The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-04-02

W LIZ
do this and shall hear OF these combinations
and CONCEPTIONS freely charged | call upon
southern gentlemen. especially those who We
hsnent in their opposition this BILL consider whether
thew are net re ay for whatever
may belong To it. Will they allow no weight 10 the
opinions OF such Madison Monroe, Adams. Jack
son, ana Calhoun TO say nothing OF the doctrines oil
living aAassmeni During General Jack sons adminisira
ton, notwithstanding his famous of the Maysve
road iAsrs wse about live millions OF
lees extent, continued through Mr. Van Burens admin
ltatOe If the opposition 10 this bill had been content TO
authority oil these pecedens and united
with ~ rends. we could have framed bill Tree from all
Ob1ecttoNo-0ne satisfactory 10 all sections
Il haa heen commended by those who doubt the const
tstiona1 power OF Congress to make internal improve
Ant. lhd the proper would be to obtain clear
grant the power by amendment to the constitution
II that were practicable, would be against it, am OPP
posed TO general system OF internal improvements;
woad not have such power given by the constitution
Some contend that the power now exists to construct
roads md canals in the States That is not SO clear
involves ahe exercise oil jurisdiction within the States
which Do not bold TO, do think IL expedent
to make appropriations for such objects 1t would lead
s.aa ON s Bsmos ana e
ton to internal improvements. am opposed to general
system ofinsrna improvements, but am in favor OF the
improvements Of the navgable rivers and harbors. am
in favor ot sAording facilities 10 the commerce on the
great lakes and the gable waters OF the West
" sed csnn away Here clear field for
the exercise OF jurisdiction by Congress under the com
msrcal power given in the constitution, to say nohing
Ii has been suggested by high authority that the proper
and lust mode OF extending facilities to inland commerce.
10 Improvement Of rivers and iaiSors, would DC TO
and other vessels engaged in the commerce upon the
lakes and rivers II such mode be the best for inland
commences let also be adopted in reference TO foreign
commence. The commercial power given by the consti
tuition extensive and unlimited, when applied to in
land commerce. as to external Let even-handed justice
be dealt to both. Here beg again to refer to the con-
tEaSt between the expenditure OF the in giving
protection and facilities to foreign and those given to
inland commerce. Look at the enormous annual expend
thurs fox the security OF foreign trade while nothing Is
given for the security and advancement of commerce on
The great waters Of the riches, valley in the world
The honorable senators, who sternly and resoluely
oppose this bil. think ihe majority ought TO abandon
IL They say in the hst place. that it was not taken up
according 10 ts right OF precedence on the calendar
have already shown that this bill had precedence OF the
civil and diplomatic bill, according to the usual order OF
business in the Senate Its consideration was pressed
in preference to all other measures because OF ITS great
importance 10 the interests OF great and neglected sec
ton OF the Union Ths exigency was imperative and
Nj DOWNS. Why was it not brought forward
MI BELL. Il was not sent TO the Senate until the
25th Of February,
Mr.. BELL lido not want to hear any private history,
and there could be motive among its friends in either
house TO delay it.. know the Committee on Commerce
of the Senate. who had memorials before them
the subject. thought better TO wait until the House
OF Representatives decided the question The general
principles connected with me subject have long since
been fully discussed and every member doubtless had his
mind made up befoe the bill taken up. Let the M
nor'ty, who are opposing this BILL say when such a
measure will pass Congress- if this 10 abandoned
now II is already said that this is obsolete policy
that Mr.. Folks veto of 1916 killed it. There was a
good reason for not pressing measure OF this kind while
Mr.. Polk continued in power and besides, the Mexican
for the time, absorbed the public attention and the
Of the treasury AT the last session OF Con-
sress need not say what feelings and what interests OPP
Grated to defer any OF this character They
too well known the recollection OF them is too vivid to
require even passing notice from me. During Mr.
Folks administration this whole policy was arrested ;
and this the first session since that time when the sub
ect could be renewed with any prospect of success We
have now an apparent majority OF eight or ten 10 favor OF
this measure, and why should it not be passed. Ample
time has been allowed its opponents TO discuss it in every
Nj. DOWNS. would like to know if general system
OF internal Improvements not advocated by the wing
party during the last presidential campaign
Nj. BELL. Not to my knowledge. have never ad.
vocated general system OF internal improvements.
sustained General Jackson in bis veto Of that system
The honorable senator speaks OF general system of in
ternal Improvements. have advered TO that distinction
hundred times in discussing these questions before the
people. have not considered that gentlemen OF the dem
ocraiic party, as party, were committed against the i'm
provenen of rivers and harbos We have only complain
that they never conform TO their principles upon this sub
iect The honorable senator from Michigan Mr.. CAss
would not in my opinion, be inconsistent-would not
contradict the principles OF the Baltimore pationn-f he
voted for every item The bill His doctrines as avowed
in this debate the subject of improving the and
harbo OF the West have been held for many years, in
my section OF the country. as good wing doctrine.
But sorry have said anything in relation TO party
in speaking OF subject which ought 10 be free from
party considerations aliogeherwbich ought 10 be
cpaed from the endorsements of party feelings ard
party interests should not have advered il at al
but for the inteogaoEy OF the senator from Louisiana
Honorable senators expect the majority to YIELD be
they say the bill ought to be thrown on the
days Of the session. New, have been member OF
Congress- of house or the other for eighteen years.
and have never known time when all great and lead
ing measures were not thrown the last days OF the
session. have never attributed this to design Ii is
inevitable result OF the organization and practical opera
ton of our system OF legislation.
Mr.. FOOTE. Tits by design, think
MIR. BELL. II always requires labor and time be fore
such measure be dges,ed in committee Itreauires
careful consideration TO select proper points for improve
neutrality-suspicious. that be defended upon princple
and though such bill should be reported early in The
sion, always happens that they are last considered
have never known the appropriation bills be passed I'll,
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 estimates required to be
sent In early but does that forward materially expe
dite the bills We may dc about The causes OF delay
parent majority OF nine in favor OF this BILL we
yed may we expect TO pass such bill at the
son OF congress- We may not expect TO have a renewal
en o' tne same obstinate spirit of opposition which we
now nehodt Why is there such a determined spirit of
oson 70 nus bull by the minority Of the Senate BIT
w expect by this defeat the policy OF
~ wy opfia'lons 10 internal trade forever II IL
ssss. As .e eteal West should know whether thew
may OF may MOI rely upon the government Of The n,e
States 10 and IN removing the obs,ruc,,ons IN ~,
rivers ana lakes, and providing for The sec,r,, 80 -
lives and property IL Is mpor,sn, thai ,ba, ~
this, 10 that they may be walked no To hi @ Know
consideration OF the subject and tue of relief Snme