The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-22

thoHy 10 DO So bni venture 10 assert that IL the river
Arkansas rose 10 his State, and OF greater depth
or width, and OF no greater naygable powers. ID
would not be, according to the definition OF ihe honor
able senator himself riyer subject eonsiatioaay to
Improvement in the manner proposed; because il would
not be national rver OF any extent whatever and sspe
cially Mr. Cahouns understanding OF that ,em--and
understand him to be the Magnus Apollo with the hon
orable gentleman upon constitutional questions Now,
order TO exhibit the least proprey in thai part OF the section
which relates TO the Arkansas river would be necessary
to.show that passes through than State How
is in regard 10 The river Missouri IL the senator from
Arkansas authorized to speak tor the people who nhab
the Stale OF Missouri more emphatcally than myself
side within fifty miles of that majestic stream and be-
lleve he resides in The interior of Arkansas believe,
therefore. that am perfectly ushable in offering this
amendment because II is interesting my constituents
who reside where the Arkansas Missouri and ali ihe
tributaries OF the Mississippi have poured their watere
into that river, and where they all swallowed up, ia
the vast river which call The Mississippi at Vicks
burg. The senator, then. has right to take it upon
himself 70 assert that those who had the moat right
speak upon This subject were satisfied with the bill ~
Is, and without any amendment, He may speak in re-
gard 70 his own constituents hardly suppose that the
people of Arkansas will be satisfied with his voting
against an increase in Misrepresentation; but, the respon
slby being upon his own shoulders do not object to
his taking it, But with my view Of the mportance of the
Arkansas as great national rIver, and with the view
which entertain respect to the other rivers embraced
IN this propositions must vote the other way The &C
ton OF the Senate having determined the principle with
regard to the Tennessee river, TO which opposed 10
the first instance cannot, with my views OF proprety
fail TO give to the section have the honor in part 10 rep-
usd the public e o
as the distinguished senator from kentucky has made
known 70 US and to the country that great injustice
done 10 the West by this BILL cannot fail to endeayor
10 do justice TO that section / am one representing in
part the interests connected with the majestic Mississippi,
and will stand BY her to the last and vndcate her right
tor works OF Improvement feel that owe apology
to the senator or to the Senate The Chair decided that
was in order, / have only legmatey exercised my
rights; and, while attempt to overawe no man. will
not be overawed sg,
Mr.. BoRLAND shall not undertake to reply to
what the senator has said technically within the rules of
order, but which seemed to me to be a personality |
never Introduce personalities upon this Apor never
have done So either in reply or otherwise But seems
bill that senator cannot arise here, and offer an objec-
ton which he considers sound and legitimate one 70
the proposition to amend bill without being charged
with unfarness and with attempting TO speak for
States than one ! assume to speak only Tor my const
uents and, if remember rightly, have not gone fur
,her than this. understand why il is that my
opposition to this amendment should have been de-
nounced as undertaking 10 speak for number of
States have undertaken to do no such thing, but -
ment, if adopted, would have tendency inure it and
hazard its passage; That had perfect right to say
That, think, will be the effect OF it, and other effect
can result from it, am perfectly willing to take the re-
sponsblliy as to my vote and TO the OF my
explaining my vote desire that my views shall be un-
deslood and that the responsibility q my vote may res,
upon my shoulders This practice OF holding up before
senators the responsibility they owe to their constituents
conceive TO be, not unparliamentay. certainly,
Ol nave Dccn referred IN gOO0
repeat, that am responsible my constituents, and
to no one else and when other senators have settled their
accounts with their own constituents and find that they
have surplus capital ON hand then, fl need to borrow
il will be time enough for me call upon them. 80,
Mr.. FOOTE. | have not attempted to fix resp0nsi-
bty upon any human being and the senator certainly
misunderstood me In supposing that my intention
lie must have been very hard run for his Imagination
suggest such topic as this; for have supplied it.
lied TO represent the vast local interests of the Wes that
he might be able and perfectly competent TO represent al
the local interests OF his own State but that he
alone responsible to his constituents III that is Of
iensve TO HIM, must say that his taste is curious
The honorable senator has suggested that he did un
derlake to represent more States than his Now.
undertake to assert and he will deny it, that he did
say in his opening-for if he had not should not have
said anything IN responsehat the friends OF his sec
ton OF the country interested in this particular amend
ment were satisfied with il as it He undertook to
say that emphacay, The section of the country in
teesed in this amendment embraced other States besides
Arkansas. The legitimate and logical conclusion was,
that the senator from Arkansas with emphasis and earn
es,ness did claim 10 be competent. whout special
thoy TO do so, 10 speak exclusively Tor the local in
teess OF other States than his own; and q senator
from Mississippi representing interests equally mboded
IN this particular amendment, and living upon the majes
nc Mississippi was considered by him as havag a. lt,ls
interest IN the navigation of that stream the honor
able senator from Maine or his constituents. .I +.
Mr.. DOWNS. wish to call attention for moment
to this part OF the bill 1t is of its most important
provisions, and embraces that very portion OF the great
nye of the West, and of all the principal rivers OF the
West which, II you have the power at all is the proper
The Mississippi nver below the rapids the Ohio river be-
low the falls, the Missouri the Arkansas the Iinos,
and the Tennessee. ~.
In the bill it stands the first four embrace only
100000, and the latter $50 900 eachmaking S34O 900
Tor this immense work. which comprises the great chan
nes o in'ercommuncaon of the great West. Now, il
you turn 10 Lake Erie you will find for that single lake
which, with all Its commerce. and would not depreciae
lt.) can by rule be compared with the Mississippi
the Ohio and is not superior the Missouri or the Ar
kansas, or The Tennessee rver-or that single lake
there is an appropriation OF $4,000 Now, put 10
the common n-sense justice OF the Senate, and OF the
whole world that If you disposed TO do Justice to the
valley OF the mississippi, and il this is 10 be western
measure, should be amended az TO give the West
iair proportion. Do gentlemen think they justify
themselves 10 the naton when they refuse appropriate
Tor these great rivers to just amount, while giving Lake
Ere over $4,000 for little habors that nobody
heard OF before, and perhaps will again There
great ports there there Buffalo, Cleveland,
Dunkrk, and other places OF business. with com
merce OF sufficient consequence TO require attention
upon the part OF the government But here lit
tie places that nobody heard OF being Of any
quence at all
For the Improvement Of the habor at C,arnugus,
Lake Eue $4,000"
have heard a little about that place, but il is a small
place ior such an appropriation And should like TO
revenue is derived there whether it is port OF en-
try at all. II gentlemen give me any information
upon the subject, should like hear it, Their silence
implies not quite wefounded acquaintance WIN
the bill, u seems To they would have us oee'e
they had formed. Then here ia another
For the Improvement Of the hatbor al Connoa"En'' on
Lake Erie, $4,000" #..
Now, will gentlemen tell something about Tonne
augh Where il Is there any revenue leceveu tne.e.