Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1851-03-22

appropriation bills for the purpose Of taking up this extra
binary appropriation bill They take the responsibility of
deeng the passage of those bills which are 10
carry on the wheels OF government order to pass through
this dy that which unnecessary far as carving on
the affairs of the Government concerned They must lake
the responsibility Of placing behind this bill all The ordinary
appropriation bills without which the Government cannot &c,
along and they will not be able to place gag upon those
who feel disposed make opposition to it, The RESPONSE
biy will rest upon their shoulders. To that responsibility
the whole country will hold them The civil aud diplomatic
appropriation bill before the Senate the unfinished
business OF yesterday, could have been finished before this
hour, bu in order to the passage of this bill thew
choose to lay down. suppong thereby that they would de-
ter Senators on this side from debating it. from discussing it.
rom making opposition to it. hope il will have such
effect. Ii should not have.
. Mr. RANTOUL. will trouble the Senate but a very
lew moments the progress of time and the accumulation
OF preceden certainly ought later, settle the
construction OF the constitution and if there any clause
upon which there has been series of precedents oil tending
way it is that of the power to regulate If the
construction OF that clause from the OF the
Government down to the present time upon the Atlantic bor-
der has been correct one have felt any scupes ia
applying the same principles inland and rivers that
have been applied to harbors the seacoast But agree
na' Inc OBJECT Tor which the appropriation is asked should be
one OF sufficient national importance justify the inerposi
ton OF the General Government Il should not be local
The inquiry make in regard to this subject is whether
these objecs-the Tennessee and Illinois such
objects as would justify the General Government in interior
ing to improve the navigation The Tennessee ver in any
country but this would be river of the first class flows
through three States All has been said upon that neces
sary be said The Illinois river ia on the main channe of
communication between the northern part Of our Atlantic
coast and the whole valley Of the Mississippi If YOU wish
to send any thing from New York to Missouri by way Of
Chicago you would send down the Illinois river Ii that
&c o. the lakes with the
territory The basin Of the lakes is an area Of million Of
miles You could put Great Britain and the French repub
into and fnr If
little municipalities OF Europe The valley Of the Mississippi
has very nearly much If the channel that
these two portions be not NATIONAL what be The
of sections of the Union passes through this river
In 1887 it surveyed by the officers Of this Government
The report Of the survewas published that Senators have
the of informing themselves Of the character of that
river, and how far it is susceptible Of improvements and what
improvements il requires.
would like 60 further into this subject but know that
time is great deal precious than any thing say
Having given my for my vote, will say
shall vote against striking out.
Nh DOWNS. / shall vote for this amendment, as shall
for many others proposed in this bill Of similar nature.
regret very much the circumstances under which this
brought forward ii be very extraordna
y have voted two three times to lay this bill upon the
table, or against taking up, not because had any
tons to discussing it taking up the subject for not
opposed to proper system Of internal improvement, but be-
had great objections parts Of the BILL and did
not think it right and proper take under such crcum
stances where would be impossible 60 into full and fair
uiSSoeoioh VI
brought here at this last hour the session Really would
to that the circumstances under which this bill is
brought forward extraordinary and the probability Of
success so remote, that it would look though its
friends had brought it forward without any expectation that
it would be adopted, but that it would be defeated.
tain ultra views this subject There many things
in the bill which would approve of most cordially, but
not disposed to adopt the whole of forced upon
under these circumstances This subject has been press
ed upon the Senate to-day in manner which must say
have witnessed before, and which think the country
will look upon with asonsbmen We are in one Of the
two days OF the session Of Congress this morning
the midst OF the consideration of important appropriation
bill the great bill Of the session, the civil and diplomatic ap
preparation bill for the year. When BEFORE under such cir
cusaaces there not the usual proper, and necessary
Difference paid to the chairman Of the Committee Finance
when he proposed to take up, matter OF necessity that
bill When was it Unexpectedly overruled, and not
only this appropriation BILL but all the other appropriation
bills set aside consider this extraordinary course
one wholly unparalleled And what extraordinary
is that this measure advocated and brought forward that
pressed and insisted upon bhose members Of the Senate
who we should naturally suppose would feel most interested
in having the appropriation bills passed. and who would feel
the greatest responsibility if they should be dafsaed mean
the friends Of the Administration What will be the position
Of this Government if these appropriation bills defeated
Will it be said, it be said, that those with whom
act here have done il! But will be because this
brought forward and pressed in the extraordinary
that it is.
There are many measures in this bill, stated before,
that would be very willing to approve. But have no idea
of voting for bill which contains along with much that
is good much that consider evil there is in this If
gentlemen wish proper system of internal improvements,
let them commence by the Details and take up subjects
proposed years ago by distinguished Senator from
New York, in distinct bill for each measure when have
time to discuss each its merits Then would cheer
fully go for it, There is enough about which there is
any doubt upon which act. We cannot do every
thing once, make every improvement that may be asked
for Let begin with the greatest first about which there
is little doubt Let with the great waters Of
the lakes, and the great works the Mississippi and Ohio
rivers, about which there doubt difficulty After
have disposed of them will be time enough look other
objects, these numerous objects of doubtful character which
brought in here believe that if this question were
one and started for the first time, the doubts which
the Senator from Mississippi has expressed about the power
grant such appropriations would be strong be in
think the evidence almost irresistible that
the power does not exist But the practice of the Govern
nent as to improvements the for harbors light
houses and other objects, such named in this BILL has
been long carried out and much public money been
expended on the coast that consider the policy Of the
Government has been committed, far any thing be
established by precedent and that it would be impossible
stop with justice the West, In fact we could not
do ample justice to ALL since, If after having expended such
large sums the Atlantic coast should stop and cay
they could not be extended to the great lakes and rivers of the
West the diren sections would be unfairly treated. do
not consider that we back to first principles must
take the practice of the Government which has been pursued
for 80 long time. think should take the most mpor
tant measures first and adopt them and then take time to
consider others The opinion of the distinguished gentleman
from New York. now more (Mr Wright has been often
referred to, and has often occurred to that this sub
ec about which there much doubt his ideas and views
are entitled to the highest consideration, and followed would