The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-14
MIR. DUER appealed from the decision

81, noes lO3.
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, moved that the
committee rise; and thc motion did not prevail
ayes ~, noes lO3.
There was much confusion during these proceed.
ings
The question was then taken on the motion of
Mr. DUER TO proceed to the consideration of the
River and Harbor bill, and decided in the attirma
tive-ayes 100. noes 9.
Mr.. McLANE, of Maryland, assigned the
floor, having reported the bill, but gave way 10
Mr.. HARRISON, who moved that the commit
tee rise.
The motion was disagreed TO.
Mr.. THOMAS asked if the bill had been printed,
as he had not been able 20 procure copy. | A
voice "Here il ISL
Mr.. sCHENCK. The gentleman has lost his
That's all.
The CHAIRMAN. understand that it has
been printed. A voice "Therc ought TO be moro
copies"
The bill was then read
Mr.. McLANE was about 10 proceed with his re-
marks, when he was asked by several gentlemen TO
yield the floor he did so against his wish, and to
crafty his friends. He preferred however, to go
on with what he had to say.
The committee refused TO risc-ayes 30, noes %.
Mr.. MORSE asked the gentleman whether II was
his intention TO drive the bill through the House
without debate, or whether any time to be fixed
for the termination Of the discussion.
Mr.. McLANE replied that if the chairman of the
Committee of Ways and Means would give him un-
til the fourth Of March, il would afford him great
pleasure to continue the debate until that day; and
he would say further that far as the time for de-
bate concerned, he would be willing to submit
10 the chairman OF that committee looking to the
public business
Mr.. BAYLY begged to- say in reply, that it
seemed to him that the House did not intend TO give
the Committee of Ways and Means a day for the
public business until the fourth of March. Laugh
Mr.. MORSE was understood to say that, if this
bill passed by smothering debate, it would be
forced through; and if debate was allowed it would
,pD 10 Tnn mn
Mr.. McLANE said that when his friends should
come 10 an understanding, il would give him great
pleasure to proceed. The excitement and agitation
manifested on both sides of the House showed that
the subject was of interest and importance. II
there were wanting any consideration which
should satisfy him that he should approach the
subject with elaboration and care, 1t was the UNI
usual feeling which accompanied the motions 10
take it up appropriation bill, because he had
not forgotten, nor had the committee forgotten,
that the last time the bill considered it was con-
sdered and received as a general appropriation
bill, and the bill proceeded with such. He was
bound to assume that il demanded of him care
full and greater consideration in reporting it to the
House, and making such explanations OF its fea-
lures would induce the House 10 give to it their
support. The committee would pardon him for
suggesting to them that there was no relation be-
tween general system OF internal improvements,
as known to the people and the pablo men OF the
country, and the national policy Of the country
there was no relation between this policy and spc-
cifc appropriations for specific rivers and harbors
either for lighthouses buoys or piers. and direct
ing the removal OF distractions. The bill proposes
to provide for public works. in the true constitu-
tional acceptation of the term for the commerce OF
the country. Ii the regulation of commerce and
the laws regulating commerce provide that vessels
shall enter particular ports, and go from partcu-
lar ports, and get their registers and licenses there
then 1t is the duty, under the power which regu-
lates commerce. that the transit of the vessels shall
be made safe in such ports, and that the bill ought
not TO go beyond those limits More than three
hs II he nbrnc ed i'm
adjusted and prepared by the republican Presi-
dents of the country, down to Mr.. Polk The bill
was founded on the principles similar to those on
which the Democracy made their canvass in 1898,
and 1910, and 1874; and he might be allowed to
express some surprise at the heat of opposition
which had become clamorous and factious i'll view
of the political elements alone.
Mr.. BURT said he would be very glad if the
gentleman would say whether the Democratic
party, party, either in Baltimore or elsewhere,
had constructed internal improvements as part
of their platform
Mr. McLANE would give a distinct reply. He
had spoken of rivers and harbors with great care
and candor; and he had presented his distinction
to the committee. What he had said and now re.
peaed, was, that this River and Harbor bill ID the
type of the bills recommended to Congress by
every republican President and signed by every
republican President.
Mr.. BURT said that he found that Jefferson
Madison Jackson, and Polk believed that
amendment of the Constitution Of the United States
necessary to justify the improvement of rivers.
Mr.. McLANE did not say that Jefferson or Mad
ison, or Polk, did not express an opinion that an
amendment Of the Constitution was necessary or
to be desired. What he said was more pertinent TO
the question: that they signed the bills
MIR. BURT. jefferson
Mr.. MCLANE repeated he said that they signed
bills which contained precisely, not particular
sums, and OF the character of the expenditure now
proposed He did not mean TO go so far into de-
tails as to say when and where. reference to the
Congressional Globe would relieve him from the
task for in that work the particulars given in
speeches; but he would simply say that Jefferson
signed such bills. He would not 60 back te Wash
ing ton s administration; we never had as good
one. voice: "That's fact."] Jefferson signed
bills for beacons, and buoys, and piers, and to i'm
prove rivers.
Mr.. BURT. What rivers
Mr.. McLANE. At Port Penn, Newcastle, and
Marcus Hook, to protect against the ice; and Mad
ison signed bill on bill. He protested to believe
that Madison made the true distinction, and that
Jefferson did not make the true distinction. JEFF
ierson made general objection to the whole sys-
tenn, but never insisted it. He took general
view, pointing to abuses, and the question OF con-
stitutionality.
Mr.. Mel. then reviewed the Democratic policy,
and understood to say that there never was an
administration which illustrated 30 fairly and truly
republican policy that of Mr. Van Buren,. The
River and Harbor billwas reported by Silas Wright,
a pure Democrat.
Mr. HOLMES He voted for the tariff
Mr.. McLANE remarked, that he would have
voted for such tariff as Mr. Wright voted for
Mr.. HOLMES asked the gentleman to define
what Democracy ia. Laughter
1--WE could not hear this colloquy with distinct
ness, owing to the noise which prevailed at the
time
Mr. McLANE said that if he had wanted sar-
casm, above all others, to have the inquiry pro-
pounded TO him, he would have selected the gentle
man from South Carolina. [Laugherl
Mr.. HOLMES. have the advantage.
Mr.. MCLANE. Those who live in glass houses
ought not to throw stones, if in the condition of the
gentleman. | hold that the true, virtuous honor
able test Of party is fidelity to his party's
organization. Voices {" Ah,' THAT'S Democ-
racy."l Stop moment When you come to ask
me what Democracy means, you throw into
philosophy and abstraction !; but when you ask me
what is Democracy, as known to the history of the
country, / am prepared to answer. I'll tell you
what it is. T." Hear him. 60 Now Wen have it,
pause
Mr.. CAR TER. If the gentleman will give
way, will move that the committee rise.
The CHAIRMAN. Does the gentleman yield
the floor
MIR. McLANE don't yield il to anybody.
tCries of go on" "Lets hear what Democracy