The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-24

gest them 10 let this which has lust passed
IN COMMITTEES 20 into the Senate is. and lake up
some Improvement: you viii then be able to test the
question whether there is disposition TO adopt amend
n msnis OF not! That will bring you to the question you
let this remain the Chair has decided it, and 20 on and
consider the other amendments.
Mr.. BRIGHT disagree with the senator from Mas.
the proper time 10 test the question whether the Senate
will amend the bill ornot II pass this amendment
shall as matter OF course, follow up with other
amendments Doubtless majority OF the senators pres
ent have amendments to offer; and now is the proper
time 10 consider how far any alteration of the bill may
affect its final passage concur in much that has been
said by my distinguished friend from Michigan. There
is no section OF this Union neglected by the pro-
visions OF tas bill than the great West Only $500 900
s proposed for the Improvement OF the Mississippi Ohio,
iSsouri and Arb nvesan amount needed for the
Ohio aone in order TO prosecute the work with despatch
and profit, SO far the interests Of tade travel and
Commerce generally are concerned And, sir appropra-
lions tor objects important the improvement OF the
Mississippi and Ohio rivers should be made separately,
not collectively regret that the bill had not been
worded as to apply specially 70 each OF these rivers the
amount intended to be expended upon them. instead OF
approprlang gross sum- and leaving It TO the disce-
iion OF the officials Of the government TO apply it, where
and as they may choose But 40 not propose discuss
self to the collateral quesono how far the fate OF this
bill depended upon legislation Of the Senate requiring
the concurrent action OF the House. The bill needs
amendment in many important particulars, but shall
not be the first 10 prepare them prefer rather TO see
those who claim to be the especial friends of lakes,
rivers and harbos take charge of this bill and if in its
progress amendments made, shall feel it to be my
duty to offer one, embracing The stalls OF the Ohio, as
the section that subject amounts to nothing in prac-
's M p0ofc e an assasd to think Mr. pe
dent that this is the first time in the history of the egs
laon of this country that an attempt has been made to
establish hs r9sps' a ayoWsa WEI ey ns a senator
tMr. BRIGHTl Now, sir, what does it amount to! Both
Of these gentlemen afirmthe senator from Indiana
pecallyhat this bill ought not to be amended although
the appropriations necessarily fall short certain portions
districts of the country, for certain works and for
tain purposes, and although they may be extravagan in
other sections of the country for other works and other
bill as it ia, defective as it may be. And why Be-
cause il you discuss it, and it is amended it must have
the effect OF defeating in the House for want OF time
Now, sir, suppose we to act upon this system OF
logic in relation to all our legislation, what would be the
ehecti
s,Mr BRIGHT. hope the senator from Missouri will
permit correc, him did not sayai least did
wish to be understood sayng-that there any pro-
vision in the bill which considered grossly wrong
though it has very objectionable items TO my mind
look upon the bill as much better bill than the one de-
feated at the last session OF Congress; yet believe it
falls far shor Of doing justice to many points in the West
ans o. 70, ses DE-
Mr. ATCHISON. understand the senator TO reiterate
what he said before tina, the bill is very good far
goes Why, sir, the appropriations for the Rissis
spp liver and its tributaries amount to some $500 900
only and understand anything OF what the honorable
senator says il is that larger appropriations should be
made for the waters of the Mississippi valley Mr. Pres
ident, the Senate knows as well do that $3.50 900
would purchase the snag boats necessary TO operate
upon the Missouri and Arkansas rivers alone, 10 say
is complained that the punder-no. not plunder, Mr.
President take that word back-I should have said the
money which is appropriated IN this bill rs not equally
distributed throughout the United States thereby nma
ting that bill OF this character should make, as near
may be, equal distribution Of the money appropriated
the different sections OF this Union, not with regard to
the position the necessity oil the works TO which the
money is 10 be appropriated.
Mr.. President, take this occasion 10 say that this
BILL in all its features il not containing the exact appro
patons for the exact works, yet mainly the bill
that vetoed some years ago by Mr. Polk | do not
know whether The party principles oil those gesuemen
who voted 10 susia that veto at that time have under
gone any change they may have done for aught that
know but, sir intend 10 stand precisely where did
then, and where have always stood upon this subject
And here ayow that i ! believed every object con.
combining many different interests, and making ap-
popratons for every congressional district in the United
States, would vote against upon the ground that ii
appears fraudulent upon its face.
Mr.. PRATT. Mr. President, there may be something
very forcible in the last argument urged by my friend
from Missouri upon my right, that this is The same bill in
principle with the which was vetoed by MIR Polk,
| and containing almost the same appropriations, The
conclusion necessarily is, that because that bill
toed by Mr. Polk, therefore the Senate OF the United
States ought pass this bill now But, sir, that bill
OF course, passed by Congress anterior It's being
vetoed by Mr. Polk He vetoed that bill but my irieud
seems not 10 recoect mat s part oil the history oil
those times that that act OF the great
which occasioned the veto by the people OF Mr. Polk
himself therefore regard the argument as unsound.
Mr.. ATCHlSON. | meant TO say this-that did not
know whether anything had occurred to change the
views OF gentlemen with respect to the principles upon
which that bill vetoed did not know that any
thing had transpred TO change their opinions TO the
power of Congress to pass such BILL 10 the expe-
deney OF adopting measures OF this kind.
| Mr.. PRATT With reference TO the power oil Con-
gess, Mr. President of all those who believe that
has he In paee n
vote for this BILL however il may be amended therefore
the argument cannot be Justly and logically applied
that class OF senator's And with reference TO the expe
Jency OF passing the think that the result Of
the eecon 10 which reference has been made clearly
demonstrates that there is reasonable ground for sup
posing that change OF opinion may have taken place.
| Mr.. ADAMS. Mr. Polk declined being considered a
candidate before the convention.
/ Mr.. PRATT. IL not understood upon our
side. 1t understood among the unntiaed that he
candidate before se convention, and that the party
| MIR. ADAMS. II the senator will allow me. | beg
leave TO say that that certainly misunderstanding
/ knew il personally from Mr. Polk himself that long
before the convention met he did not wish to be
sdered as a candidate.
Mr.. PRATT. Very well, I am perfectly willing TO be
corrected But, sir, the argument OF NY friend is this
He says this bill ought 10 be amended, and that the
sentiment avowed by my friend from Indiana tMr
BRIoHT Is monstrous, when he says that, believing all
the appropriations in the bill are right he is willing to
20 for without its being amended although he thinks
the bill might be improved BY increasing the appropra
tions for the objects which ne has indicated IL there
anything wrong in that sir II senators coming from
the great Mississippi valley cannot get such extensive
appropriations they would desire for Improvements in