New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-07-07
Uarbor improvements.

Uarbor improvements.
The friends Of River and Harbor Improvements
bav. seen. by our Teegraphic Dispatch Of yester-
day, that the power Of our Government 10 make
aopropriatons for these objects has been fully as
serted in the popular branch Of Congress, by the
oyerwhe Ginning majority Of rs to ignore than
two-,hirds Our readers viii recoiect that IN the
early part Of the session, the President OF the
United States sent IN mongrei veto message 70
the bin, which had passed the previous session
taking high ground against the power OF Congress
70 pass such bill. At a later period Of the ses-
sion Mr.. RHETr Of South Carolina introduced
bill declaring the assent Of Congress 70 any acts
which the several States might pass, laying ton
mage duties on vessels entering their ports the
proceeds 70 be expended on the Improvement Of
the harbors at which such duties should be eyied
few DAYS since the memorial Of the Chicago
Convention on Harbor improvements was received
hy the House OF Representatives. and all these
matters were referred 10 the Committee on Com
r,erce. Of which Hon. WAsHISG1oy HUNT Of this
State is Chairman Mr.. HUST promptly reported
on the subject, discussing in a concise and able
manner the whole matter, with the exception OF
the Constitutional question, which was so fully
and clearly set forth in the Chicago memorial, by
Hon joins G. SPENCER. The report Of the Com
Inerce Committee exhibits the extent Of our com
raerce on Lakes and Rivers the vastness Of the
productions of the country the number Of mari
ners engaged in inland commerce the impedi
rnents and dangers to which our commerce is sub
iectol from the wait Of asuiiciency Of convenient
harborage; and shows that complete and ade-
qaate protection can be given only through the
agency of general system, national in its charac-
ter, comprehcndng the whole Union and its entire
navigation
On the Presidents extraordinary Message Of
Dec. IS, AZ, the report speaks with just severity
From this part we make extract:
One of the most novel II not the most striking ar
ruments presented in the message Of the President
against the expenditure of The public money TO improve
rivers and harbors derived from the great extent of
the republic That injustice may be done 70 his
views Ia this regard the following extract Is selected
from his message;
Regarding only objects OF niprov OF the
Of those embraced in h.s bill how inexhsusube shall
IND them. lie, the Imagination run along onr coast from
River ST Crox 10 the RIO Grand aud trace every ufef
enjoying the Atlantic and Gulf Of Mexico 10 NJ source
coast along LaKes and ascend ali their Wbuhfies
lei il pass to Oregon and explore all ts bays iuets and
streams and then e il raise Inc curtain OF tie future
contemplate he extent Of this Republic, ana the ohlec %
Improvement will embrace advances It's high des
tiny aud mind will be startled AT the immensely and
danger of the power which the principle OF TINS hl
Already our Confderacy consists Of weutyuine States
Other States may distant period, be expected 10 De
formed the west Of present settlements we own
an extensive country In Oregon stretching many hundreds
OF nes from east 10 wee. and seven degrees Of latitude
from south 10 north BY the admission 81 Texas INTO NE
inon we have recently added many hundreds Of miles 10
In all this country bordering on the Al
lac and Pacific there many thousands Of bays ne-,
ami rivers equally entitled 10 appropriations for their
prOyemen with the object embraced IN THIS bhi
II we concede the force of this reasoning, we must
also admit that has been fortified by the addition Of
degrees 10 possessions on the Pacific coast since
the date of the message But the Committee are hardly
prepared admit the doctrine that the powers OF obi
cations Of Government, concerning the regulation OF
commerce aud navigation, are In any degree impaired
by the expansion OF national limits On the con
trary 1t 10 conceived that the vast extent OF our navga
Die waters, and the relative augmentation Of our com
mercc. impose commemorate duties upon Congress
The responsibility of Government IL rather Increased
than lessescd by the growing importance ana magn
tudc OF tho subject appropriations IN iurtherance OF
navigation to be abandoned or diminished by rea
sun OF our geographical extension, Il follows that
every new accession Of territory brings weakness
instead of strength and the protection OF what we
have 10 inconsistent with farther acquisition
Unless the capacity of the Government 10 equal
10 ia territorial eNpanse, il results that the nation
too large for the Constitution and the agency OF The
Federal power must fail 20 accomplish the great ends
OF Its creation The argument of The President on this
point Is hardly consistent with the known fact that
every addition of territory heretofore acquired has
been sought mainly, or at least ostenshly with view
o. commercial advantages. Louisiana was purchased
At cost of fifteen millions 20 the free navga
ZION OF the Mississippi Florida was obtained at great
cost because It's Possession deemed essary 10
the protection of our commerce IN the Gulf We have
waged bloody war, and finally stipulated by treaty TO
pay many millions of purchsse-money 10 secure the
parts of California on the Pacific After paving such
enormous 10 obtain the command Of these great
highways TO commerce is 1t rational TO contend tina,
Congress has power 20 make them available by rc
moving the impedmens which obstruci their navigat
l. IL constitutional and wise 10 exhaust millions IN the
removal of political restraints, II the Government be
really Incompetent to touch those natural obstacles
which are far mere fatal 10 freedom and security OF
trade Is the Government supreme IN its power 90 &C
Quirc and yet imp0tent 70 improve alpoweriul %
purchase ports and rlvVrs and devoid OF iacul
N clear them and make them accessible 90 ship
ping The Executive recently offered Mexico SAoOooO
for right 81 way across the lsnnus OF lchdantepec
Without discussing the eNpediency OF Offering 80 large
for the privilege Of opening commercial
communication through a foreign country, while we
refuse single million % improve the commercial
channels within limits IL may be well TO inquire II
the President seriously intended % pay i've millions
Tor right OF way which the Government has no con
ftitutona capsciiy % execute Perhaps IL would be
dhoult To present complete Illustration of the
hscy Of this branch Of the Presidents argument The
Committee are unable 10 resist the conclusion that
exploring the Dead Sea and acquiring distant ports
and possessions, u would be equally jadciOus % give
some protection 10 our navigating interests At home
The substance OF this able Report viii be I'M
Gerstood by the Resolutions with which it con-
clades. and which have just passed as stated
above They are as follows
Resolved. That the Constitution OF the United States
in Congress the power 10 appropriate money 10
open and improve hsrbors and remove distractions
from navgsbie rivers in AT cases where such improve
rncnis necessary the protection snd facility Of
commerce with ioregn nations, or the commerce among
the states.
Reso,rea That the interests OF cur national com.
merce. the common defence, and general welfare OF
the United States require udicous exercise OF the
foregoing power
Rcsoirea That the assigned by the President
his veto message Of December IS ls47. for his
fassl 10 approve and sign the bill passed March ls4
making appropriations Tor tie Improvement OF certain
harhcrs and rvcrs, AZ deemed insufficient snd anssts
factory
Rsssired That Il would be inexpedient and contrary
20 ths principles OF TIE Constitution 20 give the general
consent OF Congress in advance OF legislation by the
States 10 the imposition Of tonnage duties hy the seve
al states a. means OF improving the ports and bar
bors q, which such duties may be levied
Resolroi That the Report Of the Committee on Com
rnerce on the Memorial OF the Chicago Convention
respecting Harbor and River Improvements, the P;cs
dents Message OF December Is lSt1 on the same sub
ect aud the bill referred 20 said Committee IN relation
70 Tonnage Duties, with the minority report on th'
subject be pnutej and that the Committee Or