The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-03-29
The n.rbor and River BIZ.

As much misrepresentation has gone abroad
in regard to the character OF the River anc
Harbor bill, lately defeated in the Senate, we
reprint from the official debates the remarks Of
Mr.. Senator DAVIS, of Massachusetts, who re-
ported the bill. From these it appears that the
appropriations made in that bill-the great ma
jority of them-applied to works upon the lakes
and rivers of the interior that have been long
since commenced by the Government, and re-
quire immediate repair to prevent them from
| falling into hopeless dilapidation:
"Mr DAVIS, Of Massachusetts,. wish merely to
| state that, inasmuch l requested by the
Committee ON Commerce to report this bill, wish
| TO submit few remarks. | merely wish to say
that, in the present stage of business and the
treme pressure that the Senate is under for want OF
time, do not feel myself at liberty to go into the
details Of this bill for any particular explanation.
If had time and opportunity, should do it with
very great pleasure and give to the Senate all the
information in my power. But will say, gcner-
ally, that these appropriations spread themselves,
believe, over nearly the entire country, and
amount to about $2,300,00O. according to the
information which have received not varying
materially from that amount. They are applied
to the harbors upon the scacoas. but more especial
ly the lakes and rivers of tho interior; and may
add that by far the greater majority Of the appro
pratons apply to works that have been long since
begun by the Government; and may also add,
that many of these works much out OF
repair-being many of them but temporary struc-
lures, built for the purpose Of experiment original
ly-that if the country expects those who are in.
teresed in these works to continue in the enjoy
ment of thcm it seems to be necessary to put them
in the proper condition.
with these remarks, will give the floor to the
honorable Senator from Alabama"
Such was the nature of this bill Such was
the necessary character of its appropriations.
President FILLMORE submitted the subject to
the consideration of Congress, with plain and
decided recommendations. He entertained no
constitutional scruples in regard to it. He was
sustained to the full extent of his recommends
tons by almost the entire Wing strength of the
House and Senate. In the latter body there
were two WIG members who were unwilling
to go beyond the doctrines of the Baltimore plat
form, in its liberal Democratic Interpretation
The large majority of the Democratic Senators
fell behind the Democratic standard of the con-
vention. Most of them fell back upon the mar
row and untenable doctrines Of Mr.. Folks veto
message-doctrnes that abridged and restricted
the power of Internal improvements beyond
those Of any prior administration. On these
illberal dogmas Mr.. BRADBURY and Mr.. HAM
LIN took their stand with Mr.. CLEMENS, Mr.
RHETT, Mr.. SoULE, and General HoUsToN. II
remains TO be seen to what extent the new
school will be sustained by the people; and how
far the people are to be frightened from the inn
provement of the great lakes, and of the Mis-
sisspp and its tributaries, because Mr.. RHETr
who hopes and labors for the dissolution of the
Union, denounces the Democratic party fol
| falling into the embraces of Mr.. CLAY.