The Evansville journal., 1846-01-08

DdStl anu OllO CdlldI, t06 senator from w dyDe
had given evidence Of the feelings by which
he is controlled. Hatred of that work, and
because he fears something might be devised
by the committee for its advancement, is the
reason of his opposition to It's continuation.
He could point, were it in order to do so, to
the source from which this harted was bor-
rowed, but would not do it,
The Senator from Wayne was opposed to
connecting the extension of the Wabash and
Ohio canal, In the most remote manner, with
the payment of the State debt He told the
Senate that canals were behind the spirit of
| the age; that the Wabash and Ohio canal
would not pay one per cent. on the cost of
construction; and that rail roads would super
ceed canals. Suppose, for the argument,
ii all be admitted; and, then suppose an ar
rangement can be made with the holders of
our bonds TO take the profits of the canal, as
unproductive as gentlemen my esteem it to
| be, for one half the annual interest on our
public debt, can gentlemen assign any good
reason why they should not be permitted to
do so?
He did not say, nor did he know that such
a proposition would be made, but, he put the
question to show how inconsiderate gentle
men were in determining to oppose any ar
rangement, however advantages lis charac-
! ter.
He Mr.. c. could account for the course
pursued by she Senator from Wayne, In no
other way than this: That gentleman as an
editor OF one Of the public journals of this
State, had taken high ground in favor of the
payment of the public debt. Now, that there
oI>ot,
on that subject, if the committee be permit
ted to close its labors, that gentleman is anx-
ious to avoid the responsibility. Is that not
the only conclusion to which any one who is
at all conversant with that gentleman's pro-
lceedure can arrive? If be not, let The
Senator explain.
He contended, in conclusion, thatIh CON-
mittee was raised by joint action Of the two
| Houses, and that lis proceedings could not
be arrested by simple resolution on the part
of the Senate.
Mr.. Holloway said it was true that as an
an editor of a Newspa per, he had taken the
ground that Indiana ought TO make an effort
to pay the interest on our public debt; from
that position be was not inclined to shrink
while acting in Legislative capacity. Let
the question be presented unincumbered by
any collateral question--let it rest upon It's
own merits, and gentlemen would find him
going as far assany other Senator.
One fact woul show that he occupied the
same ground in relation 10 the construction
ofthe Wabash g. Erie Canal last winter that
he does now. The journals of the Senate
will show that he had voted against asking
Congress for the grant of lands for that pur-
pose. He believed then, and he had seen no
reason 10 shange, but much 10 confirm him
| in the opinion that such grant, ifmade TO and
accepted by the State would prove a curse
rather than benefit. Its acception would
com pei completion of the Canal within
certain time or work a forfeiture ofthe grant.
He was we'll convinced that the proceeds of
the lands would not pay half the cost of con-
fstruction and he would not involve the State
to the amountof a single cent TO constructs
work, which, when completed, would be al
most entirely unproductive. So there was
10 inconsistency in his course of that SUBJ
ject.
He would take occasion, inasmuch as he
had been charged with being controlled by
others, to speak of his former position in re-
gard to the Internaly Improvement system out
of which this debt originated. Although a
resident of County which, in 1885 paid a
sixteenth part of all the State tax, and which
never had one spade full of earth excavated
by the State, he had always voted for men
who had been the advocates of that system.
He had sustained them in their acts and
would vote for any feasible mode of sustain
/ ing State credit, but he would not favor the
union of that subject with any project which
would eventually increase, instead of dimin-
shing the State debt.
Mr.. CHAPMAN, of L. said, as the resolu-
ton under discussion had been submitted by
him he regarded it but right that he should
make a few explanatory remarks as to the
reason which prompted it. The resolution
contemplated three propositions. lst. 1t was
matter Of enquiry, whether the committee
had not employed clerk, and, if so, by what
authority it was done. I'd. Whether certain
papers had not been published by order of
the committee Sd. To suspend the further
action of the committee until these enquiries
were answered and such answers LAID before
the Senate.
So far as he had been able to examine
the questions presented he was unable to
see what bearing the constructions of the
Wabash and Ohio canal could possibly have
in their determination. AT any rate he
should not be controlled in his by any con-
siderations of that character. The only is
sues presented was, whether the committee
was beyond the reach of the Senate or not.
He believed it within the province of the
Senate TO make the demand, and he believed
it the duty of the committee TO respond toI
the enquiries and to obey the mandate of the