Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1851-03-27
THE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE
LOSS OF THE RIVER AND
HARBOR BILL.

We cited yestc day so much Of the
Annual Message Of Presiden, Fillmore
as related 10 Iarbor and River In
provemen,s. The country can see and
understand that, as far as this question
goes, the President has been prepared
10 take the responsibility" A more
succinct declaration of decided opin.
ions cannot be found. The President
entertains mo doubt" of the authority
Of Congress to make appropriations for
leading objects of this description
This authority he traces clearly TO that
clause of the Constitution which says:
Congress shall have power to regulate
commerce with foreign nations and
among the several States:' and those
clauses which says Congress shall have
power TO lay imposts;" and no State
shall, without the consent of Congress,
lay any imposts or duties on imports or
exports" &c. The President sees no
difference between the power of Con-
gress TO make appropriations for OBJ
Ilects of this kind on the ocean. and the
power to make appropriations for simi'
lar objects on lakes and rivers, when
ever they are large enough to bear on
their waters an extensive traffic. The
magnificent Mississippi and its tribuia
ries," he says, "and the vast lakes of the
North and the Northwest, appear 10 me
10 fall within the exercise ofthe power,
as Justly aud as clearly as the ocean
and the Gulf of Mexico" In the liber-
al and national spiri, which has marked
J his Administration in all its aspects, the
, President adds, that in carrying this
power and all other constitutional pow
ers into effect, I'VE should consider our
selves as celebrating and acting for
; one and the same country" Therefore
! it was that he distinctly recommended
, that appropriations should be made "for
completing such works as have been al.
ready begun, and for commencing such
others as may seem to the wisdom of
, Congress to be of public and general
: importance"
In striking contrast with the frank,
manly and decided course of the Pres
iden, on this subject, has been the poll
cy pursued by General Cass. We
have not yet received the corrected re-
, port of his speech on the bill, but we
watched his conduct during the whole
debate, and can speak Of his dCtions.-
We can speak distinctly 10 one scene,
;, which seems likely to become the sub
/ ect ofcontroversy; and before it fades
at all in its impressions we desire to
place it permanently upon the record.
And we desire TO do it before we have
the official reports of the Senate be-
,, fore us; for it is well understood that
s in consequence Of the revision that the
o language of members undergoes in pre-.
pairing for the press, the reports do moi
5 always present on delicate questions, q
s faithful transcript of what actually
). takes place.
a was during the morning of Mon
a day that Mr.. Bradbury, Of Maine, Of
fered an amendment to the River and
q IIarbor bill, which provided that the
e appropriations contemplated by i
i. should only be carried into effect whcr
there should be surplus in the treasu
ry after paying all other appropria
!. tions This was intended of course IL
= kill The bill; but 1t came ,githin tpo uotc.
of being corrieG-the States dividing
i 27 yeas 10 20 nays. This offered ;
n glimpse Of sunlight to General Cass, ant
n he thought he could see his way through
10 without being obliged TO vote on III
,t final passage of the bill. So it Offered
, : a fair opportunity for little innocen
y display on Economy and Debt. Th'
'e General rose therefore, in agitation
lie and in a manner somewhat flurried an
D. nounced to the Senator from Maine
that he approved the general scope 0
his resolution, but not its particular ap
g. plication. For his part he though
d, these matters Of Improvements of Har
Dr. bors and Rivers were quite as impor
d lant as any other objects of expenditure
a and ought not to be unfavorably distin
~ guished from them. But he was ais
eS opposed TO the accumulation of publ
n, debt; and if the Senator from Main
at would only so modify his amendmer
w as 10 embrace certain other objects {
expenditure, he would cheerfully Civ
it his vote. Mr., Bradbury immediate
IN y acquiesced, and adopted the modif
ms cation suggested. The General The
" undertook TO reduce his amendment |
ID writing, and il was read TO the Senat
- 1t did not read right, however, an
there was a consultation of learned do,
:. tors at the Secretary's table, to put ii
% amendment into shape. Mr.. Cla
Of looked on with bland smile of tr
in umph. II was evident enough that OIL
ow ertempore revolutionisis were ge,tir
nj into rather deep water. There was 7
ate noise, but it was apparent that theI
~, was great confusion in certain quarter
,.n Mr.. Berrien came to the Generals r
y" :" lief, and proposed, while the amen