Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-07-25
From the Washington Republic.
The DOdgcs ON the River and
HarbOr Bill.


HarbOr Bill.
We observe in the Western Demo.
cratic papers very earnest effort TO
shield General Cass and Judge Doug
lass from the consequences Of their
course in the Senate on the River and
Harbor bill. 1t is strenously insisted
that they are friendly to most Of the i'm
provements contemplated by that meas
ure, and were in good faith desirous of
securing its passage in All amended form.
We apprehend that these distinguished
Senators are not entitled to the benefit
of the excuses their friends make for
them in this behalf. It's not improba.
Bile that they were both originally dispo-
sed TO forward the views Of their respect
i've constituents, which are we'll known
10 be warmly in favor of the BILL
Hence it was that General Cass promis-
ed so stoutly to his Black river friends
that he would certainly vote for all they
wanted; and that Judge Douglass found
nothing objectionable in any Of the pro-
posed improvements in his own State.
But, when the bill came up in the House
OF Representatives, it was made the
subject of succession of severe parti-
san skirmishes. Mr.. Morse, of Louis
ana; Mr.. Caldwell, Of Kentucky; Mr..
Bart, Mr.. Richardson, MIR. McMullen,
Mr.. Mcdonald, General Bayley, Mr..
Inge, and most of the @orthodox repub-
licans," took the strongest ground a.
gainst the bill. denouncing it as bill, of
corruptions and denominations; and were
bold enough to read out of the Demo-
cratic party all who veniureG to support
1T. This hostility was manifested at
every stage Of the bill-from the day
that Mr.. McLane made his motion of
the 18th of December. that the House
resolve itself into Committee of the
Whole on the state of the Union, with
a view to enable him to move to take up
the River and Harbor bill, down TO the
day of its final passage in the House.
On the demand of Mr.. Wentworth, the
yeas and nays were ordered on The first
mentioned motion, with result which
we may assume as the starting point for
"drawing the party lines on this SUBJ
iect. There were Yeas los; Nays 81,
Call Democrats. On the final passage
Of the bill the vote stood lO3 yeas to 81
nays, and, though the division shows
some changes from the vote on Mr.. Nc
Lanes motion, it is evident that the
DEMOCRATS had come to conclusion
early in the session to make their strong
party rally in opposition to this bill; and
they succeeded in uniting the whole par
ty in the House of Representatives, less
only some fifteen or twenty members,
ia favor Of the anti-improvemsnt policy.
So strong was the demonstration in
the House that the Senators could not
well do Otherwise than follow the exam
pie thus set TO them. Such was the de-
cision of the Senatorial caucus, the incl
dents of which were generally known
before opening the debate. II was well
understood that the bin was to be defeat
ed in the Senate by loading it with a.
mcndments. and thus sending it back to
the House in the last moments OF the
session, or by speaking and reading it to
death. A direct vote on the bill was to
be avoided, at all events, rs it might
materially damage one or two Presiden-
lial candidates.
On Saturday, the first of March, Mr..
Badger moved in the Senate to postpone
the previo6. orders, for the purpose OF
proceeding to the consideration of the
River and Harbor bill. Mr.. Davis, of
Massachusetts, Mr.. Bell, and Mr.. Clay
urged immediate action on the bill. Mr..
Cass had not word to say on the SUBJ
ject. Mr.. Hunter, Mr.. Bradbury, Mr..
Foote, and other Democratic Senators,
voted against the motion of Mr.. Badger.
Then came in Mr.. Douglas, towards
The close of the debate, with an apology
for voting TO take up the bill. 1t would
not answer for him TO vote against the
motion of Mr.. Badger; but then it was
also desirable to propitiate Mr.. Rheu
and the anti-improvement party in the
two Houses. and to help along the de-
cree of the Senatorial caucus. 81 shall
vote to take up this bill at this time" !"
said Senator Douglas, "for the reason
that desire to have an opportunity to
slate for ,ohat part Of the bill I am IN
faUor, and ,Ohat part am against,
tcsth cie,c Of trying TO put Il in such
a shape that zoe can fasS Il. That will
be my reason for voting to take il up."
Alas. for Young America! Mr.. Cass
gave silent vote in favor of taking up