The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-03-31

uniting together, and finally forming the great Ten
nessoe. No man--not even the most lstitadinarian
constructlonist Of the constitution can say was
ever Tor moment contemplated thai such improve
ments should be made by the general government
Mr. JOHNSON rose to explain, and was understood
10 inquire II his colleague would vote sg@inst his
amendment-- ......H r.# v.Her ~
Mr.. CocKE (his time running rapidly out) pro-
eeeded. decline TO yield the floor. III was 70
say that would vote sgainst his amendment, !
should do no more than am sure he viii do
when the vote comes To be taken In the House
Hence say that do not charge him with
demasogrusu. His amendment 10 one which he
considers unconstitutional, and for which he dare
not vote But the rivers he desgnaies are all streams
which run through the first congressional district,
and the argument might be dcdueed that he was in
favor OF the improvement Of portion Of country
which he himself represented, boz for which his
colleagues Refused TO vote. ~ gn
My colleague, Mr.. yesssss, asks me whst ad-
vantage the removal OF the obsssucsoos at tho Mus
Gle shoals VIII be 70 our constituents He certainly
has not gwen much ss'suon to oil shs facts which
have been urged In favor 81 the measure. have
underworld 90 show during the whole OF my argu-
ment that this Improvement 10 matter OF national
concern, and 10 point out the benefits which would
thereby result 10 the country. regret that he has
not understood the force Of my remarks the fault rs
not mine. .1'' .r.b .....
Mr. STANTON, (Mr c. yielding the floor said
he desired his position In regard 10 this matter to be
distinctly understood by the committee. stated in
my speech, which have before me:
III the Tennessee river stood alone and dd not know
that the proposed amendment would be the signal for
hesitation Ia supporting tbs Hotieai especially would be
thus Inclined since have received the memorial Of the leg
As expressing IN. vos. Of the state sAor moi coming
20 me In te iom entitled
knowledge Ai.tO be. would dstsrmine my acton
Igo on and say;
81 suggest 10 my colleague the proprsty Of modify
Ing his proposition IL such mannsr to require the War
character Of the improvement, necessary and 20 submit thr
proper estimates for H. In this form pledge myself good
tsith TO support the proposition" .
Mr. q. 8. HoUsros was understood to inquire OF
Nj STANTON whether, aftcr looking to the report
submitted by Colonel Kearnoy, in 1896, upon this
very work, and after the immense amount OF labor
and money that had been expended on It., he would
not now modify his speech, and consent TO vote for
the appropriation -. 10 ....
Mr.. SrAsros was understood to say he would.
Mr.. CocKE resumed. Il is far from my purpose
10 do injustice to my colleague from the Memphis
district. As have before stated, did not read his
printed speech. | only heard il as delivered in
committee. IL have said anything which il ealcu-
lated 10 misrepresent his true position before the
country, cheerfuly retrac u. Bot SIR, he certain.
ly was informed by my colleague Mr.. CRozIERl
that surveys and estimates had been made in 1928,
and that in the opinion Of Col Albert no other sur
uty necessary. am happy to learn that the pro-
posed improvement Of the Tennessee river will now,
with all the lights before him. receive his favorable
consideration. But | am well satisfied that the
friends Of the measure have more reason TO be
proud Of his vote than his speech, although il was
one Of much ability. In his speech, while referring
to the vote Of Mr. Polk in 1928, in favor of grant
of land for this improvement, he stated thar he
would infer from the subsequent stringent course OF
the President on the subject Of improvements that
the amendment would not be very favorsbly re
ceived by him. Here, sir, we had the first intima-
ton of the probable opposition, on the part Of Mr..
Polk, To this amendment. The friends of the bill
are afraid 10 adopt the amendment, because il might
endanger the bill. And il this amendment il voted
down, il will not be, us conceive, because q msori-
ty of this House do not desire its passage but boz
cause they fear that tho Pre~asnt will veto the bill
if this amendment is cngrafted upon II. &C.,
NV colleague [Mr. JoHrsonl has inquired 49,
,u removal OF the distractions at the Muscle shoals
will promote the interests of our section of the State
Of his or my constituents answer, that he ought
to know without seeking the information from me,
East Tennessee is destined, conceive, at no very
distant day, to be great manufacturing country.
No portion of Union possesses equal facilities
for this purpose. The unequalled salubrty Of her
climate-her immense and unrivaled water power
the rich and inexhausuble mineral wealth which
mas StOWeu away WInlD inc DOWels Oh
her beautiful hills and mountains, all point with
unering certainty to the high and glorious destiny
that awaits her. Already large quantities Of iron,
there, are carried to st. Louis and
other portions of the western country. The compile
ton of this improvement will invite manufacturing
capitalists among us-it will stimulate the industry
and arouse all the dormant energies of our people
it will bring into practical and active operation all
these elements of power and wealth, with which
that region of country has been abundantly bless
ed and furnish great national highway to the At
lanic and western States.
The people of Tennessee have received but small
boons at the hands of the government. True, they
have not asked for much. No appropriations have
been made for their benefit for years. They bear
their proportionate part of its burdens They con-
tribute as much to the national treasury in proper
ton to their population as any other State in the
Union yet when they ask your aid for work Of this
character they are turned off by their government
with the sternness of a cruel and unfeeng stepmo
Their. They have been faithful to the constitu-
ton They have been faithful upon the field of bat
tle They have sustained the general interests of
the country. Yet she turns her back upon US, refu
ses to hold out even the cold hand of her charity
ward us, and tells us she will give us nothing. do
not complain of the action Of southern members, from
s. Carolina, from Georgia. and from Alabama, in OPP
posing this amendment They entertain constitutional
scruples upon this subject, and it is not for me to
complain Of them. But they admit the importance
of the improvement of the Tennessee river; and II
does seem to me that apart from these scrupes the
southern section of the Union the last that ought
to oppose an amendment Of this kind. What is to
be the effect upon that region, If this amendment is
adopted? Why, sir the treasures of the whole West
will be poured into the laps Of Georgia and South
Carolina, and their cities will be teemng with
its vast commerce. They will become the great
depots for the exporting trade Of the West. And
why will gentlemen, unless they absolutely deny
the mower of the government to make such an inn