The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-16

senator's amendment. | consider il due 10 me that
should stale that rad IN regard 10 bis own views that
the restrictions to be pressed We should eet nothing
said 40 general principle. essd TO the policy els
non TO appropriations OF this kind generally taking The case
Of the iver Ohio as example hai would not vote 10
restrict HE appropriation 10 particular improvements, I'M
lees they decidedly and permanently superior, and
demanded attention above all others. For example,
an appropriation were made to clear out lhe Muscle
shoals 10 dig canal around the Muscle shoals IN the
Tennessee then the object would be clear and obs
GUS We should make an appropriation which would DC
specific But this appropriation Is of the improvement Q,
that coDcuued with the hoporabe senator from Ala
bama, that this appropriation ought properly TO be applied
this particular section 10 which he means TO restrict
happen to feel particular interest IN that section OF the
river because there railroad connected win the nav
cation upon that rver so that you can go by steam from
Nashville TO Chattanooga in very short time and II the
river navgabe al that point great chain OF commu-
ncation is opened But. independently OF the particular
way OF getting along with great measure OF this sort at
the close OF session. should think mpolitc TO at
tempt To restrict the appropriation to any part OF the river
even that upon which the had his eye more par
uculaTy directed agree with him that II is the more
important part of the but gel along with
OF this sort al any period OF any session,
we limit the appropriations TO sections OF rivers was
therefore, upon the general principles and dsayow the
motive imputed to me.
Sill. Mr. President beg to say that hold tito be
soand motive, il had adopted IT, III the special
advocate OF this bill, "wilh all its imperecons It's
head"~and admit there great impenechons il
thought greater good would be done, upon principles OF
It's defeat, and it wanted to that greater good
would vote against the amendments in detail and not
merely those hostile TO my views and wishes in order TO
secure IT al all events against the accidents and chances
| oil limited time for s consideration
| MIR FOOIE Mr.. President, we learn in the school.
books that
| 'Ta oaks from little acorns grow
Large stieams from ule fountains flow"
Now, understand that all the rivers of this country,
Of water. in lakes inland seas, but actually from
fountains They are small in the beginning. They in
crease as they flow on, until OF them become vast
rivers, extending throughout the limits OF the United
States. Now, sir, the honorable senator's argument
just presented gives money to the Improvement OF each
OF these rivers from the mouth TO the source, long
as the name OF the continues to be applied TO it, up
very spring whence the river emanale and the senator
Is bound, according TO the notions now advanced by him.
10 vote appropriations for the Improvement OF that stream
throughout its full extent cannot imagine legislation
more unreasonable than that would be. think prac
ca Legislators, we should have some substantial object
IN view always For one, will never consent 10 appro
pirate the public money except Tor useful purposes.
have just much objection 10 voting appropriations for
the Improvement OF any stream in thus country, from the
mouth TO the head o'it, along its whole course both
where II It's navigabe and where It is not as would
have TO making appropriations Tor the Improvement of
stream one hundreds yards in extent and which Just
in the same pedcamen, with The upper portions of all the
streams OF this country To wit incapable by any improve
ment that be gested OF being rendered seryceabe
Tor purposes OF commercial navigation Have not SAID
enough to show that II Is important that should look
TO the various streams We propose 10 improve. and
that the appropriations are adopted by us IN such form
as actually 10 contribute 10 extent TO the attainment
OF those great commercial ends which alone we should
have in view in my opinion, in all these claims for
nal improvements But the honorable says that
Tor his part he is not willing TO NEEDLE with this matter
at all, Notwithstanding he has very clear and distinct
views with regard 10 the total improperly of applying any
portion OF the money TO which this particular appropria
lon intended 10 apply, 10 the altemp to improve the
navigation OF any other portion oil the river than that
dicated by the amendment He IS not willing to aid US
in applying the appropriation TO the particular portion OF
the river where alone it can be usefully expended In
Il he
biity OF appropriaung money with distinct probability
existing and which he fully understands that the money,
or large portion OF IT, will be wasted cannot
any such views For my own part, intend at every
vote give upon this bill 10 have practical and BEN
efcla result in view will give one single vote that
believe IS not calculated actually TO advance the OF
internal improvements this country, connected with
the great interests of internal and existing commerce
say again that this the las, the world upon
which hasiy legislation ought TO occur have already
seized the opportunity, and seize again, 10 say that
there is member OF this body xious than my
sell that the bill may pass, amended to embrace
measures OF national interest," and properly guarded But
such measures are most seriously hazarded in my opn-
ion, by being brought into association with Of
wholly different character THIS course OF legislation,
my Judgment, utterly msche vous especially II be
true, asserted in the public prints OF the country that
this bill Is gotten up with view TO accommodate different
sectors whose votes needed to carry through, and
that ninety odd congressional districts benefited by
the bill in the present shape TO enable the friends
OF II to carry il by mears OF a combination OF votes OBJ
tanned, vii, not say by bargaining, and intrigue, and
management but III a manner, which If known to the
people OF this country would Justly excite their highest
adherence and disgust |, would be ntroduc ng also
precedent which will be exceedingly mschievous in
time TO come Whenever our leg islaon is conducted
upon principles of traffic and sectional manag
the time will have when the glory - institu
tons will have passed away, and The institutions them.
selves will be ready TO fall into the gulf OF utter iun and
destruction.
Mr.. BRIGHT A few general remarks will indicate
my course upon this bill voted to take up the bill,
not Tor the purpose OF voting for in its present shape
fer il have the alternative presented to Of taking the
bill il is or laying the table shall against
There various items IN II that not national IN their
character that have been estimated for by any OF the
departments authorized TO estimate Tor such work that
have been put Tor the purpose OF enhancing the value
OF private property particular points will not vote
for the bill if has any appropriation in il for either the
Tennessee, the Arkansas, the Illinois would
not vote tor II II II bad an appropriation IN II Tor any
to be national in its character None OF the rivers
have named do believe TO be national in their charac
ter There principle involved in this thing which
has formed part OF the history OF the party to which
am attached notwithstanding that believe the wants
OF western such The Ohio and Mississippi, TO
be such that their Improvement is almost ndspensaby
necessary to commerce and TO the protection OF lite.
will not violate principle by voting Tor these tributary
merely for the sake OF getting appropriations upon
the Mississippi and Ohio II the bill can be narrow
ed down TO that point TO embrace only appropra-
ton for works national in their character and which
have been estimated for by the various departments that
have been authorized 10 estimate, ! will vote for it.
Whenever we reach that point at which shall become
convinced that il is impossible narrow it down to
these points, shall vote to lay it upon the table.
/ Mr. HAMLIN. Mr. President, I regret extremely that
deem II TO be my duty at this unproptious time TO
cupy share OF the time OF the Senate and still must
do at all hazards And in doing so. think shall in.