The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-09
Internal lmprove msnts.

On the last day OF the session OF the late Congress-
IT, McLane, OF Maryland, asked "leave TO introduce
to authorize the several States to impose iive-cen
under) tonnage duty for the purpose of improving
yer rivers and harbors: leave not granted"
much be regretted that this excellent proposition
as not submitted at earlier period of the session. in
cad Of the river and harbor bill, which occupied so
ueh OF the precious time of the last session. and was
aly stranded in the Senate during the last hours OF an
tPrns Congress. We shall reserve this whole great
pesuon 10 moment OF less pressure aud of greater
sure, when the people may be awakened 10 The dis
ssIon, preparatory 10 the long session OF Congress-
lung which so many grea, measures may up, and
July discussed and deliberately decided In the
can time, we must he permitted to express our concur
nee IN MI McLane's resolution. and 10 call the at,en
% OF The people TO the proposition which j, embraces
be encroachmens on the constitution nay be avoided
yel The interference of the federal government may
eonsutu,ionaiy invoked, 10 two ways |, by tonnage
Ties imposed by the States, with the consen, OF Con-
ess; or, 2, BY amending the constitution, and giving
dIionai powers over internal improvements-at the
|me time guarding against abuses aud excuses.
We cannot better illustrate both modes of operation
an oy iay1ng before our readers the following extracts
pm M Folks special message OF December %, is47,
tong the ball passed al the previous session touching
ertan works in the Territory of Wisconsin, and for
per purposes
such system could not be administered with sny
~ 20 elnaly among the several States and section,
oS n,ou. lhefe - no equality among them IN the OBJ
o,Sr erp ~ nc, and y the funds were distributed
enea Mt tho expense Of their ighbors Data greater
S oa, tvl would be found in The art and Industry by
apbfopthhons would be sought and ohm ined. The
hia and Industrious would be the most sncce ssin
.efesti q Tue country would be lost sight OF
memlss p g ee of tue contents OF the heasory and
,nn,,l " congress who could procure the largest
paanon' TO be expended in his district would elann
victory tom h,s enriched constituents The
ay consequences would be sectional seop tents nd
$50 Increased taxation, and national debt,
90 70 be ertngufshed. 1T = 1870 Sp'
M Az, - thess pottcntouS Consequences, cannot bur
~ Ia nis Course oil legislation should be arrested even
rio hothng 10 forbid II in the Iupda entail laws OF
ollon. THIS copcuson is lorufcd by The fact that
rlyet isei Indicates process by which hsfbor-
,n ms within the States may be improved-s process
umpin o o. The abuses necessarily How from The
,rnn,. VI 'he power 10 improve them Ivy the general
@ lnst III Its operation, and nc tually pfscri.ed
nj eompla or interim ption, Outing more than
bar ~ we organization OF The present govern.
cue constitution provides that no Stale sha without
h tno VI congress, lay any duty OF tonnage
lad rau s.onsent Of Congress-, such duiics rpay be
stt IoHeeed, and expended by the Stn,e.. We are
powe, e aafs as 10 the object Of 'hi. reservation
IA H. 70 the States. The subject fatty
pnssy tnr convention that framed die constitution
boiy h ~ Mr. Msd,son's report OF the proceedings Of
. 49,, u.s. one Our c OF the reservation was, thai The
a. ~ not be restrained from laying dnles OF ton
X n,mT Putpese OF eleailng hafbofs. Other objects
.smao ~ he debates, and among them the support
s,.h, Mr. Madison, treating on hi. subject IA tn.
S,s, declares that III. r.slra nj on the power OF
@ ovef ports aud exports is enforced by ali III.
ulation |nch PROVE Inc beses-y OF submluug ib.
et5e ~ sue 20 The federal councils, II Is needless,
inner 10 iurthet on his head than that ,s
had a. eh me fespauu "a qualified seems well cal
M sa 800 " cure 10 ibe stes a sonsb diAcs-~
OTIS, md H. g[ we eonyeniency of their imports nad
sba,. ~ lhe nitsd states reasonable check
snay lay tounass duIe. for clearing bs,bossy
,hs hNs,sor ior othsf pnspbAc- tut nsstatnsd
,tsc, ne lower because, before such duties tan
IN. : we Consent OF Congress must be obtained
'sI' provision for the improvement Of harbors and