Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-29

commerce Look a the enormous annual expenditure for
the security Of foreign trade while nothing is given for the
security and advancement of on the great waters of
the richest valley in the world.
The honorable Senators, who sernly and resoutey OPP
pose this b think the majority oughtto abandon it. They
say in the first place, that taken up according 70
ia rebt of precedence the calendar have already
that this bill had precedence Of the civil and diplomatic bill
according 70 the usual order Of business in the Senate I
consideration pressed in preference all other measures
because Of its great importance to the interests Of great and
neglected section Of the Union The EFFICIENCY impes-
p' M II Downs Why wa. it no, brought forward earlier
Mr. BELL It was no, sent to the Senate until the 25th
Mr. FOOTE. i can tell the history Of the matter.
Mr.. BELL. do not want TO hear any private history,
and there could be motive among its friends in either
House to delay it. know the Committee Commerce Of
the Senate, who had numerous memorials before them the
subject thought better wait until the House Of Represe-
atves decided the question. The general principles
nected with the subject have long since been fully discussed
and every member doubtless had his mind made before the
bill was taken up Let the minority, who are opposing this
BILL say when such will pass Congress- If this
is abandoned now. II already said that this obso
ete poicy that Mr. Folks veto of 1916 killed it. There
was good reason for not pressing measure OF this kind
while MI Folk continued in power and, besides the Mex
for the time, absorbed the public attention and the
resources Of the Treasury AT the last session Of Congress
need not say what feelings and what interests operated TO
defer any Of this character They well known
the recollection Of them is too vivid to require passing
notice fomme. During Mr. Polk administration this whole
policy was arrested and this is the FIRST session since that
e when the subject could be renewed with any prospect Of
success We have apparent majority Of eight ten
in favor Of this measure and why should it not be passed
Ample time has been allowed its opponents to discuss in
every aspect Of il.
Mr. Downs. would like 10 know If general system
Of internal improvements not advocated by the Wing
party during the last Presidential campaign
Mr.. BELL. Not to my knowledge. have never advo-
Gated general system Of internal improvements sustain
ed General Jackson in his ohat system The honorable
Senator peaks Of general system Of internal improvements
have adveed TO that distinction hundred times in discuss
ing these questions before the people, have not considered
that gentlemen Of the Democratic pary party,
mted against the Improvement Of rivers and harbos We
have only TO compain that they conform to their prn-
cples upon this subject The honorable Senator from Mchi
gan Mr CAss) would not in my opinion, be inconsistent
would not contradict the principles Of the Baltimore PLATFORM
if he voted for every item 10 the bill His doctrines, avow-
ed in this debate the subject Of improving the rivers and
harbors Of the West have been held for many years. in my
section Of the country, as good Wing doctrine.
But sorry to have said any thing in relation to party
in speaking of subject which ought be free from party
considerations altogethsrwhch ought to be emancPaed
from the endorsements Of party feelings and party interests
should not have adverted 10 at all but for the neoga
tory Of the Senator from Louisiana.
Honorable Senators expect the majority to yield, be-
they say the bill ought not to be thrown on the last
days of the session. Now, have been member of Con-
gess, Of house the other for eighteen years, and
have never known time when all great and leading mea
not thrown the last days Of the session. have
attributed this design 1t is inevitable result
the organization and practical operation of our system Of
legislation, asr. 1
MI. FOOTE. It is by design, think.
Mr. BELL. II always requires labor and time before such
be digested in committee 1t requires careful
consideration TO select proper points for improvementim
such bills should be reported early in the session. always
happens that they last considered have never known
the appropriation bills be passed till within the few last days
of the session. And may ask why the appropriation bills
have been delayed until the last Of the session. know es
Inmates required be early but does that forward
materially expedite the bills We may differ about the
Of delays but the fact il have stated If now sir
with apparent majority Of nine ten in favor Of this BILL
we yield, may expect to pass such bill at the next SEES
sion Of Congressl May not expect to have renewa
then Of the obstinate spirit of opposition which
behold Why sthee such determined spirit of opposition
to this bill by the minority of the Senate But do gentle
expect by this to defeat the policy of making
appropriations internal trade forever II is essential tina
the great West should know whether they may may
rely upon the Government of the United States to aid in
moving the distractions in their great rivers and lakes
providing for the security Of ehe lives and property 1t
important that they should know this that they may
walked up TO full consideration of the subject
the mode of relief Something must be done.
Honorable Senators have threatened that the majority will
be held responsible if the appropriation bills should fail Ian
not SO vain undertake to predict with certainty what
be the consequence to the maj y They may be censured
their political prospects may be destroyed by persstng in h
measure but such is not my opinion may be well for tn
minority to consider what may DO the consequence them
they persist against the manifest sentiment Of the majority
in wearing out the session in opposing this measure.
wish to ask my honorable friends the other side Of th
chamber they desire to the previous question adopted
the Senatel never d. want to it established
as rule Of this body; but warn gentlemen that they arr
provoking the establishment Of such rule, do not blame
gentlemen for resoring to all constitutional and parliamentary
means in opposing at any time really obnoxious measure
If this vicious measure, If bill Of enormtie
in reality, if it bill voatory Of any great principle
public liberty Of the Constitution would say Senators
perfectly usifabe in their but this deny a
Gentlemen have denounced this bill Of enormi,ies
Let them point to the items which constitute this enomity
let them point to single item Of such nature Opponent
Of the bill have spoken than twenty hours and they
have not yet pointed of these enormities But
to the question do honorable Senators wish to see thu
previous question introduced the rules Senate
Mr.. FOOTE. believe we never will have it here. ;4
Mr.. BELL believe majority Of the Senate can, b,
the constitution, at every Congress- adopt rules and
uations to govern their proceedings and will be in be
power to establish the previous question OF the rules
too trust shall adopt it. But If these appropria
tons withheld from the great West they will send ma
oy here that will wres from the minority the power 10 de-
feat these bene6cent objects shall be most reluctant
shall be among the last the adoption Of the pre-
vous question in the Senate il be possible to avoid IT, ant
yet do justice TO the claims Of the great interests Of the
try The Senate ought to be body which would never
qure resort 10 such mode of enforcing the will of the
joy, OF of providing for the wants of the country
privilege of debate, either in House or in the other
should be free and unrestricted. We should have fv
minutes rue-no hour rule Iconsder it of the creates
safeguards Of liberty and union that debate should be free
But If the minority will tonight, persist and defeat this bill