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


subject, and the connection of them with the lake
hAroors has often, 10 my knowledge, fatally pre-
JUDGED the former.
:" There are applications for the improvement of
rivers, about which, a matter Of principle and
constitutional poioer, | have no more doubt than
about the harbors upon the lakes or the Atlantic
coast; and there are those which, in nv iudg-
ment come neither within the principle nor the
constitutional power
There has appeared 20 rue 10 be one broad
distinction between these cases, which has not
always been regarded, but which, | think, always
should be. II is between the applications to pro-
tect and secure the safety of commerce upon rivers
where It exists, and is regularly carried on in de-
nance OF the distractions sought 10 be removed,
and IN the face. of the dangers they place in it's
way, and those applications which ask for inn
proyement OF rivers that commerce may be ex-
tended upon them where il is not. The one class
appears 10 me TO ask Congress TO regulate and
protect commerce. upon rivers where commerce
IN fac exists, and the other create il upon rivers
where II does moi saistn s9
Such, then, is the clear and well-defned line of
policy adopted by the Fathers of the Consultation
and the greatest statesmen Of the present day-a
policy which, while ii distinctly repudiates the old
heresy Of general system Of internal improve
ment, meaning by that system embracing ca
mails, roads, bridges, and aid joint stock compa-
nles--apples the legislative power TO such i'm
proyemenis of rivers and harbors as are sseeneral
not local; national, not State "a policy which
refuses TO administer 10 the cupidiy Of specula-
ton, or the rivalry Of mere local interests, bu,
meets the commerce of the whole country on the
great highways of nations, and there extends to il
as well protection from the pers of navigation in
peace as the egis of It's military and naval power
in war. &MEaE f#aA
Sir, whatever fne-spun theories others NAV
Weave, to whatever har-spltting they may resort,
on tins much-debated question, am proud to stand
IN UFn nd ga met nAd hxrt Az - 4
son, Madison, and Monroe and fully endorsed
and approved by Jackson, Calhoun, and Wright.
i plant myself on the Constitution as that sacred
instrument was road, understood, and applied bv
them. Here | confidently await not only the ap-
proving verdict of intelligent and patriotic con-
stituency, but Of all who desire the full Develop
ment Of our national resources and the highest
prosperity of our foreign and domestic commerce
Having expressed these views in relation 10 the
constitutional question, shall now address nv
self to the considerations which have been urged
against this bill. The gentleman from Kentucky
Mr.. MARSHALL complains of the manner in
which these appropriations were proposed to be
applied 10 the western rivers. He urged that the
sum of 1850, 900 named for them all should have
been divided and distributed by the bill to the
several objects TO which ii was to be applied |
will say 10 the committee in reference to that
point that the manner of appropriation adopted in
the bill was introduced matter of economy,
with the Typographical Bureau. Former appro-
priations have been made to Individual works
The custom has been TO open an account with
each work separately, and in every case 10 pro-
cure for each of these works upon the western
waters separate and distinct company of men
to operate, and distinct equipment Of boats and
machinery necessary to carry on the operations
II has, however, been found by experience, more
economical for the Government to have general
appropriation, which would enable them to por-
chase one set of boats and implements in num-
Der and equipment sufficient for the work on all
the rivers, and to operate upon them as the ex-
igencics of the case might seem 10 require. Thus
the Typographical BuIe eau, under whose direction
the whole force operating on these waters will be
placed, can adapt their movements to the state of
the water, and other circumstances, as may best
subserve the interests of the Government. The
gentleman has also alluded 10 what he has been
pleased to denominate the apparent inequality of
these appropriations between the different sections
OF the country. hope gentlemen have examined
this subject fort hemselves and if they have, they
viii soc that there is no such inequality existing.
None surely was intended. They will find, upon
looking over these appropriations, that for the
Atlantic coast there is an amount Of $3.50, 600
for the northern lakes, S492, 900; and for the
western rivers and harbors, Sass 600 Such a
distribution, If tested by the only proper criterion
by which appropriations of a national character
should be trIed-ibe actual wants for the opera
tons of the next fiscal years. eminenly just and
proper.
Again, IN regard TO the western rivers, in no
case have we reduced the estimates sent to us from
the department for these rivers, but we have
given them in every instance the full amount
asked for by the government We have gone
further we have added TO the appropriations for
the western rivers Si25,000, which The govern
ment did not ask for, and for which they sent us
no estimates until we called for them We have
recommended large amount required for open
ing the mouth OF the Mississippi, for the benefit
Of the great trade not only of New Orleans bu,
of the upper country.
| differ with the gentleman from Kentuc XIV
Mr.. MARSHALL in his view Of the character Of
this appropriation. The appropriation for the
mouth of the Mississippi is as advantageous 10
the Upper Mississippi, the Ohio, or the Missouri,
as II II was given 10 these rivers specifically.
No appropriation is more needed than that which
opens the mouth Of the Mississippi, giving access
to the foreign trade, and an outlet for the whole
internal trade of the great valley. At the present
time the mouth Of the Mississippi is so clogged
es almost TO prevent navigation. There is not IN
tins ball single case which appeals more strong "
10 the House for the exercise Of the consts tiona
power to improve rivers than this very appropns-
non. So deeply has 1t been felt by the people in
that quarter, that they have come here in large
numbers, representing the mercantile and shipping
interest Of the city Of New Orleans and have laid
before statistical information showing the most
alarming extent and injury Of these distractions
The Senate, upon this representation, without
waiting for the usual forms of business, passed a
bill approprIatIng the Of SIS 900, and sent II
TO us asking our concurrence IN the measure. The
committee, however, have placed it in this bill
deoming just 70 the pressing wants Of other parts
Of the country that this appropriation should
abide the action OF the House upon the genera
subiect--for there other points suffering foi
immediate appropriations. ! might name the city
of Boston, where the main channel TO its harbo
has been for several years back filling up by III,
abrasion Of the island lying near il, which Is no
only blocking up that channel but threatens Sc
rious injury to the whole commerce Of that port
Indeed this will demand our action Immediately
IN military point Of view, IL in no other.
In the last Congress an appropriation mad,
| Of $4,000 for the purpose Of protecting Grea
Brewster Island, in the harbor OF Boston. lfthb
island ia washed away, land il ~ now rapidly
going,) il VIII fl up the only good channel which
gives access 10 the large shipping OF Boston, snc
will deprive the hsrbor Of that CRY Of the proec
| ton Of the forts and batteries we have erected
there 10 defend the commercial emporium of III.
| North Therc are uuurrof1s instances of chi