The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-21


Congress- but happened be travelling BY there with
member who had just thea returned We were on the
steamboat landing about 10 depart aud, usual Of
rends called 10 us before We lett There was
among them who had formerly lived in Louisiana,
but was then citizen OF ST. LOUIS, aud VITO very
advocate OF this measure and lac made us very
decided speech IN favor OF H. Pon'ins ou into The rver
he said. ~ ou the bar down there Don't you The
boats cannot and tbere-eanno go thefe a. all Don't
you what the situation Is ?" Well sir, my friend,
who had voted against the bull, argued The matter with
him. and said thai II The boats could land there they
could 10 some where else and land They had proti,
slit argument between them and not being member OF
Congress- and not therefore having voted upon The bi
listened very attentvely TO all that was said. And
must confess that think the member OF Congress who
had voted against the bill hal rather the best oil 1t
could not myself, II they could not land lhefe why
they could not land two hundred or three hundred
yards higher up two hundred three hundred yards
lower down
eman who had called TO us went away. and II so
happened that another gentleman called 10 see US lie
citizen OF 81 LOUIS and whose judgment IN
all these matters worthy oil being entitled TO great
deal OF credit. Not knowing that we had been CONVEX
about this subject he commenced 10 speak about IT.
Why" said he II can show you the absurdty of this
appropriation There parcel OF people who 1--we down
in the lower part Of the city OF st Louis who would
make you believe that the nation ruined il you do not
make the boats land there But is really matter IN
which the nation is not concerned at all; for the great
oi The people III ST. Louis would Just lel the
steam boats should land up here down there. Blu,
those who own property down there want the landing to
| be there"
Now that is the whole principle OF the matter. 1t does
make single dollars difference to the city OF 81.
Louis or the nation but il is very important 10 those
people who live down where the bar formed to have
removed as TO renslale Their property IN It's former
value Now. can we adopt this course Of policy N re.
gard this subjects II that is 10 be the you must
follow up the changes OF the banks OF the Mississippi
everywhere and tits not unlrequently that these changes
take place Ii the changes made in the banks OF
The Mississippi ST. LOUIS they will be made somewhere
else for they constantly occurring in different places
all along the river. Why, in some paces--in New Or,
leans for nsancethere solid land where steam
boats, within my recollection, used 10 lands and II
| is extending itself constantly just as 1t is now ia 81
Louis, and steamboats, cannot land near there with
any convenience Works have been annually constructed
therewharves extended out into the river tor the accom-
mediation OF commercial the expense OF the State 50 IN
other parts OF the State the landings have been destroyed
by eaying in OF the banks at high water and very
large OF money have been expended in repairing
| those breaches
| Now. are we to adopt policy here by which we are
10 pay this particular item OF expense when expenses
10 much greater amount have been for years past paid
by the States themselves Nov, should like 10 know
what right ST. Louis has to ask the United States govern
ment pay Tor exactly the thing that we have done
ourselves, and never have asked compensation Tor!
think this fair sample OF things that are IN This
bill, There is particular, Individual private interest
concerned in having This work done but The city OF 81
Louis, the State Of Missouri, the United States govern
ment, not at all interested whether the STEAMBOATS,
land hundred yards higher up hundred yards lower
! down Well suppose you make this Improvement: per
haps len years from il will be Just bad when
you have expended this money, as ever was and You
Will have 10 expend the same amount or more Then
agaR you will carry out The principle, have TO follow
the bar up is formed, and il may extend for miles and
miles, and keep continually forming think there could
rot be stronger ILLUSTRATION OF the improperly, the IN
expediency, and injustice done 10 other places than 10
vide instances Of this kind and Tor the construction
sucn work this There great many landings on
the Mississippi rivers and this appropriation Is allowed
doubt thers many others who will apply with ht
same Justice for appropriations for such works Tor the
benefit What difference does II make where the land
ings are
il will facilitate and increase the commerce of The coun
try. Now. would ask gentlemen to show me what dit
ference makes IN the commerce OF the country whether
steamboat lands one hundred yards higher up al TIM
point one hundred yards lower DOWN. Will il max,
the difference of single pound OF freight, or increase
lower The expense OF carrying IT. or make any change
whatever way the other How, then, will IL Ia
clale commerce How do you benefit commerce By
ppropating this money! You do not do at all. You
do nothing for commerce you do nothing for the nation
you DO nothing Tor the city but you put 900 into the
hands OF individuals who live down IN that part OF the
city, by OF which they improve their property
Now. do not think that was intended that appro
priaons should be made for purposes OF this kind think
that the people OF Missouri were poed at THIS day,
would be doubtful If you would get majority IN favor
Of thus proposition Al any rate, know that there is
great diversity OF opinion IN regard 10 this measure
think this is tar specimen oil the objects OF thus bull
have no doubt # knew all the facts with regard &c
he places the United slatesal the interests that
lbeewe would Ind something OF the same kind OF argu
ment almost everywhere. Now, what necessity 10 there
! for all these appropriations We have heard gtea
here about The necessity Tor
places OF safety, and places Tor lapdlng, Now If
going TO make these places all along the Mississippi
river we will have good b OF II 10 do. Certainly there
can be no arg ument OF this kind applied here. think
The good old rule always adopted has BEEN that for the
| Improvement of great and natona rivers, the Mis-
sssippi Ohio, you might appropriate whatever should
| be found necessary. But when you come 10 smaller
streams which will always be taken care OF without
any expenditure upon the part OF the government and
when we do not know what way the expenditure rs
TO be made or whether il Will be OF any advantage to
alton or not for thing Of that kind
There is injustice and inequality in making this ap-
preparation II grant IL, you ought TO give equal
amount TO the city OF New Orleans That shows The
justice and the want OF wisdom IN appropriation of
thus kind Ii shows the danger OF going into such APP
proprisons. You cannot apply them with justice. 1t
operates unlusy and unequally. Wha, right have you
TO appropriate this money al this time TO particular
OF individuals withou. doing 50 TO others You cannot
distribute equally and therefore, unless the
sty very great you ought not To appropriate at all
think then, whatever the engineers may say, whatever
want OF information there may be TO Others, hap
pen have information enough TO know, IRON the very
nature OF The Improvement itself in this that II Is
unnecessary and will be giving 10 individuals appo.
patlon for Their pro instead OF the public benefit
have no prejudice against this any other particular
measure. But, as oppose H. wish TO give this explain.
alton TO chow the Senate and the country why do
to show on what slight foundations these appropriations
are often made, and what consequences it will lead il
this policy is entered upon hope therefore, that the
! amendment will be adopted
lro BE CONTINUED