Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-03-28
From the Washington Republic of the 9th.
The Responsibility for the Loss
Of the River and Harbor RiDI,

Of the River and IIarbOr Bill.
We cited yesterday so much of the
annual message of President Fillmore, as
related 10 the Harbor and River Improve
menis. The country can see and under
stand, that as far as this question goes,
the President has been prepared 70 stake
the responsibility" A more succinct
declaration of decided opinions cannot
be found. The President entertains ..no
doubt" of the authority of Congress to
make appropriation for leading objects
of this description. This authority he tra-
ces clearly to that clause of the Consti-
tuition which says: Congress shal have
power TO regulate commerce with foreign
nations and among the several States,"
and those clauses which say: Congress
shall have power to lay imposts." and
"no Stale shall, without the consent of
Congress, lay any imposts or duties on
imports or exports" DC. The President
sees no difference between the power of
Congress to make appropriations for OBJ.
jects of this kind on the ocean, and the
power TO make appropriations for similar
objects on lakes and rivers, whenever
they are large enough to bear on their
waters an extensive traffic. "The mag
niGcent Mississippi and its tributaries"
| he says, .'and the vast lakes Of the North
and North. West, appear to me TO fall
within the exercise of the power, as
justly and as clearly as the ocean and the
Gulf of Mexico" In the liberal and
national spirit which has marked his al.
min,stration in all its aspects, the Presi-
dent adds, that in carrying this power
and all other constitutional powers into
effect, 1--WE should consider ourselves as
deIibera,ing, and acting for one and the
same country" Therefore it was, that
he distinctly recommended that appro-
pratiuns should be made '.for compile
| ting such works as have been already
begun, and for commenting such others
as may seem to the wisdom of Congress
to be Of public and general importance.
/ In striking contrast with the frank.
/ manly, and decided course of the Presi-
dent on this subject has been the policy
pursued by Gen. Cass. We have not
yet received the corrected report of his
speech on the bull; but we watched his
conduct during the whole debate, and
can speak to his actions. We can speak
distinctly to one scene, which seems
likely to become the subjec, of conlro-
versy; and before it fades at all in its
impressions we desire to place il perma-
nently upon the record. And we de-
sire 10 do it before we have the official
reports of the Senate before us; for it is
well understood that, in consequence OF
the revision" that the language Of mem
bers undergoes in preparing for the press,
the reports do not always present, on
delicate questions, faithful transcript oil
what actually takes place. a
II was during the morning of Monday
that Mr.. Bradbury, Of Maine, offered an
amendment to the River and Harbor bill,
which provided that the appropriations
contemplated by it should only be car
ried into elfec: when there should be a
surplus in the Treasury after paying all
odier appropriations! This was inien-
ded of course to kill the bill; but i, came
within two votes of being carried-the
Senate dividing twenty.seven yeas to
twenty-nine nays. This offered a glimpse
OF sunlight to Gen. Cass, and he thought
he could see his way through without
being Obliged to vote on the final pas
sage Of the bill. So it offered a fair op-
portunity for a little innocent display ol
Economy and Debt. The General rose,
therefore, in agitation, and in manner
somewhat furrieG announced TO the Sen
ator from Maine that he approved the
general scope Of his resolution, but moi
its particular application. For his part
he thought these matters Of improve
ments of Harbors and Rivers were quite
as important as any other objects Of ex-
penditure, and ought not to be unfavora-
bly, distinguished from them. But he
was also opposed to the accumulation o.
public debt; and If The Senator from
Maine would only so modify his amend
ment as to embrace certain other objects
Of expenditure, he would cheerfally give
il his vote. g ~
Mr.. Bradbury Immediately acquiesced
and adopted the modification suggested
The General then undertook to reduce
his amendment 10 writing, and it wal