Indiana State sentinel., 1846-07-23
In Senate, july l3.
IMPROVEMENT OF THE WESTERN RIVERS.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE WESTERN RIVERS.
The "bill to provide for the improvement of the
navigation Of the rivers Ohio, Mississippi, and Ar
kansas" " was taken up for consideration.
Mr.. CALHOUN moved that the bill be laid upon the
table, bill recently reported by him from select
committee would cover the whole subject
Mr.. CRTTrESDEN suggested that the bill reported
by the gentleman from South Carolina might not pass
that action would be had upon the bill under conside
ration, as 1t was familiar subject which would re-
quire but little time for consideration.
Mr.. CALHOUN withdrew his motion.
The bill had been referred TO the Committee on
Roads and Canals, and reported back with sundry
amendments, which were agreed to.
The bill was then reported to the Senate as
amended, and the amendments concurred in.
nj. CALHOUN moved to amend the bill by adding
the two following sections being the two first sections
of the bill reported by Mr. C. from the select commit
tee to whom referred the memorial of the Mem
phis convention:
Be ii enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
senalires Of the United States of America an Con-
gress assembled, That the President Of the United
States be, and he is hereby authorized to appoint
board of engineers, consisting of three, one TO be Of
the corps Of engineers, and the other two to be civil
engineers, whose duty it shall be to make under the
direction Of the Secretary Of War, careful examln-
alton and survey of the Mississippi, including its
principal tributaries and to report their opinion IN
detail to him, 10 the present condition OF Its nav-
gation the character Of the distractions which en-
danger impede 1t; to what extent they may be re-
moved; what would be the effect of their removal IN
lessening the hazard to which they exposed, and
increasing its safety and expedition; what measures
should be adopted for their removal; what sum 1t
would be advisable to appropriate annually for re-
moving them what would probably be required
to keep its navigation in good condition after they
are removed; and what measures should be adopted
to insure efficient and economical expenditure OF
the money which may be appropriated for the i'm
provement of Its navigation.
Sec. 2. And be 1t further enacted, That the two
civil engineers shall be each paid for his services at
the rate of 81 900 per annum, in full of all charges
and that the sum Of 5000 be and is hereby appro-
priated to pay the expense incidental to the examina-
tion and survey Of the board
Mr. JARNAGIN had no objection to the latter amend
ment as a substitute for the original BILL but as an
amendment of said bill, he thought that iNwould
make confusion. He did not consider it regular to
first pass appropriations for the improvement of ccr-
tain tributaries of the Mississippi, and then pass an
enactment appointing board of engineers to make
examination of said waters, with view to the i'm
provement of their navigation.
Mr. HANNEGAN hoped that the amendment would
be withdrawn, as he feared that passing it now
might defeat the entire measure. Mr. H. alluded
strong terms to the importance OF the Wabash and
other western rivers, and the neglect by the govern
ent to take the proper steps for their Improvement.
Senators MoREHEAD and CRITTENDEN expressed
themselves in favor of the amendment.
Mr.. ALLEN expressed his views in opposition to
the amendment.
Mr. JARNAGIN said he would vote for the amend
ment offered by the gentleman from South Carolina,
and would then move to amend the bill further.
Mr.. BAGBY expressed his intention TO vote for the
amendment, giving his reasons for such vote; which,
however, were not distinctly heard by the reporter
Mr. DIX stated that the river and harbor appropri-
alton bill, which had passed the House of Represent
aves contained provisions for some Of the improve
ments now asked for.
After some further remarks by Mr.. HANNEGAN, the
question taken the adoption of Mr.. CALHoUN's
amendment, and the same was agreed TO.
Mr.. JARAGIN moved an amendment to the bill, ap-
proprating Sl50000 for the Improvement of the Ten
nessee river, above the Muscle shoals.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN said, that if his friend from Ten
nessee Mr.. JARNAGINl would withdraw his amend
ment, and bring it up on the harbor bill, he would
find him (Mr. c. ally in his cause but he feared
that if the amendment passed nOlc, 1t might en-
danger other measures of a similar character.
Mr.. HANNEGAN said that he would vote against the
amendment 1t would not be proper for him, and
ether western Senators, to vote for the improvement
of the Tennessee river, without at the same time In
ssting upon similar measure in behalf of the Hi
nos, Wabash, and other rivers in the direction
which were of so much importance to the western
country, upon which so great loss OF life and pro-
perty annually occurred for want of paltry tC
remove the distractions TO their navigation
After some further remarks by Mr.. BAGBY, the
question taken upon the amendment, and 1t was
disagreed to on division-yeas II, nays II.
The question recurring upon ordering the bill to Q
third reading
Mr.. BAGBY called for the yeas and nays, which
were ordered and being taken, resulted as follows
YEAs-Messrs. Allen, Archer, Ashley, Barrow
Benton, Breese, Bright, Calhoun, Cass, Chalmers
Thomas Clayton, Corwin, Crittenden, Davis, Dayton
Greene, Hannegan, Houston, Huntington, Jarnagin
Johnson of Maryland, Johnson of Louisiana, Miller
Morehead, Rusk, Semple, Simmons, Speight, Stur
geon, Upham, Webster, and Woodbridge-32.
NAYs-Messrs. Atherton. Bagby, Cilley, Dickin
son, Dix, Fairfield, Haywood, Niles, Phelps, Turney
Westcott and Yulee-12
So the bill was ordered to a third reading.
On motion of Mr.. HANNEGAN, no objection being
made the bill was then read third time and passed