Juliet signal. [volume] (Juliet [i.e. Joliet], Ill.) 1844-1???, 1846-08-04
U. s. SENATE.
HARBoRs AND RIVERS.
July 81, 1916.


sumed the consideration oft river and
harbor appropriation bill.
Mr.. Atchison moved the reconsidera-
ton ofthe vote by which the following
clause was stricken out of the bill:
For the Improvement of Little Fort
Harbor on Lake Michigan, twelve thou
sand dollars
Upon this motion a discussion ensued.
Mr.. Webster was in favor ofthe appro-
priation. go
Mr.. Sewer opposed the motion.
MIR. Davis expressed his views against
the appropriation.
Mr. Crittcnden spoke in favor Of the
bib generally. No one was more fully
disposed TO vote literally for the purpose
of the bill in order to promote all posi-
bic security for the lives and safety of
those placed at the mercy ofthe winds and
waves on the lakes and on the Atlantic.
But he was notdisposed to favor the am
bition of every rising village on the riv.
ers to obtain appropriations for harbors
where harbors were not necessary at all.
Was there not good reason for the sep
aration of such appropriations for little,
local, unimpcrtant interests as might lead
the Executive TO geto the entire bill.
Mr. Cass advocated the appropriation
in the amendment; arguing for it on the
grounds Of expediecy and constitutional
right. He denied that it was legislating
for mere local Views. 1t was the duty of
Congress to legislate with a regard to To-
cal as wellas general interests. He con-
trasted the Importance of harbors on the
lakes with the rivers. On the Mississip-
pi, and the great western rivers, every
species of craft could land at any point.--
But on the lakes, the God of nature had
imposed the most formidable difficulties.
He himself was once shipwrecked near
the town of Cleveland, and saved his life
at imminent hazard. He alluded to the
commerce of the lakes, and spoke of its
extent and Importance. Last year the
number ofvessels of all kinds navigating
the lakes was 495. and thirty were build.
ing. Thirty-six vessels had been driven
ashore, twenty total wrecks, and four had
foundered.
After few remarks in explanation and
in reply, by Messrs. Sewer and Atchison,
Mr.. Breese spoke in favor ofthe appro.
priation. He replied in an energetic and
able manner to the assertion that they
should not make harbors where nature
had not intended harbors to be made
That was the very reason why they
brought in art to the aid of nature. He
described the incalcuiable advantages OF
these appropriations in their reaction on
the public treasury. He pointed to Chica-
go and Milwaukee as examples ofthe ex :
traordinary progress of trade and COM
merce in consequence of these appropri-
atoms. The revenue was thus largely
augmented from the sale of public lands
in the neighborhood of the points where
these harbors were constructed.
After some further remarks by Messrs.
Haywood and Semple, the question was
taken by yeas and nays, and resulted as
follows:
YEAs--Messrs. Allen, Ashley, Atchi-
son, Barrow, Berrien, Breese, Bright,
Cameron, Cass, Thomas Clayton, John
M. Clayton, Corwin. Crittenden, Dick
inson. Greene, Hannegan, Houston, JAR
nagin, Johnson of Maryland, Johnson Of
Louisiana, Miller, Morehead, Pearce,
Phelps, Rusk, Semple, Simmons, Speight,
Sturgeon, Upham, Webster, and Wood
bridge-32.
NAYS Messls. Archer, Atherson,
Bagby, Benton, Calhoun, Chalmers, Da-
Wis, Dix, Evans, Fairfield, Haywood,
Huntington, Mangum. Niles, Pennyback-
er, Sewer, Turney, Westcott, and Yulee
liz.
So the vote was reconsidered.
The question was then taken on con-
curing with the committee on commerce,
in their amendment striking out the clause
under consideration, and decided in the
negative. -
So the amendment was not concurred
in.
The Senate proceeded to the consider
alton ofthe amendment by the committee,
altering the clause sFor improving For,
PENN so as to read, "For repairing the
piers in Fort Penn, &c, which was disa.
greed to.
The next amendment reported by the
committee is as follows, viz:
SEc.12. And be 1t further enacted, 'rha
in all works provided for by this act, il
which the war department shall deem
necessary, there shall be a survey or re
examination, and no expenditure shall b,
made without the appreciation ofthe Wa
Department.
Mr.. Dix explained the object of the a
mendment.
Mr., johnson, of Maryland, opposed
as inexpedient,
Mr. Wescott moved to strike out tb
words war department in the secon
and fifth lines: upon which motion.
Mr. Lewis moved that the further cor