Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1851-04-03

have run riot, and Congress would have been called
make appropriations for harbors and improvements
where nature had denied them; build up towns and
cities, and fill the Golfers of the specuator, the
pense OF the people. Under this system the most un-
scrupulous and Industrious member Of Congress would
be most successu and would be rewarded according to
the extent of appropriations he might procure in his dis
trie; and the whole system would end in national dis
grace and natioHa ruin.
Indiana, by provision in her Constitution, has pro-
hibed the State from borrowing money for any pur
except to repe invasion, &c. This is wise provision,
and intended prevent the creation of STATE debt
for purposes of internal improvements, for any other
object, except the defence Of the State from foreign
foe domestic nsurrection. Indiana has had of
a logrOlling system Of internal improvements. Her
citizens drinking the dregs of the cup in high
taxation. If this internal improvement bill had passed,
1t could not have been executed without borrowing the
money. Our public debt is seventy-four millions, and
tse annual expenses of the Government fifty mil
hon. Now, if it is wrong for a State borrow money
to emAark in system of internal improvements, is it
not equally wrong for the General Government to do
the same thugl None Of believe that national debt
is national Blessing, and should Congress guard
against the creation OF one, by following the example of
many oil the Statesf All these systems of internal i'm
provements prosecuted by taxes wrung from the hard
earnings oil the people, operate oppressively The
many taxed, while the few only are benefited
In the Purer days of the Republic under TIE Admin
istratons of Washington Jefferson, and Madison, no
appropriations made from the National Treasury
for works of internal improvement. Such the early
and approved construction of the Constitution by the
FIRST Presidents. Innovations commenced about 1920
but the power broadly contended for or as
serted, until 1925. From that time, the system went on
until arrested by the veto Of Gen jackson to
the Maysvie road bill.
The trainers Of the Constitution in giving to Congress
power to regulate commerce with foreign nations and
among the several States, and with the Indian tribes
never intended to confer them the power to make
roads and canals, improve harbor, deepen the
channel of river If Congress possessed that power
they might appropriate the peoples money to build rail-
road cars canal boats ships to engage the carrying
trade and general commerce of the country But they
did intend by special provision authorize the States
with the consent of Congress- levy tonnage duties for
the improvement of harbors. This done, in many
instances from 1889 to 1920. This system operated
Justly ala tax levied all vessels going into
the port, according the size, &C., which appro
praed to the improvement of the harbormaking those
who used them and enjoyed their benefits pay for their
construction and repairs cnerprsng railroad and
plank road companies tax the farmers and others that
carry freight travel them BY the other system
Of appropratng money from the General Government,
all taxed and few benefited. And should Congress
return in opinion they ought to the system of
tonnage duties nothingwould be left for the action of
the General Government, but to keep open and free the
navigation of the Mississippi and its tributaries and the
the navigable waters leading into the Atlantic; which,
by provision of the compact forever to be and
remain common highways free for all the inhabitants of
the several States and Territories without any
imposts whatever. BY this compact, the States are
prohibited from evying tonnage dutes and the General
Government, by her act having declared that they shall
be Free is bound remove all artificial distractions
We 60 not b. this, that Congress would be bound
by this compact to make rivers navigable, by widening
deepening their channels but any of those rivers
not lying within the exclusive jurisdiction of State
by RATS snags and sawyers should be clear
ed out by appropriations from the National Treasury
This could be done by the annual expenditure of small
amount and the appropriations from the National Trea
sury limited given and definite objects This is an
important question Every Wing in Congress from the
Northern States voted for the bill. 1t was a Wing
and will be made the issue in the coming Con
gressional elections. The people look to this or
they will find themselves involved in ruinous systems of
internal improvements which neither they nor their
children will see the end of.
UEo