The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-29

tend TO says and now, having finished my remarks
move TO postpone this bill indefinitely,
Mr.: DAVIS | rise to ask The yeas and nays that
question,
Mr. HAMLIN | co not desire to prolong this dis.
cussion but desire the attention OF my friend from llli-
nois, Mr. SmELps,l who has made this amendment,
think shall be able 10 induce him TO withdraw that
amendment My object is to get vote upon this bill
understand the amendment now pending TO be general
a%endSSen, S1,s aPMpyopsiing M $40 600 for surveys,
Mr. SHiELDS Fifty thousand dollars.
MIR. HAMLlN, Then, il do not induce my friend TO
withdraw the whole OF it, trust shall one bali OF il.
stated yesterday that the appropriation in this BILL line
ern lakes, including Lake SUPERIOR of $25.ooo.
probably designed for survey corresponding somewhat
to the survey upon the Atlantic shore very
! well satisfied then that the senator from Michigan, who
had given that information, mistaken. thought
then; but supposing his knowledge 10 be superior to
Senate. am now satisfied that be was incorrect, and
that was right in my original proposition, that the
u dso Y ns D . iG s purpose % q surveys p mar
hand the report of Colonel Albert. OF the corps of iopo
graphical engineers, in which he says in many words
that that 25 600 was recommended for the purpose OF
making specific surveys upon the lakes, and not for
the purpose OF a coast survey.
Mr.. BADGER (in'erposing.) Mr.. President, is there
not a question for pos!ponng this subject
The PRESIDENT. There is; but that opens the
whole subject
Senate that The amendment pending should be with
drawn and am in hopes TO induce my friend from li-
nols (Mr SHiELDs) TO do SO, which will be an induce
ment not TO postpone the bill
Mr.. CASS On yesterday the question came up about
an appropriation for surveys OF barbors and advered
to the appropriation of $25OoO which supposed 10 be
the ordinary appropriation that has been made for twen
ty or twenty-five years past for carrying on regular
hydrographc survey of the lake coast like the coast sur
yyey upon The ocean, and the senator from Name Mr.
HiM1lf M1 IA SGnfS' MniS the os same me thing.
Mr.. CASS. At any rate, thought Now find
that intended for that purpose but that that ap
preparation is contained In another bill Therefore was
incorrect.
Mr. SHIELDS. Mr. President the honorable senator
from Maine Mr. HAMLINl has stated one thing that will
induce TO change The phaseoogy OF this amendment,
to make it accomplish The object had in view.
which was examination Reconnaissance in what
is technically called survey will change the word
"coast survey" 10 Reconnaissance and examination"
Tor the purpose of classification"
Mr. BUTLER. AT the instance of some gentleman.
VIII witndfsw Tor ihe present ihe motion 10 postpone;
but | intend TO renew il when there are few more
amendments appended
The PRESIDENT. With the permission Of the SEN
ate, the senator from Illinois will modify the amendment
as proposed
Mr.: DOUGLAS. rise TO express hope that before
we discuss the general principles OF the BILL far the
system of internal improvements is concerned. may
go on and vote upon The amendments of the committee,
making only such speeches will be pertinent to those
amendments have upon the table amendment
which il is my purpose 10 offer, and that will bring up
arly and fully the merits of the entire question. snail
be ready to go into an explanation OF that amendment
when il shall come up; and il strikes me that we
get along more rapidly II we will confne ourselves now
simply TO explanations npon particular amendments IN
Ill get through with the amendments OF The COM
mittee. Then | will offer an amendment in relation TO
tonnage duties and then The speeches will be entirely ap
piicahe 10 the subject before the Senate, and we can
contrast one with the other.
| Mr. BURLAND. / have a single word TO say in no
tee OF remark made by the senator from Louisiana,
[Mr. D0wHs1 The senator from Louisiana, in under
taking TO show that the proposed amendment of the
tor from Illinois [Mr. SHIELDsl both unnecessary
and improper, mentioned instance an illustration.
He said that where a work VIGOROUSLY necessary,
and Improvement needed-and only such should
he considered and acted upon-no explanation report
from typographical engineers necessary and he in
he Of as oil
cases II is rather unfortunate for his purpose; for il
happens that that particular work has been undergoing
an examination and survey, under the direction OF the
government for several years past and II is an improve
nent that has neyerbeen brought before Congress- an
appropriation asked for until the reports OF these engi-
neers have been laid upon our table which | suppose
every senator has examined 1t is work. the extent OF
which was not known. nor the amount OF money re-
quired, until thus very examination made by compe
tent engineers under the direction Of The government
Mr.. DOWNS What examination does the senator
, refer 10
Mr. BoRLAND. I refer particularly to a special ex-
animation made by Mr. Eet and several other engineers,
ander the direction OF the government report OF which
was before Us last year, and ordered 10 be printed.
MIR DOWNS. Long before that-many years ago-a
most thorough survey made OF all the mouths oil the
Misssspp by engineers OF high character There has
been survey OF them, most certainly bat do not un-
dersand that this appropriation is based upon any OF these
surveys, but upon the fact as stated before that there
had been great obslructons OF the commerce. particularly
OF late These facts bave been presented here by my coll
league
Mr.. BoRLAND The remarks Of the senator strength
Bat seems after all that done, II still requires another,
and this is the first time since my recollection here that
an appropriation has been asked for the accomplishment
of the work Not till Mr.. Elleps report made, IN
which he demonstrates not only the pfopriey, bat the
feasibility of the work, has appropriation been asked
! The senator from Louisiana [Mr Dowssl comments
pretty strongly upon the position OF those senators
who are in favor Of what he 10 suppose TO be a
general system of improvements and undertook to draw
Tie line between national and local, understood him.
He undertook 10 define what sort OF work should be
undertaken by the government; and wha, did he say
tce OF the government bad been 10 improve imroant
these diculties- national, local. and important After
oueslion IT, because but important works should be
undertaken-l would like to know how relieves the
subject from the difficulty and how puts il under any
other supervision than the discretion OF Congress- Who
i 10 declare what is important is the very point to be de-
temined and the question under considerations and after
all define it you will, IT has always been left to The
sou nd discretion OF the legislative body. No man can
draw a mathematical line where national ends and local
begins The whole practice OF the government, and the
approval OF every President Of the United States down to
the present time, have sanctioned the power OF Congress
70 make improvements Of rivers and barbors. ] not
aware in the whole history OF the government that there
has been single President who has denied that
power | know very well that President Polk did veto
a bill Tor that purpose bat apprebend that during his
administration he approved bill for the improvement Mt
of rivers and harbors No will question that il
because he considered that particular bill so obectiona-
bic that he vetoed But from General Washington down
,h,. day bllIa have basad upon