Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-22

peton has been Surveys have been made to
certain whether improvements could be made that would Ia
ciate the navigation declared TO be feasible tor rea-
sonabe sum of money This is of the new works
much condemned There examinations, and let add
all these works. by far large portion of them old
works The works." such the fats Of st. Clair
many of Them a-sre equally mportantwh them. Many
of them ore more important than the old works themselves
Il would be extraordinary if there nothing in this bill
against which gentleman could raise his voice. But in The
main the great features Of this such Congress
has usually bestowed its attention upon, such have passed
before in this body and the other House. Under all these
cicums am willing with other gentlemen TO vote for the
bill is, and will state very frankly, for have nothing
to disguise, the why do it. ! understand that,
by the rule Of the other house, you amend bill goes
upon the table, and that takes iwo-thrds vote to take
up and know that If this bill is amended twothds vote
cannot b. obtained take it up agree entirely with gen.
temen that this is debsrave body that this bill has been
pressed forward at moment when great deal OF business
hands and under unavorabe circumstances nobody
here blame When this bill came to Us, the committee
Immediately took it into consideration and passed upon 1t as
the Senate could expect and reported TO the senate
motion might have been made earlier TO take up, but
was nv wish not interrupt the OF business that was
going on here Since however, the Senate has decided 10
take it up all have to ask is that should have vote
upon il and then get to the appropriation bills think
ought TO be done.
M. BUTLER. have very frequently asked the ques-
ton of gentlemen who in favor Of this BILL how the money
to be raised clear all these rivers and effect all these
great and magnificent improvements have asked the ques
ton in private and in various FORMS The reply has been,
we will borrow upon the credit Of the United States How
will you meet the demand when 1t comes to maturity De-
eve the universal reply has been, will increase the tariff
upon the customs that those who vote for this bill must
vote with the understanding that is bill to take two millions
sn 81 Tsssy " h i paaed 10, w W.T. the commence 90
borrow five perhaps millions Of money upon the credit
of the Government for this particular purpose to qudae
which increase the duties upon foreign
If gentlemen will tell they ready in honesty make
Of the public lands fairly, they intended TO pay
of the public debt, if any Of them will tell me they are
ready this time to submit to direct taxation, am willing to
meet them believe this would be good Government,
it were responsible Government; if the people knew how
they taxed and the in which the money ap
propriaed believe this Government can be good Gov
but long you disguise from the people the
form in which the money raised, and leave to combs
nation of meoes appropriate fer sections, or combine
tons OF sections there is responsibility IN this Govern
men ard il is not Government that maintain itself
upon the great principle that the constituents should govern
the representatives How do you raise your money by
borrowing in the first instance How are you TO meet the
payments By duties upon your commerce. Can that
bear the duties and how long bear the duties
necessary meet the payments The time will not be long,
perhaps lot twenty before nearly every thing which
brought here will be raised in the United States and we shall
have no foreign commerce. You very willing TO embark
in all the hazards of debt but few reflect how we to
meet il. ask gentlemen how they will meet the payment
of this debt Borrow. Yes, borrow; borrow as long as
you and when you have ceased borrowing, tax The
foreign commerce such extent that il cannot bear
and then doubt much whether any man will have the
courage propose such system Of taxation will make the
people feel the action of the Government. ...".
know this bill will pass in form other, and all
can do try by my to control the extravaganza OF the
bill Some of its objects worthy. Some address them
selves avoraby to nay judgment but cannot see the pro-
prety OF approprang the money upon experiment have
been told that this is experiment We have the opportu
nifty make but many do not know what rivers and
habors be affected by it and the Senator from Ken
lucky said there things Of which he might not
prove. do not know who will claim the paternity OF the
bill after shall have passed. My friend from Arkansas
(Mr. BonLAND) advocates upon ground; the Senator
from Kentucky upon another and the Senator from Massa
chusets willing take it blind 1t will not undertake to
say that could for the bill any shape. have said
that many Of these great do commend themselves to
the national consideration, and would not exclude them did
feel compelled be consistent with my notions OF the
construction Of the constitution. know there those who
have such scruples will say before conclude that SO
far regards these particular rivers, almost inclined to
for ,hem let the system be exhibited in its char
once, and to let the country it. There
great many willing this hobby, they will End that
il is not able to carry them all. ..5.. ..t |
Mr.. SHIELDS. ask for the yeas and nays the pro-
position. f.. .&
The yeas and nays ordered. ""
Mr.. CASS. shall vote for the amendment, but not on
the ground improper to improve either Of these rivers
into that subject but has been made
estimate has been received from the department in relation
to them Honorable Senators talk about estimates thing
not usual Allow me to say that there is not law on the
statute book made relation to internal improvements that
not founded estimate This is the very first excep
ton What estimate for To give general idea
whether the work will cost million ten millions. II is
give the Executive officer the knowledge how he is to apply
the expenditure. He make estimate of how much
will be required for dredges how much for this and for that
every item being specifically stated Again, how do gentle
men know that $50 900 will be required for the Illinois and
Tennessee How do they know whether that will
be required whether five times much will be required,
or whether one-ffh much will be required Who
tell The honorable Senator says that Congress has right
proper course that has heretofore been pursued
make appropriations except for improvements which
have been estimated for by the departments that may
know the precise expenditure which may be obliged to
60 shall no. go further this matter but where the es
mates the surveys wanting in any instance, shall
vote against the appropriation for that this is the
first case under the Government In which appropriation Of
this character has been made.
Mr. CHASE. hold in my hand the report from the De.
parment Of War with regard to these several items and
wish read single paragraph from it. 1t known tina, this
bill originally reported in the other House. and that in
cuded these very appropriations which are now propos
ed be stricken out In regard to these appropriations, Col
Albert of the typographical engineers in his report to the Sc
cretary Of War; says "Tbese old and weknown ec,
and Of extensive national interest the amounts named in
the bill sufficient for the present fiscal year" Now,
do not know exactly what gentlemen may mean by echni
cal estimate and survey but when find that the department
and says that the proposed be appropriated in the
bill sufficient for the present fiscal year. is enough for
me. shall vote for il most cheerfully.
Mr.. ATCHISON. / wish to make inquiry OF the
Senator from Ohio Did the sentence that he read from the
report Of COL Albert relate the improvement Of the Illinois
and Tennessee rivers
Mr.. CHASE. will the inquiry relates to The