The daily union., 1852-05-14


OF the work to bring 10 the District OF Columbia the
mineral resources OF the States oil Virginia and Maryland
Now, cannot why should not be right In the es-
iimaon OF every one inasmuch this work was orgi-
nally commenced by the recommendation OF the federal
government under the auspices OF The federal govern
meni and under an appropriation py Tue federal govern
government that she would go with Maryland and Vlr-
gina in the prosecution OF this great work, one OF the
greatest that has been prosecuted IN the world and
when Maryland has expended ten millions of dollars,
and the whole OF this expenditure viii be rendered par
TALLY useless unless this Improvement IS made--under
all these circumstances, say do not see how there
be objection in the mind OF any one TO having this
survey and estimate made by the officers OF this govern
ment for the purpose Of asceraning whether depot can
be made for the reception OF this trade after have al
ready expended many millions OF dollars to bring to
that point
The only other objection offered by the honorable
tor from Wisconsin that he cannot why these OFF,
GERS OF the United Satesthese Typographical engineers
should require appropriation IN order to enable them to
do what otherwise il would be their duty 10 do. eso
luton passed this body time since requiring the Sec
reiary OF War 10 report such an estimate upon an APP
plica,ion upon the part OF the Committee the District
funds Of which ,h bad s hs control which
would enable the typographical engineers to make this
survey, and that some small approprationthe amount
OF 81 200 mentionedwould be absolutely necessary
enable the Secretary OF War 10 carry out the requsiton
OF tins resolution hope therefore, that my friend from
Wisconsin will withdraw all objection TO the passage OF
this bill so that may have from the proper depart
ment report and estimate of the Of this basin for
the reception OF this immense trade Idothink, Mr. Pres
den that justice requires that the general government
should do something oad the States OF Virginia and Mary
land who were induced by the federal government ogi-
nally to enter into this enterprise The federal govern
men backed out OF it, and left these States to prosecute
it alone. As have stated, Maryland has already
pended ten millions of dollars the work, after il had
been originally commenced under the auspices OF the
general government II there ever was case where i
was especially required that the federal government
should act in good faith, it seems TO that this is one;
| and hope the Senate will pass the bill
Mr.. WALKER. Mr.. President, the secret OF this mat
no hat haa frpnS
honorable senator from Maryland when he said that the
government was under tacit implied pledge TO aid
ihs work Well SIR, must confess II does seem TO me
that the government never can Congress never can
speak about any matter but what there at fastened
upon il pledge for expenditures an unlimited amounts
the completion Of the project Now, sir, we can
see plainly what this will lead TO- If Congress comes
forward and takes this further step by making this
survey and estimate for this work, why, OF course,
we shall have 10 appropriate the money necessary
to construct this basin. That, matter OF course,
follows, Tor The same reason as his; and II the
purpose of calling forth appropriation for the
Ivey and estimate under consideration, il that
ing is concusive for better will be the duty
OF the government to make an appropriation for the
construction OF this basin after the survey and estimate
shall have been made should like TO know. sir, If
bare survey and estimate OF this basin is 10 cost twelve
hundred dollars, what, in the name OF common sense,
is the construction OF the work TO cost l want little
more Information on the matter. t
Mr. SHIELDS. II the honorable senator will permit
me 10 explain the chairman of the committee who
ported this BILL will state that after making the most
ample inquiries have found that there recepta
Gle necessary there in order to prevent the boats from
passing down 10 Alexandria, with their coal and other
tices OF consumption; and such basin would
rly confer great benefit upon the city Of Washington
of the basin, whether will be large or small we now
want 10 ascertain that fact When The information is
ceived, il will be matter wholly within power
can either refuse TO construct it, make such with
the authorities OF Georgetown fit. The object
OF this proposition is simply 10 ascertain the nature and
character OF the structure will state further, that the
( bureau TO whom we referred upon this subject,
gave us in reply this nformaiion--hat 10 make such
an examination as we wanted, they would be obliged
TO bore the ground, and would have 10 employ some
iaborers and go to some little EXPENSE and that they
could not make any such estimate would be salts
factory TO US, and upon which could act lnellgeny,
without this additional expense The OF 81 200 was
mentioned; but as understand, it may not cost two
hundred dollars may amount 10 three four hum
dred dollars We cannot tell what the expense will be,
but we know that some expense necessary order 10
get this Information and this survey When comes
shall know more about the matter ALI that the senator
from Wisconsin now says may be true but at the present
me we have not information enough TO decide upon the
matter. What we want is this: 10 ascertain the nature
and cost OF the proposed sructue and that information
think we can get for few hundred dollars. do not
think necessary TO waste the time OF the Senate by any
further remarks at present
MIR. WALKER. That we have no information, Mr..
Presidents very evident and am happy to be informed
that we are under no obligation TO construct this work.
But there are some things about this matter which
am uncertain, There are some people in this world,
ana some IN tne United STATES, VINO have lille
bltion to do something for themselves. Here are two
cities on this fatiron piece OF and and every cit-
zen and every business in them is interested, il
possible, more than the whole citizens OF the whole
country put together, in the promotion of commerce
here Yet sir, we find that at former period, when they
made some subscription towards this work, Congress
assumed IL and now the last thing that wanted is
formation about the construction OF basn and the peo-
pie will not condescend do that for themselves
do not believe 10 this obligation Of Congress to take this
matter into its own hands and when we shall have got
this information, as before remarked, il is perfectly
dent from the course OF argument here that the govern
ment will be expected 10 take step sh further, and
construct this work. The senator from Illinois says il
may not cost more than two hundred dollars but the
principle would be the same whether il cost two hun.
dred dollars or twelve hundred But sir, there is the
appropriation OF 81 200 and doubt very much whether
case can be found in the history OF this government
where appropriation for such object has exceeded
or gone beyond the actual expenditure. That is the
amount which was deemed necessary, and there s no
fear but II will be expended, sir
believe, MIR. President that the way 10 keep down
w ashlngton city and the way TO keep down George.
town. in commercial point OF view, is for Congresso
be continually making these appropriations and leaving
them nothing 10 do. And, when make appropri-
aons they very rarely expended for the purpose for
which make them They seem TO think that II they
for which II s bestowed there will be expend-
iures made Tor the benefit OF the District Some years
since we made an appropriation OF thirteen thousand
dollars Tor the Improvement OF Indiana and
Irresponsible citizen of Maryland one who could give
responsible security forward and proposed lake
the work Tor the appropriation. Well, sir the Comms.
sloner OF Public Budingsnot the present one-think ng
that he could do il for less than the appropriation let The
contract out by the day. and things went on in that way
and made approptiaon after from