Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1848-03-11


direct taxation ON her Why, if the revenues Of this Gov
be raised by direct tax, her proportion of the
amount win be six millions Of dollars, which she
raise by direct taxes on her citizens.
But sir did not rise for the purpose of discussing this
question propose to discuss for short time, with the in
diligence OF the House, the question Of appropriations for the
improvement OF rivers and harbors On that subject sir
shall spend few minutes and but few, the question Of
its constuonay That has been denied by the President
in his message and regret that have neither the time nor
the ability 10 take up that message item by tem and examine
and reute it as would do, high the authority that
the doctrines which contains may be- The argument
the President is that it is unconstitutional TO make appropra
tons for the improvement of harbors and rivers But pre-
sumo need not into discussion Of that question all
for this House has vetoed the Presidents veto itself We have
already passed that question: and doubt not large and
overwhelming majority Of this House is ready at any time
decide constitutional make appropriations for that purpose
But sir propose to submit few remarks that subject
before proceed the discussion Of the prorety of making
appropriations for objects of the kind contemplated Prior
the formation Of this Union. would like to know il any gen.
enan will deny that the States possessed to make APP
preparations for the improvement Of rivers and haIbors
within their respective Jurisdictions Well If they possessed
that power what has become of Did they surrender IL to
the General Government or did they retain it, or is lost
One Of these three propositions must DO true II is admitted
all hands that the States do not possess without the
hoy of Congress The President has stated in his message,
and the constitution proved that the States cannot levy duty
tonnage without the consent of Congress for that or for
any other purpose. Well the States do without
the consent Of Congress, should like TO know it Congress
do without the of the States Does the
suton provide that Congress must ask the States they
will make such appropriations for purposes Of this kind
Not Of ALL Suppose Congress should refuse grant the
sent Of which the President speaks, have the States the
power levy duty tonnage Where then is the power
to make these appropriations and to levy duty on TONNAGE
Il is nowhere no power possesses 1t Congress refuses its
consent; for the States do without Congress- and
Congress refuses grant its consent But, would like
for moment call the attention Of gentlemen to the prov
sions of the constitution The 10th section provides that
No State shall any treaty. alliance, confeder-
nf
bills Of credit make any thing but gold and silver coin ten
payment Of debts pass any bill of attander expos
taeto law or awmparns the obligation o. contracts or grant
any noDlu,y.
mposts duties imports EXPORTS except what be
absolutely for executing its inspection laws and the
produce of all duties and Imports laid by State
ports EXPORTS shall be for the of Treasury of the
United States and all such laws shall be subject the revi
sion and control OF the Congress"
Here the power is unconditional and unqualified But may
Congress that the State of Pennsy Mas
saehusets, South Carolina shall make her tariff in
her way Unquesonably tmay, under the pro-
visions of the constitution which authorizes Congress
that States may levy duty tonnage. ssk gentlemen
why they single the duty tonnage when that subject is
but of many which embraced in the general pro-
visions The clauses Of the constitution which make prov-
sion the subject of imposs duties imports and
ports also provide that tonnage duty shall be imposed but
with the same sanction of Congress. The words
No State SHALL without the Of Congress- lay any
duty OF tonnage keep troops ships Of in time Of peace
with foreign Power, engage in war unless actually in
vaded in such imminent danger will admit OF delay
Why then, repeat, called upon single one
particular power that maybe exercised by States with the
sent Of Congress- leaving all other powers 10 be exercised by
Congress Why the President tells you you have power
make appropriations for the improvement OF rivers and har
bors with BREATH and with the next he tells you that you
have that power you chose TO exercise Of the powers
granted by the constitution with the Of Congress
WE'LL how is this natter Has Congress the power
sent that the States shall levy duties and has she
the right exercise that power herself Has Congress
the power to declare war Undoubtedly it has But has
it the power that State may wage war Who
heard pretended for that Congress does not
the power declare and TO keep troops and ships
in time Of peace Who heard it doubted for a moment
And yet these powers placed in the category with
that of levying duty on tonnage II Congress does not pos
the power levy duty tonnage aid improve ha
bo and rivers then Congress does not the to
keep ships in time of peace declare and perhaps
the President thought when he brought this Mexican
himself Perhaps that the why be did not
apply TO Congress TO declare and Jackson like, "took
the responsibility.
Now say we should either exercise this whole power in
judcious manner for the good Of the whole people of these
United Staie or give back the States the power
these different subjects which they possessed before the Union
VIII you split up these powers and apporton them amongst
the States II is impossible You cannot DO il.
But sr, the President tells further that may
and improve rivers and habos by Of this tonnage duty
ask how this s to be done Here is the State Of Pennsyl
vania for instance how is she improve the Ohio river,
which beyond Ter borders Here Pennsylvania, Nir
gina Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois, all interested in the inn
provement Of the Ohio river. Suppose Pennsylvania
permitted by law TO levy duty tonnage where would she
expend her money! How is the Ohio TO be improved
by that Here is the State Of Ohio the side and Vir
gina the other We are told that two States may enter
into agreement for that purpose but they cannot do it.
The constitution forbds States 10 into any compact
No tae shall enter into any treaty, alliance contedea
o is the language Of the constitution But, IL you
that difficulty what then II Ohio agrees Virginia may da
gree. II Kentucky consents Illinois may not do How,
them you improve your h'rbors and rivers mention
these instances show the difficulties which present them
Selves for have rivers passing through many States The
thing Is impossible.
Well sir you have power improve these rivers and
harborsif YOU have power rock sandbar
or a snag, which in the West known Polk Stalks VI
should like know how you get the power erect lighthouses
and place buoys point The dangers ofnavgaon the
seacoa and put up marks for the guidance Of mariners
Where you derive your power How does come TO pass
shat you pass laws regulating the number Of ongboats and
steamboats, and give tokens signs the boatmen that
ihey may know which to and which TO avoid
Where do you get that power you have control
the Western rivers all il You have power to improve
the where do you get your power erect cusomhouses
and take money from the pockets Of the steamboat be-
fore YOU allow them sail those rivers 10 cgislate
all the subject Of steamboat navigation, imposing heavy
penalties for having longboa buckets lights, &c
In my city Of Psbug the President appoints cus,omhouse
officers and there he takes money licenses for boats to
on the rver and inspectors Of engines Bot this not egu
Iang commerce in the con,ended Cor by the President
He takes money for license run that river which
he saws he has no CONTROL should like know what right
h. akao