The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-05-28

TAs River and Hszbss BAH.
The special organ Of the administration in this city
endesvors TO nice, one Of the objections have brought
against the and harbor bill Of the last session by
piece of sophisuy not remarkable for lis depth. We
have mentioned that the bill contained many items Of
for works at places which had not been
examined by engineers, as to enable the departments 70
send in estimates OF cost The Republic says il is not
prepared to say whether not there are any items IN
the bill in question not estimated for by the departments"
Surely the zeal which the organ manfess for river and
harbor improvements must be political pretence
Surely IL must be nsincee in its professions of love for
such works. II surely be engaged in the interest
ing task OF catching gudgeons" rather attempting
to catch them For surely if il really entertained one
hall the zeal il manesls it would have been better in
formed the subject Had il even read the speeches
in the Senate which il has denounced so literally
within the last six weeks, it would have learned that
there many appropriations made at 'hap-hazard"
by the river and harbor bi-approprations for which
no estimates had been made by the departments or any
OF them.
Can il be that the present administration and the whig
party have real regard for internal improvements but
only clamor for such appropriations for political effect
and for the purpose Of obtaining the control of the patron
age such appropriations would confer Really the course
OF the organ for the time being would give arma-
tive answer to this question; for while il has been de-
Tending the river and harbor BILL and reproaching those
democrats who defeated it, that journal for
ward and endeavors TO show that the whig administra-
ton was in no manner ponsbe for it's Details but that
the democrats responsible for all its Objectionable
features. This, indeed, is strong game which the
organ endeavors TO play; and must be permitted to
say that has more the look of common fairness about
than the manifestations of thmble-rgger. "Open,
win shut, you lose," is real fairness compared to it.
The organ has been claiming great credit for the wing
party Tor its adherence the river and harbor BILL and it
has poured out the walls of it's wrath the heads Of
hose who had the temerity to defeat it, and thereby
deprive the administration of the patronage which would
COW from the dsbur sement of two millions and quarter
now. and OF some FIVE six millions which would be
made necessary in the future by the appropriation of
two millions and quarter now. After all these
things, the organ, being hard pushed, now turns
round, and, while it claims for the wing administration
and the wing party all the credit for supporting the
cause OF internal improvement endeavors to shield both
the administration and the party from any responsibility
in the premises by fixing on democratic committees.
This conduct u.s. however in keeping with other things.
reminds strongly OF the attempt to take TO itself and
to Mr. Fillmore all the credit OF compromise which the
Republic opposed and Mr.. Fillmore did not assist tire
minds u.s. ALSO OF its lectures the friends OF General
Scott, Mr.. Webster, and Mr.. Clay the improperly
OF presidential nominations, while ii dominates and re-
dominates Mr. Fillmore six days in the week. 1t reminds
u.s. Also of the efforts has made convince the country
that all parties in state Of fusion and liquid amaga
nation, with their party lines oberated and melted
away by the heat Of sectional strife while il leaves
opportunity unimproved rally the old platform OF
whiggery by systematic and continued advocacy Of the
old features OF edcralsm-never forgetting TO dive at all
convenient seasons into the deep slough of Mr. Carys
IDEAS OF absolute prohibition the only road which
leads 10 free trade.
But the organ is guilty of mistakes in fact well
argument. Speaking OF the river and harbor bill, il
saws that il twas reported in the House by democratic
committee Il bill was thus reported. but the bill came
up as a substitute for the committees bill. This is
small matter however; and mention the fact only 10
show that the Republic does not feel that interest in the
subject which pretends feel As 10 the Presidents
endation was broad enough not only TO
every item of the river and harbor bill OF the last
sion but il was broad enough all the items OF any
river and harbor bill which the ingenuity of could
devise The recommendations OF Mr.. Fillmores annual
message were broad enough not only to cover every
river and harbor but every creek and spring branch in
the Union as objects fit for governmental expenditure
Besides ii is known that Mr.. Fillmore in favor OF
the biz Of the last sesson-that he would have
toned and approved well in its details in its gen
eral principles It is labor lost for his organ to attempt
now TO give him and his party credit for all that
right and proper in the bill and to make the democrats
responsible for all that wrong and improper. II is
too late TO run with the hare and follow with the hounds
Suddenly Al ve Kentucky the 18th instant Mrs ABE
yfR copsort b. Crtvrs and second daughter