The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-07-03

Hsrsoss and Rivers, Internal improvements, So
AS these subjects have heretofore occupied large held
IN country, and destined, from her immense IN
posnce TO the whole nation to engroSs IN the future
considerable portion of public attention. we propose 10
take retrospective view OF the opinions oil some oil
our most eminent statesmen thereon. and 10 deduce
from them, from the acts of government, and from
the constitution Of the United States the outlines of
system upon which every true friend OF his country pos
sessng the conservative principles of true republican
or democrat. may stand intrenched, he will be- be-
hind the ramparts of the constitution
Preliminary TO the execution of this design, as much
has been said regarding The failure Of the bill OF the last
session in relation TO the improvement OF haroors and
rivers &C. il but fair show that for this failure rea-
sons are to be sought in any hostility oil this great
party to of this nature under wise and proper
system and principle but in Wild unlimited, corrupt,
and extravagant expenditure, which, as 1t has been swell
nigh doing heretofore well calculated TO ruin The
country and break down all reasonable and proper efforts
of its friends TO improve, by constitutional means, its
agriculture, commerce. manufactures, and social inter
course together with all its great political interests by
means of such objects of internal improvements Con-
gress may properly undertake. We propose begin
by presenting to readers the remarks made by Gen
Cass while that bill was under consideration.
Proposing to furnish our readers hereafter with mat
ter upon this subject in regular form, and at
venient intervals, we offer further remarks the
present occasion.
Ertracis from Gen. Casss Speech, March 3, 1851.
Now sir what are my views' And to this plain ques-
ton shall give answer equally plain They are TO be
found in the paper hold in my hand, being an extract
from the annual message of General Jackson of 1894
was al that time member OF his cabinet and was con.
suited BY him in relation to this exposition of his opn-
Nd rrpH IN than have.
my fealty till this day:
There another class of appropriations for what NAV
be called, without mPropriey, internal Improvements
grounds from those TO which have referred | alade
such as have for he osec, the improvement, Of
navigabe rivers for the facility and security of our
guished appropriations of this character from others have
been stated Congress. will only add, that at The
provided by law that all the expenses which should
from and after the 18th day OF August 1885, the neces
say supper, and maintenance and repairs OF all
bescons buoys and public piers erected aced sunk
b before the rag Of sd se within any bay inlet ha
ton thereof and safe, should be betrayed the
sasSy of @ o"Sd Of sa hs and further that be the
tracts with the appreciation of the President for rebuilding
beacons buoys and public the States and
for furnishing them with supplies Appropriations for SINH
lar objects have been continued time to the pres
ent without interruption or dispute As natural conse
quencs OF the and extension our foreign COM
and established. only upon our seaboard but ia The
interior ofou couny. upon lakes and gable
Inc convenience aud safety OF this commerce have led to
the gradual of these endures erection
Of eht houses the placing planting and sinking OF buoy-
poay DISTINCTIONS IN our navgabe rivers and The haibo
upon our great lakes as we'll as on the sesboad"
repeat, SIT, hls succnc exposition contains the prin
cipes OF my opinions and action do not pretend, nor
did General Jackson, that doubt arise in their
practical application. That would be a condition not
compatible with the imperfeciion OF human language
Uncertainty enters less into all the departme
of legislation, and perhaps into inevitably
III k,an IF hItc
tutons cannot establish regulations rigid a mahe
NAUTICAL problems is there solid wall of masonry 10
which the legislator can 60 in all cases, and find himself
warned by coming in contact with it that he at the
boundary Of his authority and can proceed further
liability TO abuse power is nseparable from the grant
OF IL, all the cautious do is to prevent
this far possible, by fencing round the depositaes
OF authority with such checks and limitations with
out destroying the object may tend 10 render its attain
ment the safer General Jackson endeavoed TO do this
by adopting rule for himself not 10 sanction appro
pnatons Tor IveL Improvements above the highest ports
views upon this branch OF the subject:
"Although have expressed to Congress my srprehen.
sion that these expenditures have been
agan, and disproPoronate the advantages derived
from them, have felt il to be my duty refuse my
assent to bills containing them, and have oonened myself
oessors Sensible however from experience aud o5serva
on OF Tue great abuse 70 which the nn,eso5ed
scrbed a Limitation for the government OF my own con
places below the Of entry delivery established 10y
law. am very sensible that this restriction is sat
isiaciory could be desired and that much embauass
ment be caused the executive departmen ia
ecuon by appropriations Tor remote and well under
stood objects. But neither my reflections the
lights may properly derive from other have
piled me with a better ] shall continue apply my bes
eIeons to faithful application OF the rules upon which
IL 10 founded"
II will be seen that the Limitation he lays down is no
constitutional one, but adopted for ns per
sona guidance TO guard the certainly the public in
teTest.
Another eminent statesman lately in the midst of us
but whose brilliant career has recently terminated II
DEATH equally the regret OF his friends who admired
him. and OF his country whom he served with pure
devotion inspired human breast and who's,
mighty intellect and spotess integrity questioned
doubed-he, also, gave his views upon this genera
subject and very deliberately in his celebrated report
the memorial of the Memphis convention. He concede,
fully the right OF harbor and river improvements tina
document shows, and short extract from will put U,
in possession OF his general sentiments:
Having shown that the power raise money and
appropriate and expend IL is confined carrying
eouon the delegated power II remains be consider
whether there delegated the fede raj govern
men the carrying OF which into execution would author
ize appropriations and expenditures for the Improvement
Of the navigation OF the Mississippi aud its waters"
But there Is not the least probability" continues Mr.
Calhoun, that Congress will abandon exercise OF
has only the right, has been shown but II duty
to exercise ita duty, under the constitution the States
Immediately Interested, and which by OF It's provis.
ions, prohibited from adopting the only by which
they could thcmieves regulate their commerce with
MI calhoun also sought practical limitation TO this
power 10 improve MYERS, for with respect harbor. he