Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-11-24

of 81 6S2 1885, The appropriations in the act OF July
T. 1888, approved by Mr. Van Buren, amounted to 81,
375007 81 and hose in the acts of August %, 1S42,
June lSii, approved by M. Tyler, to 1881 800
L lese amounts exclusive of what are contained
i acts for building light houses light boats, beacon
lights, buoys, &C.; and many of the rivers for
moving distractions In which appropriations have
BEEN made, are of much less Importance than James
rlv'r.
The system of approx ration by Congress for rivers
and harbors, was in measure arrested by Mr., Polk
To two bills making such appropriations he refused
his assent. elf" said he, "the power to improve
harbor be admitted it is not easy to perceive how the
power to deepen every inlet on the ocean the lakes
| and make harbors where there are none, be de-
MED. 1t the power to clear out or deepen the chan
mel of rivers their mouths be admitted it is not
easy to perceive how the power to improve them to
their fountain head, and make them .navigahle to
! their sources, can be denied. Mr.. Polk could not
| perceive any inter mediate grounds. The pow
to improve habors and rivers tor purposes Of navi
| CATION by deepening or cleaning out, by dams and
sluceS, by locking or canaling, he thought "mus be
admitted without any other limitation than the discre
ton OF congress, it must be denied altogether"
| W hout going into the question as TO the constu-
tlona power OF congress TO appropriate money tor i'm
proving harbors and removing distractions in naviga
BILE waters, the people OF this state have surely right
to insist II congress continue to make such appropra
ti0ns that it shall conform as near practicable to
spirit OF the provision Tin the clause OF the 9Th
section of the first Article Of the constituon,) that mo
preference shall be given by any regulation OF COM
msrce TO the ports OF one state those
of another shall vessels bound from one state
be obliged to enter clear or pay duties in another"
The spirit of this provision think is not contormed
to by congress when makes sucr appropriations it
has made Tor improving the ports and rivers OF other
states and yet whholds an adequate appropriation for
improving the navigation OF James rivera river
which, Gas said by the council OF l843) from the
magnitude ofis trade and the number of ships aud
| quantity of tonnage engaged in it,, justly demands
the attention OF government, as much as others which
| have received such attention.
! Dssa il fled with the manner in which congress has
dealt with this subject, OF citizens procured
from the state legislature the act Of the 5th of March
1916, Incorporating company to render James river
capable of being navigated in any season at high
| ter from Rockets to Bermuda HUI dred by vessels
drawing III feet water. and allowing the company in
consideration OF its doing this, 10 charge each vessel
sum OF from $ll to S3S, according to the number of
feet OF water it draws. The nstution OF the United
States providing Cart l. TO- clause 81 that no state
shall, without the consent Of congress Law any duty Of
| tonnage" Congress on 'the Sd OF March, 1877 gave
its consent to this act with provso, however, that
congress might, at any time, repeal or modify the
| giving It's consent.
| 1916 and l941; and the time allowed by the act Of
1916 has expired. Even if 1t had no we think moth.
| ing should be done under any act OF such nature,
while there is reasonable hope OF accomplishing the
object upon terms less Objectionable The interests not
oaly OF Richmond, but OF all the country sending pro-
dnce to or receiving goods from this city forbid, and
justice also orbids, that the imports to and exports
from Richmond should be burthened with such charges
as this contempates, when in other states, without
such charges, distractions have been removed from
rivers having no right to be preferred to
There are some, who concurring in this view, would
yet prefer the distractions in James river be removed
by an appropriation from the treasury Of the sta c
"a Their than from the treasury OF the nation
On this subject the views OF the council, in the fall
l343, expressed in the preamble then adopted
on the motion of Mr. Wckham. That preamble
cites that "the means of the state government have
been literally employed in the improvement of tire up
per navigation which lies wholly within its jurisdiction
and it cannot be expected to engage Its al
ready heavily charged with that and similar undera-
kings in facilitating the navigation below Richmond,
over which it cannot by law exercise any control, and
tom which it derive no reyenue; that ION the
trary, the general government has by law the whole
coltrol this navigation and derives great
from it, either directly in duties collected acre ndI
recy in duties collected elsewhere, the returns for
shipments made from this rver; and that sit Is there
fore bound to provide ior the safety of this navigation
| and to facilitate its convenience and extension"
Ii congress were to abandon the system OF improv-
ing harbours aud rivers by approp1lil ms from the
treasury of the naGon Virginia would be under In
creased Obligations provide for the improvement by
her ow ii means of her rivers and harbours below as
well as above tide-waer But while that system
tnues, and other portions OF our country deriving
benefit from 1t, we cannot feel confidence that APP
preparation for the Improvement OF the navigation OF
James river below Richmond, will be made from the
state treasury. Nevertheless, we do not consider 1t
necessary conne the application this subject
congress exclusively, Surprising 1t to be proper to
effect this improvements it very clear that it can
only be made under the authority OF the state egls
lature or of congress- This being So the Legislature
of the state, think, should do one OF two things
should either make adequate provision tor 1t or in
sst such provision being made by congress. Those
jealous OF concedng to the general government any
right Of jurisdiction the soil of the state, and OPP
posed TO The system OF appropriations by congress,
cannot reasonably oppose adequate provision by
the state legislature; the other hand, those who
oppose a provision by the Legislature on the ground
that the appropriation should come from congress-
should insist that such Appropriation be made Either
way the subject deserves the attention of the state 60
yernment Such attention is proper II regard be had
to the agricultural and commercial interests OF large
portion of the state; especially now, when the trade
to and from Richmond, Petersburg and Norfolk, is
| about be Increased largely OF the
nal and railroads in progress TO the west
| Great as may be the benefits resulting from the
railroad and locomotive, we not OF the number of
those who would s'depreclate the importance OF river
navigation" Whatever will improve the navigation
of the James, and diminish the cost OF transportation
on 1t, we regard matter Of deep interest to ex-
tensve back country; TO Lynchburg and every other
town convenient to the James river canal or any rail-
road in the direction of the James Appomattox
to Norfolk and to Petersburg well as Richmond.
Under act OF the general assembly at 1t its last
session, sanconng the transfer to the City OF Peters
| bug, of stock of the state and individuals Ia the
Lower Appomattox company, the council OF feters-
| burg has authorized the employment OF competent
eng neer to survey the Appomattox from petersburg
to deep water, as TO ascertain the best mode and
| cost of removing the rock and other distractions
therein. Whether or no the council OF Peters
burg shall have the distractions in the Appomattox
removed al the expense of the city, Petersburg has
| common interest with Richmond In the improvement
OF the navigation of James river from the mouth OF
| the Appomattox to the mouth of the James.
These two cities mentioned together in the bill
making appropriations tor the Improvement OF certain
harbours and rivers, as 1t passed the House OF Repre-
sentauves, and was sent the Senate at the last
sion of Congress. There in that bill appro-
prlaton of twenty thousand dollars 'or the improve
ment and further survey of the harbour Richmond
CT y, Virginia, and the James river from said harbour
to the mouh of said river and from the junction Of
| said river with the Appomattox river to the city of
Petersburg" The bill which contained this small ap-
preparation, appropriated more than two millions of
dollars for other Objects among which there was 'or
the removal of distractions to The navigation OF the
Hudson river above ana below Albany" $1,000 in
addition to large sums appropriated in former years
Whether the improvement of James river be pro-
vded for by an appropriation from the treasury of the
State of The nation the cites aud country interest
ed should desire that appropriation to be adequate TO
! the object and the improvement to be OF such KIND
and in such manner as will most facilitate navigation
| L l. n.l.A1r Il 10 he y