The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-02-17


Will permit me, will state a fact of which am IN
formed The United States. during the ensuing summer
Will have great deal OF coal to transport TO the navy
yard; and the only they have OF transporting it
will be over that canal
Mr.. ALLEN. The profits arising from this canal, if
they are sufficient should be applied 10 its repairs
believe, sir that have spent the form of an abso.
Lutte donation. nearly million of dollars upon this
object We paid something over million, believe for
TO oppose appropriation for this District, and know
likewise. that it Is almost useless thing for anybody
to oppose the appropriation as every senator feels that
he is degree bound TO vote for whatever this
poatlOn asks, because the corporation has nobody here
to do their voting but really think sir, we ought to
have some limit 10 these appropriations which being
pration of large of the public of this
country for the purpose OF this one District. We all
know how il is L we could get this money from any
this country should not regret the extension Of the lib
crafty of the government to this District, to any other
body OF people; but, representing connexon with my
colleague people who pay three millions of dollars OF
taxes per annum to this government, feel that in
these matters small as they appear to be, duty
be little more attentive when these claims upon the
public treasury advanced must ask for the yeas
and nays upon the question.
Mr.. MILLER. would state very briefly the ground
upon which the committee asked this appropriation This
Washington canal passes for most of It's way through
the public grounds. Owing to its not being profitable
heretofore and TO the great expense of keeping up,
has been permitted to go TO ruin. 1t is nuisance
the city, affecting the general health of the neghborhood
In view OF the completion OF the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal, the corporation OF the city OF aSninStOn Deevc
that will be matter OF importance to the city and of
profit to open this canal They believe that the trans
portaon Of coal, lumber. and other articles will be
Increased that canal and upon the estimation made
by the engineer it is ascertaned that it will about
$4,000 $4,000 TO repair the canal In order make
OF any service al ALL II is necessary that should be ia
such condition that the water shall run from branch
OF The Potomac to the other at all times, flowing from
river to the Other thus keeping at all times flowing,
living water in this canal This will prevent injury to
the city from sagnan water. Sir, the city OF Washing
ton, they represent and believe, is unable, by taxes
upon her own citizens, raise sufficient money to complete
this work. They therefore ask Congress TO appropriate
an equal amount OF money with the corporation TO com
plee the work. and make the canal in situation suita
ole for the purposes OF transportation, and ornament
to the public grounds through which it passesthose
grounds upon which we erecting the Smithsonian In.
stitulon and monument and which it must be intended
improve. In order to improve those grounds it will
be necessary to clear tho oal of that canal The
committee therefore thought that the application was
reasonable one; that it might be made ornament to
the public grounds through which passes and might be
prevented from being injurious to the health OF the city
for this reason that the appropriation OF twenty
thousand dollars to assist the city in making this useful
hem and M T. US 1ssse
that open my lips upon any question OF appropriations
of this sort; but am strongly impressed with the pro-
prety of making this allowance to the city-of grant
ing this application of all the money that is asked-hat
cannot refrain from saying word; This canal. in It's
present condition, is not only absolute nuisance to the
depository of all the oa OF the city in its present
don but il is one that impas The appearance OF the city
from the public grounds OF this Capitol AT any
time during the last years would not only have
advanced this sum- but doubled il, rather than It should be
thoe, dsagreeable to the eye and injurious to the
health understand sir that the city authorities have
made appropriation for this purpose OF 10000 dollars
We have had divers OF knowing the extent oil the
resources OF the city, AMI how they stratened and
we are not called to meet the amount of taxation they
have necessarily incurred in keeping this city, covering
broad extent proper condition for our residence and
the transaction of business. If this appropriation OF
2OooD dollars asked for the part Of Congress is made
understand according to estimates, that this canal could
be completed so as always to have flowing water IN 1t,
that all the nnsances thrown into it would be at
carried oil Besides this, nearly one halt OF the
length of the canal passes through the public grounds
and as the honorable senator from New Jersey has
stated, it is undoubtedly IN the contemplation OF the
legislature at day to place them in different con-
dlion from what they now are, so that they may be an
ornament TO the city. and improve its appearance.
Again, sir, the Chesapeake and Ohio canal at some
early period is to penetrate the coal region, and under
stand the coal is quite equal any in the United States
Ii is known to every gentleman here that the boats
bringing this coal will arrive at Georgetown, and cannot
navigate around Greenieafs point, SO as TO reach The
navy yard The coal, then, must be carried there by
horse power be brought by boats this canal The
navy yard will undoubtedly consume very much OF this
article, and the government is entitled to free trans
portaon of all articles forever by the terms OF this
amendment This, then. it seems to me, Is quad pro
quo and think the government would make good
bargain If all these considerations thrown out OF
view, should still be in favor OF the appropriation for
other reasons Sir, has any senator looked out from
the library upon this beautiful sheet OF water-as
it ought TO be-penetratin5 the whole length OF the
public lands that must at future day be ornament
ed, and not been Enthusiastically ofended-wth The
banks of mud that absolutely offensive TO every
man of taste. and absolutely penicous to that portion
OF the city contiguous TO them Sir would throw all
these considerations of vew and still vote for the ap
preparation. This is the capital OF the United States.
hope may endure such perpetually Is there man
in the country that does not desire to Ornamented
and improved do hope, sir that the honorable sena
tor will withdraw his objection TO this measure. II is
beyond the present means Of the city TO execute this
work If that dreadful disease, which is scourging
some portions of the Union should reach this place. does
every perceive that it is extremely desirable that
all nuisances of this sort shall be removed do hope
sir that it will pass have lived in the vicinity OF this
canal for several years. and know that the part of the
city through which it passes would be the most delight
full spot for residence il this nuisance is removed, and
the public grounds improved.
| Mr. NILES. | think this and the one we
had the other day. about the City Hail. are parallel
cases. They have both been referred to as matters
of taste; but if this canal is a nuisance, some
gentlemen represent IT, 1t is rather matter OF smell
than of taste. [Laughterl Well. Mr. President, we
called upon the other day to ornament the CITY
by structure rising above the surface, and now by
a ditch down below The surface. As matters of orna
ment, think they are upon par. Now, sir, should
Hike to be informed whether this canal has or has no
been what is ordinarily called total failure !-whe
Their it has not proved entirely useless! believe II
has been in use, except for some lew Doa's
which have laid up there 1t has never been introduced
to the navy yard, think-at least never TO my know
edge. Now, sir, why is ths' The canal, believe
| was constructed in part for the benefit OF the navy
yard but that there has been no use Tor II II
that connexi The pan therefore, was mlsconcep
tion--a waste OF the money OF this city and oil tins gov
ernment for believe, sir we have pad some thou
| sands of dollars for it, and called upoI
to aid in its Improvement with view to make
useful But I think II never will be made useful