The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-08-19

say While improvements Of a minor character
were provided for in the bill, no provision
made whatever for the improvement Of the Cum
Lerland or the Tennessee rivers, which were Of
great length and of vast importance. He was for
amending the bill. II the House refused to agree
to those amendments, the Senate could, If il
thought proper, rccede from its amendments.
MIR. DOWNS said he was not satisfied with the
bill il stood But he did not desire 70 defeat all
by endeavoring to get all that he thought ought
to be given.
MIR. HALE said that the existence of the State of
New Hampshire would never be known were it
not Tor the doings Of certain political conventions,
go Tar rs the legislation Of Congress the subject
OF Internal Improvements was concerned. Moth.
ing had been expended in that State. More money
was raised annually for the factory girls and others
in that Stale by way OF direct taxation in the shape
OF postage on letters, than was ever expended by
the United States in that State. He had no local
interes. in this bill. but he would vote for it; he
would vote for the amendment also, for that did
| not increase diminish the appropriations.
He would like to know what was meant by q
general system. He would like that term gen.
Constitution was no longer referred to on :nis sub.
ject, but the matter was laid domn In platforms.
There were not in the Senate now any old fogies
to refer to tn: Constitution this point. but all
squared their conduct undue by platforms. He hoped
which was to be avoided. 1t would appear that
that system which the majority adopted was not
The general sysiem, but that the minority al.
| were very popular now rs candidates, but not
| for systelns. General Scott and General Pierce
| could find supporters, but no one went for general
system The Constitution, it appeared, was now
| an obsolete idea. He thought il would be well to
| change that resolution requiring the Constitution
TO be printed with the rules Of the Senate and dis
| trihuted among the members. Better have the
| Constitution handed over to some antiquarian Sc
cicty, and have in It's place the platforms printed
with the rules. He was in favor of general sys
tenn Of improvements. He was for any thing na
tional, whether it was for the improvement Of the
Mississippi, the patapsco, or the Hudson
| Mr.. MALLORY thought the amendment pro.
per one. He thought that the attempt to cut oil
all amendments would have the effect Of prevent
ing gentlemen from voting for the bill who other
wise would do SO. The bill contained no appro.
priation for Florida, with her extended coast.
/ Mr.. MASON moved that the bill be postponed
| and that the Senate proceed to the consideration
of Executive business Lost-ayes %, noes %.
| Messrs. sOULE, DAVIS, and DOWNS, con.
! tinucd the debate on the amend nent.
Mr. CHASE thought there was time for the Sen.
ate to amend this bill, and for the House to act on
| the amendments. He referred to the case OF Huron
harbo on Lake Erie. which had been injured by
| recent storm That barbor was an important
one, and an amcndmen. for its repair had been re-
ported.
Mr.. DAWSON opposed the bill. He read from
the speech made al the last session by General
Cas- against the bill then pending, in which that
bill was opposed because no estimates had been
fur nished. He insisted that the same arguments
held good now. He objected to the practical en-
| lofCement Of the previous question in the Sen
ate by cutting I'll, through agreement. all amend
inents.
Mr.. CASS said that if the Senat tor would point
out item in this bill for which estimate was
made he would vote against it.
Mr.. BRIGHT explained that the bill at the last
! session contained twenty one items for which no
| estimate had been furnished. Every item in this
bill had been estimated for.
| Mr.. DAWSON briefly replied when,
On motion of Mr.. JAMES
The Senate adjourned,