The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-02-14
MIR. pUER appealed from the decision

MIR. DUER appealed from the decision
Several of the rules were read, when
The question was taken on sustaining the deci-
sion of the Chair, and decided in the negativcayes
Mr. THOMPSON, of Mississippi, moved that the
committee rise; and tn, motion did not prevail
ayes 81, noes l05
---lfhe question was then taken on the motion of
Mr.. BUER 10 proceed to the consideration Of the
River and Harbor bill, and decided in the affrma-
tve-ayes f09. noes g.
MIR. McLANE, Of Maryland, was assigned the
floor. having reported the bill, but gave way to
MIR. HARALSON, who moved that the commit
tee rise.
The motion was disagreed to.
Mr.. THOMAS asked if the bill had been printed,
as he had not been able to procure copy La
Mr.. scHENcK. The gentleman has lost his
That's all.
The CHAIRMAN understand that it has
been printed. IA voice "Therc oughtto be moro
'0R Tss bill was then read.
MIR. McLANE about TO proceed with his re-
marks. when he asked by several gentlemen to
yield the floor He did against his wish, and to
crafty his friends. He preferred, however, to 60
on with what he had to say
The committee refused to rise-nyes 30, noes 81.
Mr. MORSE asked the gentleman whether il was
his intention to drive the bill throug h the House
without debate, whether any time was to be fixed
for the termination of the discussion
Mr.. McLANE replied that if the chairman Of the
Committee of Ways and Means would give him un-
til the fourth of March, il would afford him great
pleasure to continue the debate until that day; and
he would say further, that far the time for de-
bate was concerned, he would be willing to submit
to the chairman OF that committee, looking to the
public business.
Mr.. BAYLY begged to say, in reply, that it
seemed to him that the House did not intend to give
the Committee of Ways and Means day for the
tI,1E, of
ter.
Mr.. MORSE was understood to say that, if this
bill was passed by smothering debate, it would be
forced through and If debate was allowed it would
consume more time than the appropriation bills.
MIR. MCLANE said that when his friends should
come to an understanding, il would give him great
pleasure to proceed. The excitement and agitation
manifested on both sides of the House showed that
the subject was of interest and Importance II
there were wanting any consideration which
should satisfy him that he should approach the
subject with deliberation and care, i was the un
usual feeling which accompanied the motions to
take it up appropriation bill, because he had
not forgotten. nor had the committee forgotten,
that the last time tho bill considered it was con-
bill, and the bill proceeded with such. He was
bound to assume that it demanded of him care
full and greater consideration in reporting it to the
House. and making such explanations OF its iea-
lures would induce the House to give to it their
support. The committee would pardon him for
suggesting to them that there was relation be-
tween general system Of internal improvements
as known to the people and the public men OF the
country, and the national policy of the country
there was relation between this policy and spc-
cific appropriations for specific rivers and harbors
either for lighthouses, buoys, or PIERS and direct
ing the removal of distractions. The bill proposes
to provide for public works, in the true constitu-
tional acceptaton Of the term for tho commerce of
the country. If the regulation of commerce and
shall enter particular ports, and go from partcu-
lar ports and get their registers and licenses there
then it is the duty, under the power which regu-
lates commerce. that the transit of the vessels shall
be made safe in such ports, and that the bill ought
not TO go beyond those limits. More than three
fourths Of the objects embraced in this bill had been
adjusted and prepared by the republican Presi.
dents Of the country, down to Mr. Polk. The bill
was founded on the principles similar to those on
which the Democracy made their canvass in 1888,
and 1910, and 1874; and he might be allowed to
express some surprise at the heat of opposition
which had become camorous and factlouS in view
Of the political elements alone.
Mr.. BURT said he would be very glad If the
gentleman would cay whether the Democratic
party, party, either in Baltimore or elsewhere,
had constructed internal improvements as part
of their platform.
Mr. McLANE would give distinct reply. He
had said nothing about internal improvements. He
had spoken of rivers and harbors with great care
and candor; and he had presented his distinction
to the committee What he had said, and now re-
peaed, was, that this River and Harbor bill ia the
type of the bills recommended to Congress by
republican President
Mr. BURT said that he found that Jefferson,
Madison, Jackson, and Polk believed that an
amendment of the Constitution of the United States
necessary to justify the improvement of rivers
Mr.. MoLANE did not say that Jefferson or Mad
ison, Polk did not express an opinion that an
amendment of the Constitution was necessary or
to be desired. What he said was more pertinent to
the question:: that they signed the bills.
MIR. BURT. Jcffersoni
MIR. McLANE repeated, he said that they signed
bills which contained precisely, not particular
sums, and Of the character of the expenditure now
proposed He did not mean to GO so far into de
tails to say when and where. reference to the
Congregational Globe would relieve him from the
task, for in that work the particulars given in
speeches; but he would simply say that Jefferson
signed SUCH bills He would not go back to Wash
ington administration; never had good
one IA voice: "That's fact.''] Jefferson signed
Mr.. BURT. What rivers?
Mr.. McLANE. At Port Penn, Newcastle, and
Marcus Hook to protect against the ice; and Mad
ison signed bill on bill. lie protested to believe
that Madison made the true distinction, and that
Jefferson did not make the true distinction JEFF
ferson made general objection to the whole sys.
tenn, but never insisted it. He took general
view pointing to abuses, and the question of con-
stitutionality.
Mr.. Mel. then reviewed the Democratic policy,
administration which illustrated fairly and truly
republican policy that of Mr.. Van Buren,. The
River and Harbor bill was reported by Silas Wright
a pure Democrat.
MIR. HOLMES. He voted for the tariff.
Mr.. McLANE remarked, that he would have
voted for such tariff as Mr.. Wright voted for.
MIR. HOLMES asked the gentleman to define
what DemOcrdcyis. [Laughter]
1--WE could not hear this colloquy with distinct
ness, owing to the noise which prevailed at the
time.1
Mr.. McLANE said that if he had wanted
casm, above all others, to have the inquiry pro-
pounded TO him, he would have selected the gentle
man from South Carolina. [Laughterl
Mr.. HOLMES. have the advantage.
Mr.. McLANE. Those who live in glass houses
ought not throw stones if in the condition Of the
gentleman. hold that the true, virtuous honor
able test of party man is fidelity to his partys
organization. Voices: ALI" "That's Democ-
racy."] Stop moment When you come to ask
me what Democracy means, you throw into
philosophy and abstraction /; but when you ask me
what is Democracy. as known to the history of the
| country, am prepared to answer. I'll tell you
WHAT is ["H Hear him. "Now we'll have it,
pause.
Mr. CARTIER IL the gentleman will give