The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-05
ADJOURN MENT Of CONGRESS-
Our own Case.

Our Case.
The Tbny.frst Congress adjourned yesterday at u
o'clock The scenes Of the three last days in the Senate
were full Of interest and excitement The great subject
on the taps the river and harbor bill II had originated
in the House of Representatives. and it destined to
Affect ia great degree the fate of several other measures
S.fore Congress On Friday and Saturday il had called
forth moe vehement struggle between its friend.
and opponents in the Senate than it had previously
protuced in the House Early On Monday this bill
vas taken up, Mr. Clay's motion, in preference 10
ssyea other bills and it continued to shed its influence
through greater portion Of the night the exclusion
Of the appropriation bills. until about o'clock. when i,
was laid temporarily on the table, to give an opportunity
Of passing the necessary appropriation bills But il was
not taken up again.
subec: OF considerable regret that this bill was
presented all the close Of the short session OF Con-
gress. The question of internal Improvement by the
general government has long been one of the most stir.
ring and debatable matters in our institutions During
Mr. Folks administration, it apparently put 10 sleep
by his able and manly veto and has not entered since
into the controversies OF politicians It might have been
expected therefore. that, when revived it should
not have been ag,ated the close OF short session. but
would have been resumed, after long and previous DIS
cussion before the people, at the long session, wheR
ample time would have been allowed discuss il in all its
bearings, in its principle and in its details. and when
sufficient time would have been afforded To the minority
prepare their amendments, and 10 shape the system
in form that was lras, exceptionable to the oppo-
sion. All these characteristics were omitted on
the present occasion. There was not sufficient time
10 examine The principles or the details of the meas
It was preciptated upon Congress at a shor,
session, and almost at the conclusion of it, !, was
not sufficiently discussed and the majority Of the SEN
ate. who friendly TO it. bore themselves with 50
little respect to the scruples OF the minority 10 cut of
amostevery opportunity OF amending and of
making them more acceptable to the minority This sys
ism too, has been 1t all times arayncd
grounds by Of the distinguished politicians of
the country and apt degenerate from the very seduc
tive character ofnterna into great excesses
as well a. abuses. The present bill appropriated more
than two millions OF dollars harbors aud rivers Who
could its extension Who could say that during the
next Congress fifty hundred millions of dollar,
would not be asked and to rivers and barbos
TO roads and canals 1t is the rolling Snow. ball. gath.
erng in volume as IT goes, until ii might fall like an
avalanche upon the resources OF the people The power
tina, sxpends is intimately connected with the power to
RAISE money and thus the internal Improvement and the
protective tariff become united IN interest and in egsla
lion.
The present bill was also attacked with great vehe
mence and acu'eness in the Senate, consequence OF s
sectional bearings. No wonder then thai the mnority
OF the Senate fought at every stage OF the discussion
until became obvious hal. If no interval was allowed
Tor action the appropriation bills would be brought into
han hat
laid upon the table, where /, slept unliI midday on the
Sun OF March; and the appropriation bills were run
especially the civil and diplomatic appropra-
non' The military appropriation, and the naval appro
pnahoD We shall leave our reporters to fill up thi.
nasty sketch with all the details OF the proceedings The
pressure OF coniendng bills became intense as the session
approached lis close Several bills were, OF course
overthrown. The French spoliation bill was over
saaxhed The river and harbor bill was swamped
various provisions Tor the stesmer lines were rejected,
when II was proposed attach them to the naval appto
ptahon bill The Mexican bill. which had passed the
rouse oy large majority, put to sleep in the
oehs'e The reader will see what measures were
Aaoped when we obtain schedule OF the titles OF the
ons and resolutions that were passed.
Inc incidents OF the session which has jus, closed read
some lessons which should not be los, upon an en-
'Snened people, The tendency OF the federal govern
"ea''o run into the assumption Of powers not granted,
A"a INTO new and startling expenses is too remarkable
"o' DC ssen-ioc startling not to be resisted We shall
ap these subjects at early period, and touch them
= greater length and with more freedom. In the mean
""e' We have word 10 say about our humble self.
oonees has rejected every proposition for our relief
run into serious debt to execute the contract for
"s public pnntins-ws have exhausted our private
"s.ns-we have drawn upon the funds of our friends
Ve executed that contract with all possible zeal and
"smy: yet we have not escaped the calumny Of
s''"es OF the plumbers Of others. We have been
~.ked with entering into collision and combina-
~" WIN other Offices and with the Typoyraphi-
- ~ 'ocley 10 destroy The contract system. This is
- we have been charged with holding back the
,'''e WORK Tor the purpose Of compelling Congress
NaoA"oon The system This 10 false On the contrary.
'' was The public work executed with more prompt
nave been charged with the most pul econo-
~ using an inferior quality OF paper Th. is equally
= ana when the faithful and able Printing Committee
M.m mouse Consisting OF three honorable men. Col
"ne and Mes'rs. Morehead and Fuler) proposed
w or relief, Il ~as unblushioxiy circulated that
,o0'a gveHa profit Of elso ooo--soms aaid s9oo 900
'o'f. even bali a million But the Printing