The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-11

which il receives advantage. IL can thus contribute
only, as believe, IN the way proposed, oy applying
| its means to those more imPortans Improvements
which in their greatness worthy OF the power
glory of the nation. The government leans upon tn
| welfare Of the people, and derives strength from
their prosperity let contribute Ia some degree Il
| that which supports It, at least In those thing
which are beyond the means Of States and ndiyid
/ ua citizens.
| But even although there should be no differenc,
Of opinion upon the principles have attempted q
submit il is still 10 be expected that differences vii
arise as to the application OF them. Unaniaty cat
scarcely be expected upon the details Of the bill
| The only rule which can lay down for myself, Il
enable me to Judge Of the character OF particular i'm
| proyements, and TO determine the policy Of engag
| ing in them, is, in cases where am not particular
| ly acquainted with the locality, 10 rely mainly upor
| the reports of those officers and engineers who's,
duty il u.s. under the control Of the Executive TO
anime survey, and explore, for the information Of
| the country. | find, sir, that almost all the works
| embraced in this bill sanctioned by the topo-
graphical bureau. So far this sanction has beer
given and more especially as large sums of money
| have been expended upon many OF them, leaving
them in unfinished state, shall not hesitate %
vote for them. Some OF these appropriations, IL
have not overlooked them in the cursory examins
ton gave 70 the report, are not mentioned by the
engineers. | shall request the honorable gentleman
who reported this bill to inform the committee
which Of the appropriations have been based upon
the estimates Of the War Department Before
can vote for those which are not based upon such
estimates must be fully convinced Of their practi-
cability and necessity. As general principle, how
ever, think II always more safe and prudent TO
examine work and estimate its probable cost be-
fore making appropriations for IT, This believe is
usual, and II is certainly wise.
There is one important provision In the bill for
which shall not vote. IL il that which appropri.
IaE...
stock Of the Louisville canal. doubt the power OF
the government 10 do this | do not mean TO say
that the government cannot improve the Ohio river
at the falls, so as to make II nayignble This would
necessarily follow from the principles already sta
ted; for II the government can make any improve
meat in the riyer-lf il remove any obstruction,
or obvate any dficulty-it can certainly do IL here,
where the most formidable interruption exists. 9th
erwise, the power | have already claimed for the
government would be nugatory. And II is equally
obvious that If the government could subscribe q
part Of the stock, IL could purchase the whole. But
1t is doubtful whether the government may exert Its
power in this form. The expediency and the econ
omy Of this plan for removing the burdens upon the
commerce Of that river still more questionable
Ii has been asserted here that far cheaper and
more effectual mode may be adopted. We are in
need OF information upon the subject. do not say
| will not support which will effect this
most important and desirable object in a manner
sanctioned by the scientific knowledge and expert,
ence OF able engineers. IL IL well known that the
canal will require alteration and enlargement before
1t will fully meet the wants Of the country. IL is
said that such enlargement will cost as much or
more than other plans Of improvement entirely new,
and believed to be fully efectual for the object de-
sired.
Interference to the amendment Of my honorable col
league, proposing the appropriation Of large sum
for the improvement Of the Tennessee river, must
acknowledge that feel some difficulty. Il is not
easy to determine the exact point at which works
of local and those Of national character. II
the Tennessee river stood alone, and il I did not
know that the proposed amendment would be the
signal for thousand others still less important
than that, would feel hesitation in supporting the
notion Especially would be thus inclined, since
have received the memorial Of the Legislature OF
Tennessee, asking Of Congress the improvement OF
this river. As expressing tina voice of the State,
although not coming to me in the form Of authori-
tative instructions, il is entitled to the highest
spect and in doubtful case, which acknowledge
this to be, would determine my action.
But, sir, there is another difficulty in this amend
ment: it is the same that which | have already
stated in reference to the Louisville canal ! am
by means satisfied that the plan Of improvement
adopted in the amendment is either the best the
most economical. Besides this, we have no esti-
mates suggest to my colleague the propriety OF
modifying his proposition in such manner as to
| require the War Department to make survey Of
the river, to determine the character Of the improve
ment necessary, and to submit the proper estimates
for it. In this form, sir, pledge myself in good
faith to support the proposition. Its present form,
fear, appropriating onc-fourth Of million-more
than the appropriation for the whole Mississippi
river-n the dark, without information, plans, or
estimates, will most certainly contribute to its de-
feat.
My honorable colleague referred to the vote of
the President in favor of the original grant of land
for this improvements and he seemed to think conss.
tency would require the President now to sanction
this amendment. would infer from his subse-
quent stringent course on the subject Of improve
ments that the amendment would not be very favor
ably received by him. And if such should be the
case, and especially if the President should have
any constitutional scruples, have no doubt he
would acknowledge the error Of his former vote,
| and act now without hesitation upon his present
convictions. The gentleman from Alabama Mr..
CHArMANl attempted to justify Mr.. Folks vote:
know nothing Of the circumstances, nor do
know that the President would now act differently;
but this do know: his character and standing in
this nation are such that he might well scknowl-
edge change of opinion, if such has occurred, and
his purity, and patriotism, and unequalled general
consistency in the support Of great principles,
would still be unquestioned.