Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-03-13

Pembroke, on the coast Of Maine, $500
For the improvement OF ;he harbor at the mouth Of
Saginaw river, In Saginaw Bay on Lake Huron, SlO-
600,
For the Improvement of the Bayou La Fourche in
the Mississippi river, S25.0
For the Improvement and further survey of the harbor
at the mouth OF Clinton river, Lake ST. Clair, the
State of Michigan, $4,000.
For the improvement of the harbor at Pultneyyie, in
the State of New York, on Lake Ontario, $4,000.
For the improvement of the harbor at the mouth OF
Black river, in the State of Michigan $4,000.
For survey of the harbor Beaufort, North Caro-
lima, with estimate Of the and advantages TO
saIt harbo, OF connecting the river Neuse Herewith
For the survey of the Mississippi river above the Falls
of ST. Anthony, for the purpose of ascertaining what
improvements (and the expense thereof) be made
in the navigation at Sauke and Pike RAPIDS 5000.
For completing the Typographical and photographed
with additional surveys having reference to the
flowing OF the Mississippi river, $4,000.
For survey of the harbor at Mobile, $1,000
For surveying the entrance TO Taunton barbor, Mas
sachusetts, 81 800.
For the improvement and further survey Of the harbor
at Richmond City, Virginia, and the james river from
said harbor to the mouth OF said river, $50 ,000
For the construction Of snag and dredge boats and
dischargng scows, for the removal of distractions
the harbors on the coast of Texas, $4,000.
For the removal of Middle Rock. designated on the
Connecticut, S6,000."
1t will be seen that this bill completely encrcles the
Union. 1t commences the Atlantic border and goes
to the northernlakes Its friends finding that il had not
yet sufficient merit or strength TO pass this body they
proceed the northwestern lakes, They again look
the interest it embraces and find its and strength
not yet sufficient. They pass down the Mississippi
still they find it unable to drag itself through They in.
cludc the Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, Red river and
still its fate is doubtful They 30 to the Gulf then
travel into Texas then the South thence to Charles
ton, thence to the place of beginning NV it has
circled all.
Now, sir who believes that if this bill was subdivded
into twenty bills and each appropriation made to de.
pend upon its own merits, that it could pass into a law
presume that those who got up knew full well that
such bill could not pass, unless it all combined
none.
! Mr Chairman, thought Indianians had learned a
lesson from this clog rolling" system OF legislation 1t
was just such bill that passed the Legislature of my
State IN 1886, adopting general system OF internal i'm
provemen First there proposed surveys for cer-
tain roads and canals That intended, and had the
desired effect of committing the State the system
Next came the proposition for canal in heeastern part
OF my State that could succeed unless its fortune
was linked with other sections. Next the Madison and
Indianapolis railroad added strong enough vet
The New Albany and Vnicennes turnpike road was ad-
mted into the bill not strong enough yet. The New
Albany and Lafayette road was included: not strong
enough yet. A long canal demanded and obtained
running down the west fork of White river, called the
Central Canal: not strong enough yet. Several more
works added, connecting and interviewing the
northern tier OF counties with this enormous mammoth
system. Then, sir, il had force enough pass itself
Ihen sir. the voice OF the safe legislator senced
in the general clamor Of the favored majority. The hill
passed. Millions were borrowed at heavy interest.
every dollar OF the money proposed to be appropriated
by this bill must be- and at time whep your public
debt is between scventy-tve and hundred millions
dollars But still the works commenced; holes
and bitches were cut, embankmens thrown up, engn-
!
road and but few years elapsed before the thunder
complaints OF the tax payers were heard; general dis
content was expressedhe cry Of repeal and suspen-
sion heard from end of the State the other
Others clamored for classification, that these
works should go by one and that the peoples
money should not be expended, except work at
time. Still sectional interest prevailed and each held
to the whole in fear of losing their pet work. until all
1 fell with tremendous crash The people stopped the
taxes, The State debt SIS. 1000 ,0O0; no
interest paid for several years. but still accumuat
ing with alarming raPidity. The young Commonwealth
groancd under the enormous weight.
Again; this bill proposes reswreg OF the Cape Fear
river, below Wilmington. and FOR the survey OF the har
Dor at the mouth Of the New river below Jacksonville
North Carolina, and appropriates $4,000. After this
surrey and after your Government is committed to these
works, you to be asked for $4,000 $4,000 to
construct these harbors and then $4,000 annually TO
prove and repair this made harbor and goes
the peoples money.
Another item Tor the Improvement and further sur
reg OF the harbor Baltimore city and the Paapsco
river, &c. $50 600.
! Only think Of proposition for further surrey, at
one OF the oldest cities the Union. Further surrey,
What next2 Why of course further appropriation 81
money from the Treasury. What need is there OF
Uey the report OF the engineer not to be the basis oil
further appropriations
But Mr. Chairman. cast your eyes down along the
items of this BILL and you 900 appropriated for
further surrey of the mouth OF Clinton river on lake ST
Clair; and 81 800 for survey oil the harbor al
Beaufort North Carolina, with the view of connecting
some river Herewith.
Another surrey for the Mississippi above the falls
st. Anthony iiad how expense it will be to
improve it, So eco. Then, future, you must be asked
! for more money, more money
Another survey of the delta Of the Mississippi, having
reference to the overo wing OF that river, $30OOO
What he done do you suppose after the engineer
ports? Why, sir. an enormous be demanded tC
stop the Father OF Waters form overlooking. What else
is to be intended and where is this extravaganza to end
Bat again; another surrey oil the harbor OF Mobile
5000.
i Another surrey for the habor at Taunton, Massachu
| sets, 81 800
Another further survey Of the harbor at Richmond Vr
ginia and James river, 500, 900.
1t is only to contemplate the millions upor
millions of money that this bill lays the foundation for
1t is the beginning of the species of extravaganza
that grew up under the administration of John Quincy
Adams, from 1924 to 1923, and which caused Genera
jackson exhibit the following remarkable demands
made by the committees of the two Houses oil Congress
during the first year of his administration. He says
% The desire to embark the Federal Government II
works of internal improvement prevailed in the hghes
degree during the first session OF the first Congress tina
| had the honor in my present situation. Whe
the bill authorizing subscription on the part oil thu
United States for stock in the Baysve and Lexington
Turnpike Company passed the two Houses, there ha'
been reported by the Committees Internal Improve
bills containing appropriations for such objects, ex
elusive of those for the Cumberland road and for harbor
and light houses the of about Sl06 900 GOO
In this is included authority TO the Secretary
Treasurer to subscribe for the stock OF the different com
panies TO great extent and the residue principal
liz for the direct construction of roads by this govern