The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1847-12-25

bills making appropriations for such purpo-
ses. We had the same rlght,under the Con
stitution, to make other improvements for
the benefit of commerce that we had to build
lighthouses. 1t was as they all are, implied
rights The Constitution no where said that
Congress should have power 10 build light
houses or make breakwaters; but the right to
make them was derived from the clause
which gave 10 Congress the regulation Of
commerce. Where did we get the right TO
build, at the other end Of the city, the mar
BILE palace known as the General Post Office
Department? Why, from the grant in the
Constitution, giving contrn! to the General
Government of the postage system of the
country. Where did Congress get the right
to build this elegant Captol,or the "chateau"
in which the President lives? The Constitu-
ton, in express terms, gives no such right;
and what would have been thought if the
President had vetoed a bill for the completion
of this hall, because ofthe expense incurred
in the purchase of these beautiful marble pill
lars? Tho message has much TO say OF the
expense of river improvements: of that the
representatives oftho people are as compe-
tent 20 Judge as the President.
He then introduced some illustrations to
show the practical 0bsurdiy of Mr. Folks
doctrines. Why, said he, the Government
have an establishment for the manufacture
Ferry, and in other places. While those
arms are ut the place Of manufacture, they
are of no use to Government. Now,in order
TO get the arms 10 where they are required,
they must be transported either by land or
water. Suppose several OK teams were sent
down to Harpers Ferry, from the city, for
fire arms;while absent hurricane comes on,
and prostrates trees across the road, so as TO
render il impossible, and the teams are stop
Il.li. oil, oil
are to remain, aud our teams, also, for Con-
gress has no right to take away the hindrnn-
ces. Again, suppose that our army, in Mex
leo, are in want Of food-starving, it may be.
Vessels are frcighted with breadstufls, for
their relief; n sand bar or snug AT the mouth
of river obstructs the passage olthc vessels.
They are kept fast locked up; and Congress,
according to Mr. Polk, must leave the vessels
to remain and rot there, because tho Consti-
tuition gives no power to clear away the bar
riers which obstruct their voyage.
WAsHINGToN Dec. H.
The Sc nate was not in session today. The
House met as usual AT - o'clock. The first
matter IN order was the special assignment
upon the Report of the Committee on Rules
and Orders, but Oh motion of the Chairman,
Mr. G. J. lngersoll, it was passed over until
tomorrow. Mr. Joseph r. lngersoll reported
bill from the Committee on The Judiciary,
amendatory Of some previous act
WAsHNGToN, Dec. 18.
In tho House, Mr. Hunt, of New York, in
roduced series of resolutions passed by
the Legislature of Michigan, in favor of a.
railroad to Oregon. Referred to committee
on Post routes.
The remainder of the session was occu-
pied in debating the Rules ofthe House.
The one hour rule was adopled;also n rule
nrOVi1iDr for n Standing ('Ommittoe tho
Smithsonian Institute.
The Rules of the last House with some
notifications were adopted
SENATE. WAsHNGToN, Dec. 90, 1917.
Mr. Dix presented two petitions, signed each
by 220 officers of the army in Mexico, being
the whole number at Pueblo previous to
marching upon Mexico. They pray that
provision be made for the disabled and reir-
ed officers and other persons connected with
the army, and for the widows and orphans
of those who might fall in battle. lie made
II predatory speech favorable TO the petition
ers
Mr. Calhoun called up his resolutions with
n view of fixing day for tllGir consideration.
A spirited debate cnsued in conseque nee Of
n question put by Mr. Allen, 10 ascertain
whether MIR Calhoun intended TO deny the
right or propriety oftnking territory for inden
nifty. Mr. Calhoun replied that his objects
"SIC ilISiCiy " Suui' hSdihot NilC ICShIt lil'p
which we were hurrying ourselves inconsid-
erately--a result which might throw into our
hnnds the whole nine or ten millions ofMeX-
lean people, After destroying their nation
atty he thought it important we should know
before we Went farther, what our true object
was in reference to the sublugation of terri
tory.
in The course of the debate, Mr. Cass stated
that the Committee on Military Affairs would
ho m n Iii IN
the army,whch ought not to be impeded by
the discussion of resolutions which seemed TO
him TO have no practical bearing. MIR Allen
moved to refer MIR Calhoun's resolutions to
the Committee on Foreign Affairs but with
drew the notion; and Tuesday, the 4th of
January, was fixed for their consideration.
House. Mr. Washington Hunts resolution,
instructing the Judiciary committee to en-
quire into the eXpedency of establishing n
commercial reciprocity between the United
States aud Canada, in view Of the admission
of the produce of either into the other, on
footing OF equality, was adopted. A resolu-
ton requiring the cXpediency of nppropria-
ting sum of money to improve the navigu-
ton of the Hudson river, was adopted
Mr. Brodhead's bill relative to postage on
newspapers was read twice, and referred.
Mr. Petit offered joint resolution, declar-
ing that in the judgment of Congress, Gov
eminent has the power to improve rivers,
wherever it may be necessary to facilitate the
transportation Of military stores, &c, aud to
improve harbors aud inlets, whether OIL the
Atlantic or Llkeicoast,w wherever necessary to
the security ofthe lives ofseamen,o or the pro-
lection of government vessels.Mr Petit NOV
ed the previous question. Mr. Rhett moved
to lay the resolution on the table. MrC. J.
lngersoll called for division. The resoIu-
ton was decided by the Speaker to be in or
der An appeal was taken from the decision