The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-25

ton to postpone was not agreed TO- a. ollowsayes a.
noes 49,
The question then required upon the amendment OF the
committee 10 the bill.
MIR. SOULE. Mr. President have but word 10 add
10 what has been said this question. am seriously
apprehensye that unless the amendment proposed oy he
Committee ON Commerce be adopted by me oena'e ne
appropriation itself may fall TO the ground, ana DC rem
deed perfectly useless My Apprehension IS based upon
this from the phraseology when mas
been adopted by the House il might seem az II lne
appropriated were to cover al inc ~ no =, IN
meaning which might be attached to the clause as came
from The House. the Senate will perceive that cannot
consent lis remaining 10 that conditon; lhg very aug
IMr HALEl would prevent me from dong So lie al
iaded 10 the case OF some appropriation made al the
lasi session in favor OF California which could not be
acted upon on account OF the appropriated not hay-
ing reached the necessary TO effect the whole work
for which il had been thus appropriated. II such rule
prevailed in that case. will equally prevail IN Inc pres
snt one; and labor under some apprehension that no
contract then will be entered nto Tor it is obvious
and have wish TO conceal It, either from the Senate
or from the counrythat this work. TO be completed IN
manner that will make it truly available for the great
purposes intended to be accomplished, will necessitae
expenditure on the part Of this government not far be-
low 8300.000
The Committee on Commerce being under that impress.
sion and being provided with all the materials that could
enable them to judge OF the nature and extent OF the
work 10 be undertaken and anticipating the large amount
of expenditure which it would render necessary consd-
cred important 10 make the appropriation in such Ian
guage would leave no doubt OF the intention OF Con-
carry il upon data and estimates that would enable
them Judge that properly directed and attended TO-
II senators will do me the favor 10 look at the amend
ment as il comes from the Committee Commerce, they
will that it places il beyond all doubt that this IS but
an iniatory appropriaon-hat il is not expected that IT
will be sufficient 10 enable the department to complete
the work. but that the contrary SO far from expecting
any such thing the hands OF the Department. we be-
forehand tell them that they are TO go on with the sum
appropriated and 70 prepare an estimate OF ae probable
session appropriate whatever amount may be deemed
necessary to complete the work thus laying on large
basis the foundation OF the great undertaking which ths
of encouraging with its special care and protection.
Such being the view which entertain of the effect
may have, and of the meaning which the amendments
proposed by the Committee on Commerce strikingly
imports, eneat those who truly the friends OF The
measure TO vote for the amendment and by their vote to
guard the measure against the danger Of being defeated
under the unguaded phraseology adopted by the House
Mr. DOWNS. | wish to say, that in voting against
geher do not understand il stands in the bill that
requires other appropriation to be made, but that it
requires OF the Secretary to report the CONTRACT the man
which the work is done the progress OF the work
and the amount required annually to keep the passes
open. The language oil the bill IS:
Sand it shall be duty of the Secretary of War APP
ply said the opening of said shpcanal by con
said contract the PROCESS OF said work. and the
nuai cost OF keeping said channel open"
That the language of the bill it stands, and
nOhlDg II 10 imply that mat flnaI, and
that there is to be appropriated shall, there
lore, vote against the amendment.
Mr.. SOULE The remarks that have fallen from my
colleague but strengthen me in the opinion which have
oppressed He will himself perceive by looking to the
wording OF the amendment as il comes from the commit
tee that there is material difference between and the
provision OF the bill. While the bill from the House
quires The Secretary of War merely report upon The
progress of the work. and the probable of maintain
ing the passes open, does not say anything about any
amount necessary complete that work but the amend
ment of the committee requires him to give Congress an
estimate of the amount necessary to complete thereby
clearly indicating that The $4,000 but entering
wedge into the work. and that Congress does expect
the department 10 be limited to these 900 the
petion OF the work. cannot hesitate moment in be-
eving that il this amendment be not adopted the appro-
priation IL in great danger OF being OF no avail.
Mr.. CHASE. have heard no argument applied d.
recy to this amendment as merItorious proposition.
The arguments have been against any amendment 10 this
bill al all and az il is one in which the State which
have the honor in part 10 represent has deep interest,"
both il from the House of Representatives and
as II proposed 10 DC amended oy me committee OF The
amendment not as test question. II this bill had come
mp for consideration al the very heel OF the session.
the with former bill, that no time could be
their action upon the amendments OF this body there
would be some reason why we should vote against all
amendments which necessarily cannot be attended 10
without loss OF The bill But such is not now the
II the Senate choose to take the time for the con-
sideraion OF this bill. we can take it, we can consider X
we can pesevere in its considers and, il necessary
sit late in order TO accomplish action upon this bills and
within two days consider all the amend
inens, and send the bill 10 the House.
Now, 40 far as regards this particular amendment
Without having the OF forming accurate iudg.
upon il myself feel disposed TO defer to the opinion
OF the committee who have reported it, and OF the honora-
bic senator from louisiana Mr. SouLrJ who resides in
the city TO be most Immediately affected by il shall
therefore vote for the amendment refer to it, however
for the purpose of illustrating the position in which
shall place ourselves by refusing to vote amendments
There is amendment in this bill for harbor at Huron
upon Lake Erie Well SIR, within the last few weeks
storm has swept away the lighthouse upon that point,
and also the piers by which the harbor formed and
now, since this bill reported TO from the House. the
Senate committee have proposed amendment 10 provide
for repairing that destruction This il OF the most
important harbors the lakes and shall we adhere
rgdly TO the bill az s and refuse TO repair the injuries
which the storms of the last few weeks have caused
therel IL seems 10 that that would be wise egis-
laton prefer, for 10 discharge my duties here
senator, and consider this bill which have the time
consider, and spend the time upon necessary for its
consideration and then return il 10 the other House
where have no doubt the bill will be acted upon.
Mr.. DAVIS. wish TO say a word or two about the
merits OF this portion OF the bill The honorable senator
from Ohio tMr. CHAsE] seems 10 think that there has
been omission OF duty IN that respect, and will
respond 10 his suggestion would them say to that sen.
aior that the passes of the Mississippi river choked
up with various sorts oil distractions, so that there is
not a sufficient depth OF water for ships which in the
New Orleans for the purpose OF taking cargoes there
and carrying cargoes away These ships OF the largest
draught ofentmes detained there sunk in the mud,
and sometimes experience injury from that causea any
rate very great Inconvenience The foods coming dow
the Mississippi river oenmes increase these bars
the different passes and make the distractions in.
convenient and injurious TO the Of the country