The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-28

the legislation of the country, under all political
parties. that II is now approved and sanctioned by
large majority of the people. Recurring to past
legislation, We find that from the commencement
of MIR. Jeferson's administration TO the end of
MIR. Tyler's, there have been appropriated for the
construction and repair of roads, and the improve
ment of rivers and harbors, Sl7, 1875, 222. These
appropriations were made as follows:
Under Mr.. Jefferson. ............ S48, 400
MIR. Madison. ........,...... $50 800
Mr.. Monroe. 707 ,62l
Mr.. j. u. Adams. ...........- 23lO,475
:" General Jackson. ........... l0, $50 1852
Mr.. van Buren,. ...t......... Do, 544
MT. Tyler. OFT, 500
Although the appropriations during the admin
istrations of Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe,
were made chiefly for the improvement of roads
and canals, yet we find in 1902 an appropriation
of $4,000 for repairing and erecting piers in the
Delaware river; in 1905, an appropriation Of
&5,663 for the same purpose, and still another in
1906. These acts received the official approval OF
Mr.. Jefferson.
In 1916, under the administration Of Mr. Madi-
son, an act passed making an appropriation for
repairing the piers in the harbor of Newburyport
and the preservation of Plymouth beach, 10 the
State of Massachusetts; and another in 1924,
under the administra alton of Mr.. Monroe, appro-
prating $4,000 for the improvement of the navi-
CATION of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers Thus
men, Jefferson, Madison, and Monroe, did not
admit the power OF the General Government TO
enter upon and adopt general system Of inter-
nal improvements, embracing roads and canals
they did not hesitate to approve Of acts of Con-
grcss for The aid and protection OF commerce, by
erecting piers and other harbor works, and i'm
proving the navigation Of our large rivers.
There had been, however, ever since the close
Of the war Of 1912, large party in the country
in favor Of system of internal improvements
embracing the construction Of roads and canals
in the States by the General Government.
The Cumberland road commenced during the
administration Of Jefferson and the gigantic en-
terprise Of New York for connecting the waters of
the lakes with the Atlantic had begun to develop
the wealth Of the great West The practicability
and the advantages of these avenues OF trade and
commerce no longer problematicai. The
question was settled. The enterprise of the whole
country was aroused and urged capital and leeis-
lation 10 follow these glorious examples. As is
usual in such cases, this fervor mingled with po-
litical agitation, and the expcdicncy OF our Cow
eminent adopting general system Of internal i'm
provements, extending over the whole country
became one Of the leading topics in the political
discussions Of the day. In Congress the move
ment took decided shape and character. In the
House of Representatives a committee, called A
Committee on Internal improvements was
formed.
The system Of improvements by roads and ca
nails was adopted, nurtured by this organ Of the
House, and increased from year TO year in ex-
tent, in the number and magnitude Of the works
recommended, and the expenditures incurred,
until ii received check in General Jaeksons veto
Of the Msysvine road bill and was finally pros
trnied by the prevalence Of the doctrines of that
celebrated message, elaborated, discussed and ro-
pcatcdly applied IN his subsequent messages The
extent OF the evils engendercd by this system will
be seen by the character Of the bills which were
reported. This Committee on internal Improve
ments was abolished IN 1882; and the contents Of
the last bill reported by Il should be preserved as
Illustrative OF the system which II represented IL
contained, among other appropriations, the fol-
lowing For a road from Detroit TO Grand river
a road from Memphis TO Little Rock a national
road from Portsmouth, Ohio, 10 Lynnville noun
tain, IN North Carolina a roa from Lower Sam
dpsky 10 the boundary line; for canal from the
Illinois river to Lake Michigan for subscription
to tho Alexandra Canal Company, and to erect
bridge over the Ohio river at Wheeling Here,
then, are grouped together, IN one system, roads,
bridges canals, and JOINT stock companies exhib-
ting the true character Of that class Of improve
ments for which there were, at the time Of the
MSysville veto, projects before Congress the com
pleton OF which would have required more than
500 ,000, 600. The Maysyllle road itself started
at point on The Ohio river, and ran only sixty
miles to an interior town. Ii was a strong case
OF a mere local Improvement.
The doctrine which finally prevailed, and which
was sanctioned by the administration Of General
jackson as the true constitutional doctrine, and
was followed in the subsequent administration OF
Mr.. Van Buren,, is thus laid down by General
Jackson:
There is another class Of appropriations for
what may be called, without improperly internal
improvements, which have for their object the
improvement of our hsrbors, the removal Of par
ual and temporary distractions in our navigablc
rivers for the facility and security OF our foreign
commerce. The grounds upon which dst,n.
guished appropriations Of this character from
Others, have already been stated to Congress
will now only add, that ut the FIRST session Of Con-
gross under the new Constitution, ii was provided
| BY law that all expenses which should accrue
from and aftor the 18th day Of August, l7S9, in
the necessary support, and maintenance, and re-
pairs Of all lighthouses, beacons, buoys and pub
lie piers, erected, placed, sunk, before the pas
sage Of this act, within any bay, inlet harbor, Of
pert Of the United States, for rendering the navi
| CATION there easy and safe, should be betrayed ou
| OF the Treasury OF the United States and further
that il be the duty Of the Secretary Of the Treas
ury to provide by contracts, with TIE appreciation
/ Of the President, for rebuilding when necessary
and keeping IN good repair, the lighthouses. bes
cons buoys, and public piers IN the several States
and for furnishing them with supplies. APpro