The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-17

Mr.. WINTHROP. Then as the gentleman dis
claims any offensive impuation, desire TO take this
opportunity 10 set myself night, as this is the same
remark that was made by thegenteman from Penn
sylvania Mr.. C. J. lNGERsoLL in his speech at the
close of the Oregon debate. desire to say, in the
presence ofmy God and my country, as represented
by the representatives, Of tho people here that Meth
er at the time moved the resolution looking to
bitration, ION the 18th Of December) nor upon the
day--the Sd Of January-on which l made the
speech advocating it, had the slightest knowledge
The slightest kaOoLsdge-the slightest foundation for q
belief that proposition Of arbitration in any form
or under any circumstances, had been, or was
about 10 be, offered by the British minister TO the
government Of the United States II any gentle
man desires any further explanation, | am here
ready To give 1t.
Mr.. McCLERNAND | did not base my OBJ
serystions on any imputaton Of coalition or comb.
nation between the gentleman and the British min
lister on the question Of Oregon. spoke Of the
fact, that the gentleman had submitted series Of
resolutions, in which the proposition subsequently
made by Mr.. Pakenhsm was embodied, as a re-
markable fact or coincidence. Far be 1t from me to
impeach the patriotism Of any man, unless have
satisfactory ground for the accusation. But will
say that whilst the gentleman is free 10 criticize
the conduct Of those who differ with him in polit-
cal opinion he should be careful so to comport him.
self as not to lay himself open to retaliation.
Mr.. McC. now directed his remarks Immediately
TO the bill before the committee He considered il
Objectionable in several respects; because 1t pro-
posed wasteful outlay Of tie public money, and
because il unequal, unjust, and unfair in It's de-
tails. He argued that the appropriations were not
measured by justice 10 particular sections with
a proper regard TO the public good
Mr.. BRoCKENBRoUGH denied the constitu-
onallty ofthis measure not only, but he denied its JUS
ice and It's expedlency IN every part and particular,
in principal and detail. II the government were to
establish such a system Of Improvements this
great country called for, and TO make it Just and
equal to all the States, it would result in taxation
upon our people Of one hundred million dollars per
annvm. He protested against the inequalities OF
appropriations under this bill; il made provision for
a few harbors on the northern lakes, and for few
harbors in the eastern section Of the country and
small appropriation for the Mississippi; and all the
rest Of the country was utterly neglected. 1t was
no. the amount Of the bill, but the principles in
volved in it, to which he protested. He commended
that the rest Of the country, from the lakes TO the
gulf, was entitled to the equal consideration Of
the government with the few favored portions pro-
yded for under this BILL
He alluded to the argument Of Mr.. McCLEL-
LAND in favor Of the appropriations on the lakes on
the ground of necessity, and yielding 10 Mr. McC.
for explanation, he proceeded In reply to show that
according to the gentemans own facts, especially
with reference to the risk and loss Of life, the
necessity was NOT pressing, as was represented.
From the gentemans statement, the number
of lives passing over those lakes annually was
Dds, 000 and IS lives had been lost; the loss being
scarcely one-300th part OF one per cent, and the
chances Of safety being 3,46l TO one. It was not
equal to the danger by lightning.
But while gentlemen were arguing the appropria-
TONS for these harbors on the lakes for the proec-
ton Of our navy why did they not at other points,
and upon other waters, give encouragement TO this
great arm of national defence
Mr.. B. entered from this point into very urgent
appeal in behalf Of the navy-yard at Pensacola,
on the ground of its national character and impor.
| lance, complaining of the neglect of Congress to
provide for it, while upon other points Of far nfe
ror importance, the money Of this government was
| layshed. He commented at length upon the mi
! guilty and oppression of system whose operation
involved much Of INEQUALITY and injustice yielding
| for explanation 10 Mr. McCLELLAND and Mr..
| WENTWORTH
| He reverted to the constitutional argument, no.
ticng especially, and replying to the attempts to de-
duce the power for the Improvements contemplated
by this bill from the grants TO Congress TO declare
war and to regulate commerce, and general
grounds maintaining the utter unconstitutonality
of the system.
Mr.. JEFFERSON DAVIS obtained the floor,
and an opposition TO rising manlfesting itself on the
part of portion of the few remaining members OF
the committee, he proceeded to argue the unconsti-
tutlOnullty Oh lHS HGdSuTt anu tnen 10 examine
several of its items, especially the Louisville and
Portland canal, and the harbors provided for on
the lakes, and to express his particular opposition
| to them. These harbors he considered not to be
harbors of refuge not designed for purposes Of ma
tional defence, for the purposes of our navy, but
for the promotion of the interests of the particular
points at which they were located.
He touched upon the question of the connection,
which, through the medium of the resolutions OF
the Baltimore convention, it had been attempted to
give to this question, with the Oregon question: and
with the politics of the country, and maintained that
the freedom of opinion and action Of members of
the democratic party not impaired by those
resolutions, nor were they precuded from yielding
their assent to fair and equitable settlement of the
Oregon difficulty.
Having concluded
Mr.. WOODWARD obtained the floor, and yield
ed to motion that the committee rise.
The question being taken, the vote stood-ayes
80, noes so. No quorum voting.
The committee rose and reported that fact to the
House.
Mr.. HERRICK, at ten minutes to o'clock
moved that the House adjourn.
The yeas and nays were asked and ordered, and
the clerk had commenced the call of the roll, when
Mr.. HERRlCK, by general consent, was per-
mitted to withdraw his motion, at the request Of
Mr.. G. w. JONES, who, stating that Mr..
WOODWARD ready to proceed with his re-
marks, suggested that the House, by general con-
sent, again resolve itself into committee.
Mr. ADAMS, and others, objected on the ground
that there was not a quorum of members in attend
ance.
The SPEAKER stated that it was not in order
to go into committee, or to proceed to any business
without quorum.
Mr.. T. B. KING moved that the hour Of meet
ing for tomorrow be 10 o'clock.
MIR. TlBBATTS said he hoped not. The COM
mittees had to meet at 10 O'Clock, and the committee
ON this very bill wished to assemble tomorrow
morning.
The question being taken, the motion was disa-
greed to.
A call Of the House was moved and refused
ayes 81, noes S. No quorum still.
Mr. BOWLIN moved call of the House.
The question was taken, and the vote stood
ayes 80; noes 49, tie.
The SPEAKER voted in the affirmative, making
| the vote-ayes 40, noes 80.
| So a call of the House was ordered.
Mr. ASHMUN moved that the House adjourn
negatived--ayes 40, noes 49,. No quorum.
The Clerk called the roll, and then the list of alb
sentees; and 80 members were found to be in at
tendance
| Mr. s. ADAMS moved that the House ad journ
| nora,;yod "A noea