gentleman
make most eloquent appeal in behalf Of the sol.
diers of the revolution and Of the late war, and Of
the surviving widows and heirs Of such Of them
as had died. Now, l wish he would tell this
House from what part Of the constitution
he derives the power to make appropriations
to pay pensions OF soldiers Of the revolution,
or Of the late war, and particularly to pay
pensions Of the widows and heirs Of such SOL
diers. am satisfied that we have such power, not
directly given but fairly and Justly inferrible from
what is given; but not more 90 than the power to
make appropriations for the objects contemplated
by this bill IL his rigid rule were to prevail, our
whole system Of pensions, except in cases where II
was part Of the contract Of enlistment, would he
swept by the board and our old soldiers who fought
our battles or their destitute widows would have TO
depend on other bounty than that now doled out to
them by government. .,.
Where do we get the power to make appropra.
tons to pay fishing bountes There is no clause
in the constitution comforting it directly. II is
justly deducible however from some that direct
ly given and very proper to be exercised. tits an
indirect way Of supporting navy-a cheap wav
too. IL is the encouraging OF nursery Of hardy
adventurous, and brave seamen, who are to man our
vessels in case we get into war with foreign
power. Yet the power tn make these appropra-
tons cannot be more clearly deduced from &c
knowledged powers, than can the power to make an.
preparations for the objects contemplated by this
bill
Where do you get the power to make approprs-
lions for the building Of forthcatons lighthouses
the construction Of piers, the improvement Of hsr-
bors on our seacoast, and variety Of other objects
not necessary nov to be enumeratedi Not from
any express grants in the constitution but properly
inferribIe from those that are expressly given. Yet
Ivenure to say, with all Difference to those who
maintain the opposite ground, that the power 10
make appropriations for the objects Of the bill now
under consideration, is not more doubtful, or Of
more strained inference, than that which admits our
making appropriations for the objects have speci
fed.
am satisfied that for objects such as those EN-