The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-24


lion gives me upon all legislative questions
Ibis very amendment is of vast importance. The
bill as u comes from the House OF Representatives makes
general appropriation for the Improvement OF the Mis-
sssippi and is tributaries Now, my own deliberate
judgment, upon the best reflection that can give the
matter, and from conversations that have had with
those most familiar with the Improvement OF those
streams is just this that, under the bill OF The Honse
as they sent il 10 US, the embarrassmenis which will
eried upon the Secretary OF War from the different To-
caites here and there who, with the expenditures ex-
pended as they DESIRE will be such that The result viii
be the expenditure OF the money gwen by the bill II
comes from the House, and little or nothing will be done.
/ What, then, will be the effect of all hati You will
have expended all the money, and rendered the system
objectionable and repugnant 10 the county, unless you
accomplish good And feel confident that unless
The bill as comes from the House is changed in some
respects the result will be bur little than 70 take the
money OF the treasury Of The United States and expeRd
II upon particular localities The amendment under con-
sdeation provides for snag boats They structures
which last for len or twelve years And when they are
made, as matter OF course they will be applied TO the
worst portions OF the rivers of the West, and the i'm
provements made in consequence OF the operations OF
these boats will be OF permanent and beneficial char,
acter Where there are snags 10 be taken ont-and
these the principal distractions in the western
rivers-these boats will go. With very lile expend-
turc hereafter these boats be made permanent sruc
lures after they are once got up so as to keep the nay
CATION OF The Mississippi in a condition OF safety
Under such circumstances, do hope and trust, and
call upon those who know the great valley OF the Misss
sipp, they are anxious TO improve these rivers, to
come forward aud stand by these amendments which
promise to give the means for that Improvement Unless
this is done This expenditure and appropriations will
amount 10 loss to the treasury and put reasons in the
mouths of politicians against the entire system. My
opinion is that there is sort of danger 10 be appIe
hended IN the House OF Representatives The Missls-
sppi valley has always complained that they have not
received their full share OF the attentions OF the govern
ment in this respect That is true; they have not re-
ceyed and that, too owing to the votes OF their
delegates here; and if reject these amendments
will but furnish another reason against the Improvement
of the western rivers.
afr ,ld ~ Cnn
the amendment His speech was published in the Union
OF The 29th ut
Mr. JONES, of Tennessee. do not rise for the pur.
pose of making speech. have occupied the alien
ton OF the Senate yet single moment in the consid-
Grafton OF this question, and now propose TO speak but
few moments; and should not do that but for The prop
ositon OF one OF the friends OF this measure the gentle
man from Iowa. Mr. DoDGE,l to the friends of this bill,
10 reject all the amendments made in committee OF the
whole We have debated this bill for three four days,
aud large portion OF those days has been consumed in
discussing this question: and large portion OF the time
has been occupied in defining positions and determining
whether gentlemen acting in conformity with plat
forms or not. Now do not care single straw about
this question OF platform. | not here sworn 10 sup
port any platform. am here support the
s,tu'ion OF the United States; and in determining the
course ol action proper Tor me 10 pnrsue have never
gone to the record 10 determine whether is found in ths
platform or that one. And shall never go there, until
there is change in the order OF things, and we are
here by platforms instead OF by the constitution oil
the United States Now, whether this comes
up TO the wing platform or the democratic platform,
ocraiic friends 10 settle tor themselves, II they
slider II OF sufficient importance. But submit 10 them
whelhe they are here Tor The purpose oil iegslaug un-
der the requirements oil platform or under The require
ments of the constitution.
IL is said we cannot 60 for general system oil inl-
proyeents that the doctrine Of our democratic trends
Now, go Tor no other than general system go Tor
that system which is calculated 10 confer The largest
amount OF benefit upon the whole country; and whether
IT il in my platform not il is in my convictions oil con-
stuIonal duty, and shall pursue that course. Now,
whether IL Is general system or special system, or
Whatever sort OF system you may choose to call II, !
shall not stop to inquire shall only ask myself as 10
the consiluonalI,y or unconstituiionay of the sys
tenn; and liIt be constitutional aud successful system
whether It be special or general-i shall support il, !
am ready TO give my support 10 this bill from an honest
conviction that we u does not do justice TO any por-
ton OF NE county, apPfoSmaes "a nearly TO that as
II is possible tor us TO do now. And il gentlemen de-
sire 10 make more Just than ls why DO they not Of
fer amendments 10 il Tor that purpose Do they fear 10
make IL TOO general and thereby come in conflict with
platforms laid down By their paresl They should only
ask themselves whether IL comes within the purvew and
spirit OF The constitution not Now, II they oppose II
upon constitutional grounds, can understand their po-
silion; but cannot comprehend opposition upon the
ground OF platform.
AS TO the remarks of the honorable senator from Mchi.
gan MIR CAss1 have nothing TO say That be finds me-
cessary 10 yIndcae his consistency matter that con.
Germs himself alone and not me. do mol assa his
slstency sba not assa his consistency. Whether he
has been heretofore Tor against this system-whether
hs party is ior II or against IT, or whether s orthodox
or not, is altogether lmmaerla 10 me- glad 10 lind
him al last with us upon this great question.
Now The proposition is to strike out all these amend
mens. Thai is the pon, to which wish to invite the
tention of the Senate Have been playing the part
children for the last three or four days The Senate after
deliberaon and discussion, have inserted these amend
menis and are we 10 sulfy ourselves by striking them
all out! Were they put in properly and correctly
IN good faith and with honest aud firm conviction
tsa the interests oil the country demanded them II they
were, then let them remain there II they were notsf lhej
were put In improperly and lncorecy-then reject them
and pat in others know my freud from Iowa tMr
DoDGE is friend 10 this measure know his solic
tude is 10 carry through. But lei say TO him tha
II you strike out at fell swoop all the amendments
put in this bill by the Stnate, by doing, instead o
sreng henng you will destroy the Now, asI
that honorable senator II there is solitary member here
, who lives upon the border OF the Mississippi river
and who interested in the trade OF that great val
ley, who can feel himself justified in his own con
science and before his constituents TO vote 10 strike
out the additional appropriations Tor the Western
and drawers OF water 10 our brethren OF the Atlantic
seaboardi How long we 10 contribute largely
as we now do 10 the support OF this government by h'
paying OF axes in the shape OF impoh duliesl How
long are we thus TO be baTdened and Thea, when
here before the American Senae and ask that this poo
plttanee OF justice shall be measured out To have
denied us4 am sectional man, Strike out these ap
proprailons or my section OF the country, and show
that the interests OF the country may be subserved bJ
wing all the appropriations To the section OF h,
country and 10 the Atlantic seaboard, and will lo
H. But II you choose treat alien this great
public IN this great conledeacy oil States, strike the blow
bat strike boldly And as long as claim be an Amer
icsn senator will goi reiaaie by doing injustice AM
portion of this country.
/, The history OF the country demonstrates that VI
nf The Wrst never received n th