The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-21
CONGRESSIONAL.
DEEERnEp DEBATE.
TUESDAY, AUGUST II, 1852.
[IE coSTlNUArIoS.l

sAuLT DE STE. MARIE CANAL.

Fs44 sAuLT DE STE MARIE CANAL.
Mr.. FELCH / now renew my motion that the Senate
proceed 10 The consideration OF the unfinished business oil
Yesterday which is the bill for the construction of the
Sault de Ste. Marie canal tt fa.aaa
The PRESIDENT. q Ii is the unfinished business OF
yesterday and therefore the first special order OF day
Bat the Chair does understand that the special orders
come up regularly unjl one o'clock The Chair, there
tore, will put the question upon posponng the prior or
ders for the purpose Oi taking up the bill indicated
The question being then TAKEN the prior orders were
posponsd and the Senate resumed the consideration as
in committee of the whole OF Senate bill Tor the con-
sructon OF canal around the falls OF 81, Mary's.
The PRESIDENT stated that when the bill was last
under conslde ration the Senate adjourned pending the
consideration OF an amendment proposed by MI ATcHi.
the words hundred and hltyn in the second sec
ton OF the BILL 10 make il read Tor the purpose
OF aiding said State in constructing and completing said
canal seven hundred and fifty thousand acres OF the pub
Mr. SMITH Mr. President, desire TO say few
words 10 the Senate The subject OF appropatng lands
to aid The State OF Michigan constructing this canal
and perhaps may well say them now al any time
voted the first session OF the last Congress for bill
of this character, but had not at that time any rarcu
lar information on the subject. acted upon considera
tons and views such have governed course, both
as a member of the House and OF the Senate, in support
ing appropriations OF The public lands TO aid the Sates
where the lands situated, in works of internal i'm
provsment believe that TO be sound principle OF poll
icy 10 be pursued with respect to the public lands; and if
hou. that this canal could be executed by the State
of Michigan by appropriation OF 100000 OF
75o 900 acres, within reasonable period should
III
dent, and at any rate in favor OF the original bill
should in favor OF such cesson Of the public lands
exactly the grounds which induced me 10 support the
cssson of alternate sections of public land to aid in the
construction of the great Central railroad through the
State of illinois, and various other bills which have
passed the Senate both at the last and present sessions
But this subject owing 10 circumstances TO which am
about TO advert, situation that is what pecu
liar and think can satisfy the Senate that the State OF
Michigan cannot construct the canal though aided with
in such period OF time is required sell them al
auction at any price. She might III that way raise funds
enough--say $500 o00o enable her enter upon and
execute the work. But if we merely TO grant her
the lands 10 the amount specified in the original bill.
10 the amount named by my friend from Missouri,
Ib1r ATCHIsoN demonstrate that the State
cut mat canal within any period short OF some ten or
The senator from Illinois [Mr DouGLAs] told the SEN
yesterday that make this grant OF 100000
The Stale itself cut the canal and only so but
that could be done in shorter period than would be
accomplished by the appropriation OF money by the gene
raj government thought that that very extra
ordinary view OF the subject Ii think it is little
eXtavagan 10 render il necessary for 10 make any
particular remarks upon on the present occasion.
have nothing TO say here in regard TO the important
distraction between the construction OF this work by the
general government--in which the canal would be
made free canaland lis ucton by the State gov
ernmen OF property and MEANS in the form of land 10
be furnished 10 the State by the general government.
clothing the State government with the power of laying
any OF burden may choose upon the commerce
which may pass through this channel of communication
This distinction, in my humble judgment, between free
canal, canal substantially free, 10 be constructed by
the general government, and canal to be constructed by
The State out OF the 10 be furnished by the general
government she at The same time TO be invested with
the power oil laying any amount OF burden she may see
hi 10 levy upon the commerce which passes through IT,
is veIy important distinction; and regret very much
that II dad not have more prevailing effect upon ibe
judgment OF the Senate than II did IN the vote which
they yesterday upon The amendment OF the senator
from Michigan, Mr. FELcHl
Before bsnd this amount OF public property over to
the State OF Michigan IL becomes important for us 10
slider what the State can do with it, Can she take II
kanI IN bp,ly pf epn
having corporate poweIs-who will enter upon the exc
cuton OF the work, and who will be induced by ces
sion the State OF such an immense amount OF property
10 undertake its execution Can The State, inquire OF
the Senate execute the work through the agency OF
corporate body. 10 be created by the eglsatuTes Can
the work be executed by the State :self In order 10
settle these questions IT becomes necessary 10 recur TO the
present constitution OF Michigan have bsiore me cer
tain extracts from that constitution, 10 which invite
the particular attention OF the Senate:
Com,titation Of Michigan. rsvistd 1850
Arr 14-FrSAScE AND TAXATION.
"sso s. The State may contract debts deficits
an revenues Such debts shalt not aggregate, at any
one tme exceed $4,000 The moneys raised shall be
applied 10 the purposes which they were obtained or 10
sss .r,' payment Of ihe debts 50 conIsced
SEc 4 The Slate may contract debts to repel inva.
sions suppress nspuecons OF defend the STATE in time
OF war The money arising from the contracting OF such
debts shalt be applied 70 the purpose Tor which IL was
"sKc g. No money shall be paid out Of the treasury,
except n ~ so as .a "o ~ e granted to
ori aid OF any person, association or corporation.
spc No scrip, certfcse, other evidence OF State
shalt be issued except for the redemption oI
stock previously issued for such debts expressly
authorized ip this constitution.
"Src 3 The State shall not subscrbe 10 or be inter
eted in the siock Of any company association or corpora
lion.
asso o The State shall not be party interested
in work Of internal improvement nor engaged 10 car
grants the State OF land or other property
ARrrcLE i5-CoRPoRArIos
CSC l. Corporations may bo formed under general laws;
but shall not be created by special act except iof munc
pal purposes All laws passed pursuant this section may
be altered, amended or repealed"
may as well in this place notice this last provision
legislature OF the State shall have power
corporation to build this canal No special act Of incor
poraon shall be passed BY the Legislature Tor any pur
pose whatever, but they may make general incofpora.
ton law bat how Suppose they do make such law,
authorizing individuals TO associate themselves together
for the purpose o building canals and railroads. or under
taking other works OF internal improvement what does
this article OF the constitution say That every general
Incorporation las shall be subject TO be altered, repealed
amended any time, The pleasure OF the general
assembly Of the State. But the State OF Michigan has
made such general incorporation law, VIII venture
70 say unless IL s law for plank roads believe they
nave general corporation law for that purpose But
90 not understand That the State has authorized any cor
Ioaos But suppose they have what does this article OF
ihe constitution sayl Ii says that the law. whatever
may oe may be altered, amended or repealed, AZ any
nme' a lhe pleasure OF the general assembly Suppose
tney come forward and make such a general law au-
tnozlng ,he citizens of the State OF the country to
aseociae themselves together build this canal, or other
canals Wnal capitalist earth would advance dollar