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

reading II has already been amended and therefore has
| 10 go back 10 the House. How, now, we 10 gen
through With Do gentlemen intend 10 force it, at the
risk OF destroying the appropriation bsl II they do,
they certainly have the power 10 do IL and let them
for the especially that the appropriation bills
might be taken up. shall vote to lay it aside in order to
get at those bills and most OF those who act with
believe, will do the same, although some OF them, no
doubt. anxious that the bill should pass II the ap
preparation bills defeated and an extra session shall
be called on those who are disposed TO press forward
this the last day but OF the session. when
the most important appropriation bills remained TO be
sdered. and who, IN this extraordinary manner before
the morning business Of to-day was taken up, voted to
lay it aside to take up this billion them let the response
bllity rest Not only the appropriation bills cut OIL
but reports OF committees excluded, and the ord
nary morning business entirely thrown aside Why, sir,
the Judiciary Committee were prepared yesterday and To-
day 10 present report great national quesonone
in which great interest was felt They had their report
all prepared sesponse the message ot the President
ofthe United States, Of the most important ques-
ons that have come before Congress this sessions and
they had not even an opportunity afforded OF present
ing their report. There other committees TOO, that
have important bills 10 be reported But everything is
cut of for the sake OF forcing this measure upon US, no
matter what consequences follow.
MIR. DOWNS We'll. sir, # they choose to do it, be
il shall do everything 10 facilitate the passage
of The appropriation bills but shall never yield 10 the
taking up oil bill of this kind in hurried manner with
out an opportunity OF scanning every feature OF IT. and
deciding upon after full deliberaton do hope gen
temen will concur in the suggestion. frequently made by
the chairman OF Inc COMMITTEE on finance ana olneTS,
to lay This bill aside; and, with that view, move
more 10 lay the bill on the table
Mr. WALKER demanded The yeas and nays; which
The question being then taken by yeas and nays
not agreed lo-yeas %, nays 3l-as follows;
YEAS-Mesars. Aichison, Benien, Bradbury, ButIer,
a pays # aono ansr k.s maso so1
Morris Rheu Rnsk. soae, Surgeon Tuney, and Yulee-
NAYS-Messrs. Badger, Baldwin. Bell. Bolsnd, Bright,
Cass, Chase Clarke Clay Cooper Davis OF Massachusetts
paEs Of s dGWa PPeas Pns Fwns Tsen
Rantoul, Sebastian, Seward Shields Smith, Sprance,
Underwood, Upham, Wales, and Walker-A
Mr. RUSK do not intend to enter very lengthy
into the argument in relation to this matter But shall
vote against the immediate amendment under cOnsdera-
ton think that throughout the whole of this discus
sion too much laid upon estimates from the de-
I'aTmenis IN relation to these approximations regard
them OF no binding force and effect upon the Congress
of the United States, and only III the light OF information
upon which TO act | can reason, if OBJ
lect clearly national in lis character and deserving oil
attention, why should not vote for il well to
CO. were, bindy for the estimates OF any officer OF
department.
One of the objections which ! have to this bill
though am opposed to internal Improvements of
national character at al-is, that in its and fea-
gives much power TO the executive officers
expend this money not, II suits them shall there
fore vote against this appropriation. know there are
objects of much more national character in this bill
without estimate than many that in il in accord
ance with estimates from the departments ! intend,
when get opportunity TO do so-and have tried 10
get the floor several times no, for the purpose Of entering
into the discussion, but Tor the purpose OF Offering
amendment-l intend TO offer this amendment
That the moneys herein appropriated for improve.
particular States shall be expended upon such oh
ecs sla be designated by board OF missioners,
be appon'ed by The State wherein tie expenditure to
be made"
Now, know that year after year appropriations
made for the purpose of improving the navigation OF the
country which appropriations suffered by the depart
remain pended until by general law they
fall back the treasury Sach has been the upon
the whole coast Of Texas, upon which there is now a
commerce OF upwards OF millions OF dollars in value.
Sir appropriations OF fifty and sixty thousand dollars
have been made lime after time. Tor the purpose OF i'm
absolutely necessary Tor the commerce o the
country yet in many they have fallen back
into The treasury AT the last session OF Congress large
appropriations made, but yet steps have been
tax zen carry them into effect Now when we do enter
into this system OF appropriation, am anxious that each
appropriation should be applied 10 It's object and not iet
TO the discretion OF any officer OF the department II
should be carried into effect when becomes law OF
Congress II not So you will have great difficulty in
Tying out these Improvements.
think that the friends OF this bill mistaken in their
policy in opposing all amendments TO IT, believe that
it is going to pass If the postage bill and the appro,
prailon bills should fail We have evidence enough OF
that Its friends here will not permit appropriation
bill hall finished to be taken up-will permit nothing TO
be done upon the subject They will not permit report
he made from the commt,ees-will not permit anything
be done. And |. for one, have no doubt but that IT
will eventually pass think my friend from South Car
olina Mr.. BUTLSR mistaken in designating Cali
ionia as "founce- tail" | think that this bill is the
true "hounce tall that is to have the Hoor which
drives everything out OF IFS way, and which will dnve
every other bill before IT, like The chat before the wind,
till il gets through. .
Mr. DAVIS, OF Massachusetts,. Mr.. President, will
be very brief in my remarks desire to say that ap
pebend that the true way 10 dispose OF this bill to
come to a vote upon it, And the sooner that gentlemen
permit this bill TO be disposed OF by final vote OF the
Senate, the will they attain the objects that they
have in view.
The senator from Texas [Mr RUsKl is mistaken in
.upposng that any special authority any discretionary
power is BY OF this bill, vested IN the execu
live officers OF the government believe there s none
al ALL according my recollection OF the terms OF the
the government Then, in regard TO the case which he
gave illustration, he will permit me to say one word
in relation TO that Certain appropriations made IN his
State for the erection OF light houses have passed into
what believe is called the surplus fund Now, what
is the of that He intmates that II is because
which Is abused. Now, there is law which regulates
all that There is a law that the appropriation shall
be expended until every thing in relation to the land
the siie-be correct Now, has the State OF Texas made
any cesson Has she made good the title TO the land
Mr. RUSK. Yes, sir.
light house will be built You must go through all that
before you reach point at which they are at iau IN
this matter. Now. what is this bill founded upon
great many questions raised and discussed
tons of constitutional power and expedency and OF all
sorts and descriptions raised and discussed here out
they do not affect the principle upon which the bill Is
founded The bill is founded upon this idea that by
cheapenng the expense Of intercourse between different
portions OF the country you enable the people oil the
country to bring the products OF Their labor to market
Now what has been the result of the operation oil this
principle in combination with individual enterprise !
within the memory Of the senator from Michigan, Mr..
a man could not bring a barrel of -four from