The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-27

view TO purchase popularity at home by securing an ap-
propriaon aud every effort is directed to this end
Is not this most corfupung influence The vote on
bill appropnalng money for particular localities al once
determines the question OF future reelection or eec-
ton. and therefore. dare investigate sdeh bill
with that degree OF mpartlaly which should be exer-
clsed lie would not dare 10 vote against IT,
| have very honorable opinion OF my fellow men.
believe they would act fairly under all circumstances,
when is possible for them TO do but have no.dea
thai, under such system, will be apt 10 adopt The
prayer OF HIM who spake as never man spake " Lead
us not into temptation say that every one who has
spent any time in legislative body knows the fact 10 DC
so-knows that no system of legislation has ever been
presented which is likely to exercise corruping in
fuence on the human mind the system OF internal inn
provements The expression may be harsh but every
one knows IL 10 be literally correct Present all these
questions separately, examine them individual appro
priations, on their own merits, and how many would
pass Propose an appropriation Tor the benefit OF my
constituents and how vote against it, and meet
them afterwards! Or, in other words, how am to give
vestigalion which il wouli otherwise received Every
senator on this floor knows that this is OF the effects
OF the system and appeal to them TO make attempt
10 dam up this torrent OF corruption which is contami
mating everything within its reach
Sir the appropriations made by the federal government
or rather the benefits deryabe from those appropriations,
are greatly overratcd Whenever you appropriate money
through the federal government Tor any section OF the
country you contanlnate that community on the instant
Not only do you confer on them no good but you inct
on them positive injury. Leave the control of these
Internal improvements as the constitution intended.
Leave those who are interested 10 them to furnish the
money, as the constitution intended thew should. and
then they will it honestly and fairly appropriated
How any conceive that any other system is more
correct how any one can offer opposition TO this portion
OF the constitution and adopta system that is wholly op
posed 10 II, is 10 me passing strange.
But am going further into the subject than intend
ed will not dea'n the Senate further than TO say tina!
in connexon with this subject, and although perhaps
am not strictly in order, my friend from Maryland in
speaking OF the powers OF the government the other day
said he could see difference between speaking of the
Of puhlc land ando nj ratin
money from the treasury. Now, while this subject oil
appropratng money is under consideration, would beg
leave to call the attention OF the Senate marked dis
tinciion Congress has the power to levy money and 10
appropriate according to the powers granted in the
stution. But can any one say that il is necessary in
carrying out that provision of the constitution to make
the appropriations which asked for by this bill
The power conferred upon Congress with regard 10 the
public land is altogether different The power of the
government the public lands is unlimited. These
lands may be disposed Of by Congress in just such
ner Congress believes will be conducive 10 the best
interests of the whole people You may give these lands
away if you think proper 10 do II, in the opinion Of
the Congress of the United States. the best interests o
the country will be promoted by that course. they would
be justhel by the constitution in following it,
/ In voting for the bill OF my friend from Michigan,
[Mr. CAss,l did SO believing that in this appropriation
The government was making speculation iha! by the
10 The government would be increased in value and be.
leve that the persons who increase the value Of land
ought to be entitled TO the benefit Well sir, under the
system OF alternate sections the government derives a
benefit There is comparison between the two
in my opinion. They have unlimited power in the one
case, and are restricted in the other.
Now, Mr. President, before close these desuory
marks, must pay my respects 10 the senator from New
Hampshire [Mr. HALE,] who am sorry do not see il
his seat will be ecolecied that yesterday he called upor
the Senate to exercise great caution how they went fol
system of internal improvements be stated that he hat
not read this bill, and yet he said he would vote for
without having il: in other words, that he woult
ego it in the dark" am inclined TO think that the pro-
ceedngs OF the late convention have given that
fondness for dark subjects He said he had
al. H.. -
his State would not derive any benefit from these ap
preparations, he was willing under his enlightened view
OF phanhophy to do justice 10 his constituents for the
benefit OF other sections of The country That is not my
case trust shall always be ready justice every
section OF the country alike. No bill can be passed
which will operate in perfect justice to every portion o
the United Siaes but whenever you present any ques
lion that does potpobie injustice TO any portion OF thu
people OF the Uniied States whether they my con
sttuents the constituents OF others, will not fol
it, The senator from New Hampshire says that the
thing is wrong that his constituents pay their proper
ton OF the taxes and yet they to derive benefit
Notwithstanding that, however, he is ready 10 vote fo
the BILL My constituents get nothing YET | care moi
Tor that. l might have been tempted but that is nc
temptation; and il only serves means TO show III,
injustice and inequality of this bill.
MIR. President, have, perhaps, detained The Senat,
too long-certanly much longer Than had intended
designed TO express my views, and the reasons why
not vote for this BILL very briefly; and If, under the cir
Icumsances, have occupied more time than should
can only apologize by saying that will not trespass
again in similar manner during the present session
i Mr.. CASS. was about TO move, and will now move
to strike out the specific appropriations for surveys, in
order 10 insert provision for $4,000 as general ap.
preparation.
The PRESIDING OFFICER, (Nlr Foor in the chair ]
The question upon the amendment OF the Commit
on Commerce to insert the following
"For a survey of the RappahannOck river, Virginia,
5000"
/ Mr. CASS. move to amend that by striking out all
after the word "lor" and inserting general appropria
ton OF o00 TO be expended upon the surveys OF such
rivers and harbors the Secretary OF War may desg
nate. do this with view afterwards to strike out al
the specific appropriations for surveys. The whole
amount for specific surveys, excepting the appropriation
OF 5000 for survey OF the falls OF the Ohio. which
proessedy with view 10 peculiar survey connected
with canal and arsenal there, the whole amount is
States OF this Union have the whole OF that d.
vded among them, of which Massachusetts, gets $40 500
New York 1920, Maine 81 500. New Jersey S2,50O,
Virginia SO 00O South Carolina 900, Louisiana 500
and one other State, making up the whole amount.
Now, ask, is IT not vastly iaer TO make general APP
preparation OF $50 ,000 and let the money be divided
equally and hold the department responsible for it, than ii
is TO divide 1t in this way, and set precedent for dis
tribung improvements hereafter among eight States
says that the War Department applied to for this
survey OF the Rappahannock. have doubt OF that.
But | suppose somebody asked the committee to apply
| for it.
| Mr. SEWARD Exactly So
Mr. CASS. That is what thought in the beginning.
Gentlemen have gone TO the committee and Indicated this
object and that and the other and thus happens that the
appropriations for surveys distributed among eight
States. giving those eight Siaes the preference hereafter
ing unfair AS said before. If you give the $40 900 10
the depa expended in general surveys will