The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-04-15

toed or pocketed by the late President.
thank God that the day Of arbitrary vetoes has
passed; that the tyranny OF Executive dictation
and usurpation has come TO an end and that the
will of the people, constitutionally expressed can
be carried into effect. II is cause Of congratu-
aton that we have President who will regard
the Constitution, not as negation or an idle piece
ofparchment, but possessing vital power, which
this Government is bound to enforce with energy,
TO promote the general welfare OF the people, and
develop and foster the great interests Of commerce.
agriculture, and manufactures throughout our
widely extended country.
The constitutional power and duty of the General
Government to appropriate money from the nation
al treasury for the Improvement OF rivers, lakes,
and harbors, in all cases where such improvements
are necessary to the facility protection Of COM
merce either with foreign nations or among the
States, has been SO clearly demonstrated, and the
expediency and necessity OF exercising such power
30 fully shown by recent manifestations of the peo-
ple that it only remains for Congress to reduce the
subject to permanent system, and then pass the ne
cessary laws TO carry it into practical operation.
Notwithstanding large sums have been from time
to time appropriated and benefcially expended for
these objects, yet has not been characterized by
as much system and permanency az most OF the
other duties that have deyolved upon the Govern
ment. Annual appropriations are made for the
support of Government, including the army and
navy. These are necessarily permanent and indis-
pensable, and without which the wheels of Govern
ment would stop To be ehectual, the appropria-
tions for harbor and river Improvements should be
as systematic and permanent as the annual appro-
pratons for the support Of Government. None but
necessary national icorks should be adopted by Con
gress; but, when once adopted, there should be,
and is, responsibility resting upon the Govern
ment which should not be overlooked, even if there
is afterwards change Of the administration.
Every Government work is adopted with view
to accomplish some beneficial purpose, requiring
in cases several years to complete it. and often
extending through several changes of the admins
tration Before an Improvement Of this kind can be
commenced to advantage, it is obvious that there
10 otartn lie
tools, and machinery, to prosecute the work. Ifa
river is to be cleared of snags, the necessary snag
boats must be procured; If bar is to be removed,
dredge- boats necessary if pier or breakwater
is to be constructed, tools and machinery must be
procured. No work of this kind ought to be adopt
ed or commenced without pledging the faith OF the
Government to akespecific annual appropriations
TO complete it in short time can be done with
prudence and economy. No other course will give
pcrmanency to the system, and without perma-
nency, the labor and money expended by one ad-
Ininistraton is liable to be lost by the tyranny
caprice of the which succeeds it. To illustrate
this, / have only to refer to a few facts
On the last day of General Jackson's administra-
ton over three millions qf dollars tcere appropriated
for internal improvements. On looking over the APP
preparation bills passed by Congress, ] find that, on
the Sd day of March, 1887, which was the day be-
fore Mr.. Van Buren's inauguration, General Jack
sou approved of three bills, besides the general ap
preparation bill, in which the following sums were
appropriated:
By the river and harbor bill. ..... 81 ,9l7 ,lSS 90
For the Cumberland and other roads 227 ,496 63
For light houses, light ships, &C.. 72l ,694 90
For the annual expense of maintain
ing light houses for the year 1897,
contained in the general appropri-
alton bill 81 ,255 90
Coast survey. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 10000 90
Total, March 3, 1887 ....,.. S3,237 ,663 So
During the first year Of Mr. Van Buren's admin
istration, the appropriations for the same objects
were So, ,SS7, ,065 SO.
The harbor and river bills vetoed by Mr.. Polk
| were of the same character, and contained nearly
the same items as the bills approved by General
jackson and Mr.. Van Buren. While Mr.. Polk
stamped upon his administration the policy Of ex-
pending millions in war of conquest upon sister
republic, he denied the right Of the General Gov
ernment TO make appropriations for harbors and
rivers, notwithstanding the same items had been
sanctioned by General Jackson.
All these improvements then in progress, were
stopped the system abandoned the snag-
boats dredge- boats, tools machinery and materi-
ais, then on hand, we're sold at great sacrifice ;
and the stop policy prevailed during Mr.. Folks
entire term. He was willing TO expend untold mil
lions in a foreign war, TO obtain more territory-to
perpetuate slavery and the power Of the South; but
when the representatives Of the people made appro-
priations of few hundred thousand dollars for i'm
proving the harbors the inland of the North,
and the rivers of the great Vest, southern Presi
dent interposed the man power, and said No,
forbid.
This aroused feeling of indignation among the
people in all the northern and western States. The
Chicago convention followed, in which the people
of eighteen States were represented-not, sir, to
dissolve the Union, but TO express their disappro
baton and dissent from such arbitrary dctation OF
the Executive, and with firm resolve, by fair ar
gument and a concentra ation of public opinion, TO
maintain their constitutional rights. They deter
mined TO support no man for President who would
thus arbitrarily inerpose his veto 10 thwart the will
of the people on a constitutional measure Of such
vast importance TO the commerce of the country.
These important works, many OF which are now in
dilapidated state, have TO be commenced anew
under the present Administration.
| regard il, sir, most fortunate for the coun-
try that the honest and patriotic President, who is
now at the helm of this Government, did nothing
more during the political campaign than 10 lay
down great principles for his guide, without giving
any specific pledges on these agitatng questions Of
domestic policy. He occupies such high ma
tional position, that he do justice to the whole
country without violating any Of the great princi
ples asserted during the campaign which resulted
in his election. Congress is left TO legislate with
out any Executive interference, and cannot doubt
that every member will finally meet these import
ant questions, and discuss them upon fair constitu
tional grounds, for the good OF the whole country
regardless of any threats that may have been made
outside OF the duties deyoved upon them by the
Constitution; and when laws passed after mature
consideration, are presented TO the President, be-
Iieve they will be approved by him. uness they are
clearly unconstitutional.
With these views, MIR Chairman, / will now pro-
ceed 10 the consideration Of the practical question
before the committee requiring action namely, the
bill for the admission Of California into the Union
upon an equal footing with the original States.
The President in his California message submitted
to this House the 2ist Of January last, earn
estly recommended that If the constitution which
the people Of that territory had formed for them
selves should be found 20 be in compliance with the
acquisitions Of the Constitution Of the United States
IL should receive the sanction Of Congress.
Their constitution has since been submitted to
this House by the President, and the Senators and
Representatives from California have presented a
petition praying for her admission. Their consti
tuition is not only republican in its character, but
appears throughout 20 be, like the Presidents mes
sage ON this subject the perfection of human wis
dom. do not hesitate 10 declare that am in ia
vor Of standing by the President in what conceive
to be wise and patriotic Recommendation. am
for admitting California she is, with her present
constitution and boundaries, disconnected from all
other subjects and trust there will be early action
on the part Of this House.
Mr.. Chairman, there are some objections made
TO her admission. will, therefore, proceed TO no
tce some Of the principal Of these objections. The
most prominent one is, that the people OF California,
in the first article Of their constitution, have de-
clarcd that neitisr siacery involuntary ssrvi-
fude, u',iess for s punishmenfo crime shall eru DO