The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-02-15

remarked that no business could then b done oa
private claims.
Mr.. ASIIMUN, asking If there we're nst sev-
eral private bills on the table, was answered BY
the SPEAxE1 that there were some twelve or four
teen. He then suggested ths propriety OF dispos-
ing of those bills IN preference to going into Com
mttee of the Whole.
After some conversation between Messrs DAn-
TEL and AsHAun, the question was put and de-
c'dsd u he negative, Ayes 76-noss S6.
to have the river and harbor bill printed, together
with the amendments reported by the Committee
|. on Commerce.
Mr.. BURT, in view Of the proposition TO close
debate on the bill Tomorrow, said he should OBJ
ject to the order for printing
T Mr.. THOMAS said that this was private
claim day, he would move to proceed to the con-
sideraton Of the private bills on tho SrEAxER1
table, The SPEAKER stated that to be the regular
order, when
Mr.. McLANE addressed the CmAla, stating
that he had not yielded the floor Alter some con
versatiOn With the SPEAKER on the subject, he
moved the usual resolution for closing debate on
The river and harbor bill tomorrow at 2 clock.
tie said that he had consulted with gentlemen OPP.
posed to the bill, and particularly with the Chair
man Of the Committse OF Ways and Means.
Mr: BURT. The matter IL not debatesbls.
SPEAKER. 1t ia not.
Mr.. FEATHERSTON moved to Law the reso-
luton on the table. Negatived: ayes 70, nays ia
Mr.. F. p. STANTON called for the previous
question.
Mr.. BURT suggested modification Of the
row at clock.
Mr.. McLANE modified his resolution az that
4 clock should be the time fixed on. Agreed to-
Mr.. SCHENCK said il three days were given
to the consideration of each appropriation bill,
the session would have to be extended one month
Inc previous and main questions were then
ordered, and the resolution was adopted
Mr.. FEATHERSTON moved to 60 into Com
mlttee OF the Whole, in order to proceed to the
discussion OF the river and harbor bill.
Mr.. STRONG rose and called the attention of
the House TO the case Oh Mr.. Messervy, delegate
from New Mexico. Il had been postponed to last
Monday. he moved to proceed to the consider
alton of that report. Objected to.
Mr.. FEATHERSTON'S motion was then
: agreed to, and the House went into Committee OF
the Whole on the
RIVER AND HARBoR BILL.
! Mr.. MEADE in the chair.
Mr.. McLANE being entitled to the floor, rose
, and submitted some remarks in reference to the
= discursive character Of his speech yesterday,
which ne attributed to the impairment questions
8 then put TO him. He then sent to the clerk Ia
BILE to be read, statement from the Typographical
bureau OF public works, authorized by law. Mr..
Mel. then went on to specify certain rivers for
n which he should propose to Increase the appro-
s prIations provided by the bill. He said that he
! should reserve until the close of the debate his
views as to what are regulations Of commerce
what they were under the State governments be
Il fore the adoption of the Constitution, and what
they had since been. He should also show v hat
was meant by commerce, both foreign and domes.
tic, under the Constitution
Mr.. MORSE said that the little time given for
the discussion ofthis BILL prevented him from 90
ing into it's general merits. He read from the
journals of the House for the year 1913, to show
tk,utk ~ uaIf As,H
together against resolutions affirming the consti-
,utional power of the government to make internal
improvements. He proceeded to say that under
i the clause of the Constitution relating to the
general welfare, iniquities had been perpetratel
; which had produced those distractions that had
shaken this Union TO It's centre. Mr. Polk, to hi.
a eternal honor had vetoed one Of these bills If hi
n had done nothing else, that act alone ma de hi.
J. memory dear to every Democrat His areum eptt
e were unanswerabe. If the Pennsylvania doc
'rine OF protection and of interfering with Stat,
rights over rivers and harbors were Democrat,
l. measures, then ne was no Democrat. No mar
d was more devoted to the Union than himself. bu
= not that Union and Constitution which rides owe
and breaks down State rights No party ties, M
e personal responsibilities would prevent him under
> such circumstances to declare for disunon Fl.
J. regarded these measures as more mischievous tc
Union. than the agitation of the slavery question
Mr.. NJ. then went on to condemn the system oil
bribery, whereby members were induced TO SUP.
o port the river and harbor BILL He commented
n with severity upon the course Of the supporters
OF the doctrine of a revenue tariff, who were vot-
a ing the enormous expenditures proposed for the
e coming hscaf year. re believed it would be in
order to amend the bill before the committee. bv
adding thereto bull increase the rates of duties
, on Imports, with view TO provide means TO carry
out the objects OF the measure. Southern men
who threatened disunion if the government shou d
r exercise the simpler power Of legsIaing for the
territories IN relation ia the subject OF slavery are
ready to vote millions Of dollars to corrupt the
{ people of the States. He concluded by referring
TO the numerous memorials before the House
a showing that many Of the improvements mad &
by the government on Western rivers had operated
injuriously.
i Mr.. FITCH prefaced bis speech with some re-
marks relating to the history of this measure,
from which he inferred that complaints as to fore
ing itthrough without discussion, were not well
founded lie stated the opinions of former Pre-
e sidents upon the subject. This bill was national
in its character. II contemplated the benefit of
all parts OF the country. ltshoud receive the sup
port OF all parties. He was surprised to hear
those Democrats who support this measure de-
nounced as deserters from the faith. In the Sem
ate, such Democrats as ALLEN, BENroN, CAss.
DICKINSON, Rush, and others, had voted for sin,
liar bill at previous session. The democracy of
e those men was worth more than that Of all those
Democratic members that were favorable In
the objects Of the bill. Mr. r. was NOT in favor
, OF internal improvement as the doctrine was un-
derst Cd, at the time Of the Of the MaysviIe
{ railroad. That matter was well understood in
Indiana. He would not vote appropriations for
, roads, either for national or State purposes.
: Mr. SPALDlNG obtained the floor and spoke
at length, stating the history Of the legislation of
the country relating to internal improvements, and
] referring to Mr.. JEFFERSON and Mr.. CALHOUN 3
views and acts upon this point He mentioned
sundry bills appropriatIng for roads, which had
. received Mr. JEvrERsoS's signature, and read
from report of Mr. CALHOUN, in which the doc
trne of appropriating for roads for the purposes
> Of commerce, and for the conveyance of the mails
(. was advocated at the close Of his remarks
Mr.. CLfNGMAN obtained the floor but gave
way to
: Mr.. q. w. JONES, who suggested that the
a committee take recess. After some conversa-
ton, unanimous consent was given therefor, and
the committee then took a recess until clock,
r. NJ.
BARON RoTHscHILD-The Paris correspond.
ent Of the Courier dss Etats Uniy contains the