The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-03

tation will be such thss The working Of these
mines will become important bganch OF business.
II will be important only Indiana and Michigan but
the great valley OF the mississippi and the whole
try at large The copper interest is one in which other
States interested than the State of Michis an
because they have more use for il Look al il for mo
ment There are no settlers moving into that peninsula
for the purpose OF farming. do not say but that the
farming interest may be OF more importance there by and
by; but there are no settlers drawn there now for
purposes OF agriculture. Ii is the mining interest that
draws them there Now, sir. this country there
sumed annually about 5000 tons OF copper Five years
ago we produced comparatively nothing in thai line |
am not aware that there any produced IN this coun
Try at that time, except little in New Jersey. Now,
since we have turned attention to the production oil
that article in the newly discovered mines upon the lakes
although we have been engaged In II only Tor The
short period OF five years. have, during the past year.
furnished 900 OF copper Tor our own consumption
or two thirds of the whole amount consumed in the
United States Up TO three years ago we produced but
comparatively small amounts byt since that time the pro-
ducon has been constantly increasing until are able
now 10 supply twothTds OF the entire demand Of the
country This therefore, regard interest OF great
mportancenol as i is generally supposed local inter
to the State OF Michigan but great national interest
Every pound OF copper which is used in the United
States, obtained from that resource, must be carried
around these falls as well as every article OF produce
raised there in support Of the miners And il is perfect
evident that the products of these mines must eventu
ally not only be sufficient 10 supply the demand OF the
country but that there VIII be an amount Tor expoaton
During the last year the paid for transportation on
the products OF the mines was $4,000, and yet the
business is in its infancy. How, then, the United
States expect 10 sell It's lands in that region without the
opening OF this connection by the construction Of this
work In that view of the case the public generally
have the deepest interest in its construction.
But there Is another interest TO which wish 10 call at
enton it is the fisheries on Lake Superior Those fish
cries have heretofore furnished large amount hut they
renqushed merely because the cost Of transporta
not be kept up. The last year in which the fisheries
carried they supplied ten thousand barrels.
all OF which were carried around the falls But i was
farm thattt hooh mad undnn
we have none OF it,
The from Massachusetts, inquired whether. if
this grant should be made there any prospect that the
work would be completed. am happy TO be able TO
answer his question, not from my imagination, but
from past experience Michigan has received but little as
yet from the United States for any work OF internal I'M
provement She has received OF land Tor
any such purpose except that which came from the gene
raj distribution of the public lands among the States
She then took her SHARE which was about acres
and she has not had an acre since few years ago we
found it necessary to divide the land among the several
works of internal sometimes for bridge.
sometimes canal, and in instances for a
canal around some falls Well. sir, we have managed
it, at all events, that have appropriated the amount by
which the work has been performed know in making
railroads therels certain amount OF money required
You buy iron with land. but you employ men
who will dig in this and say. where the use Of
the land was had by the State for purposes OF this kind,
the experiment has fully proved that we can make the
works cheap and fair rates And say furthersif in
the making OF the works it should be necessary TO ad
money that the people of Michigan sensible
III
have Hesitation in saying, therefore, that il the APP
preparation is made the work will be done.
Now, sir, word more in relation to this subject
The State OF Michigan has struggled along in this work,
which was begun in 1887, at lime when we supposed
had money enough to carry on all sorts OF improve
ments The work was commenced at that time, and the
workmen were driven away. An application was made
TO Congress for grant in money, and report was made
in favor OF il national work. But the day has now
and as this comes within the legitimate rule for making
internal Improvements where the public benefited by
the works, Obliged to resort 10 that the only
that can be made available for the purpose OF
enabling us to perform this work should be sorry that
gentleman should suppose that Michigan has more IN
erest in this work than other States. We have gene
raj interest," true the settlement Of the country but
al the time all the people Of the United States have
interest the general resources OF that country, and
in extending the facilities of the navigation OF the lakes
Mr.. DAVIS, of Massachusetts,. The object which /
had in view in proposing the question did to the con.
sideraion OF the gentleman whose attention had been
especially called TO this subject has been mainly an
swered little DESTROYS that should distinctly
understand whether this notion of the United States
max money out OF these not deluslve IN
Its character have so considered IT. so lar as regarded
the turning OF money into the treasury and wanted ms
stand upon its true basis, and not upon the
basis of speculation with the hope OF making money
wanted To let this thing be brought back to stand upon
its proper foundation Well sir, think II has been
brought back substantially by the which the de-
bata has taken This is great public work beyond all
question IL rs one OF great Importance IN my own view,
although cannot quite agree with the honorable gentle.
man from Michigan Mr. FELcH that the State OF Mich.
igsn has no more interest IN other States
have. Her trade lies around this lake and If this work
promotes the settlement OF her territory, II will promote
the creation OF capital within it. She has, therefore,
greater local interest IL than other States But, SIR 80
far regards the general purposes Of commerce. she has
interest than the States engaged IN that com
merce agree that II IL important consideration that
unicalion should be established between these
lakes. II is important work to be attained II II can
be attained. Well. sir, while express myself as now
think that the State - not very well calculated TO carry
this matter forward. yet do not know but she is as
well adapted il as the United Slses and II the ques
ton whether Michigan il to undertake II or the
United States whether IL ~ 10 be left undone should
be very strongly inclined to grant the land to Michigan
for that purpose Bot wish 1t to stand upon its own
character and has merits enough OF that descrp
ton to recommend il That has been very clear 10 me
cheerfuy give my support to the BILL though can see
many other in which could accomplish this great
object more 10 my satisfaction,
should wish, however, before the bill is perfected,
that there should be amendment made to IL and
will suggest the why The BILL as il now stands,
years Perhaps that is reasonable time but do not
think tina, the United States and all other parties ought to
be shut out IRON engaging in this work provided Mchi-
gan omits 10 do in that time. Therefore, think that
Michigan ought 10 be held TO commence the work IN a
shorter time than that and hope the friends OF the bill
will amend II 10 provide for the commencement OF
the work within shorter period, to be carried forward
and completed within ten years.
Mr. CASS sgniked his willingness TO accept the sus-
gestion.
Mr. DAVIS. The gentleman says he accepts tina, prop
o.tion The DILL would then stand in form 10 meet my
appreciation much more than at present
The question being taken on the amendment, II was
agreed to.
Mr. FELCH In order to meet the views OF the sena
from Massachusetts, propose amend the bill in