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

rivers their naygabilily and the amount OF eommsrcs
carried upon them. We ought 10 classify them as well
our harbors.
Suppose had commenced the system OF national de-
fences 10 the way II Is now proposed 10 carry out this
system OF Improvements II ihat mailer naa been elt 70
have wanted fort in Pennsy yana. and the Massachu-
setis would have wanted one in Massachusetts, and
80 through all the States OF the Union. But onu-
natey that subject left to scientific who knew
how 10 carry the system And what have they done
Why they have gone all over The country and selected
the places that are assalable, and defended them
That is the system that has been pursued since 1916
But we have adopted the course in relation
this subject say again that i IS impossible for any
committee with the information that have here to do
nylhng like equal justice 10 continent, like this IL is
utterly impossible. They can only act upon what has
been brought before them Tor consideration.
Mr. DAWSON. wish merely TO ask my friend from
Illinois Mr.. SHIELDsl how far up the rivers he would
have these go That is the point that want 10
have settled, | want to know what is to limit the judg.
ment of the Typographical engineers as 10 how far they
should go up these rivers in their surveys
Mr.. SHIELDS. There is one thing that have found
here and that is, that think should administer
well as legislaethat there others upon earth
competent to Judge OF these matters as we ourselves
Now, say 10 my amendment that they are TO classify
the navgabe rivers that they 10 arrange them in
three classes according to the extent OF their navigation,
and that must be decided according TO the commercial
importance of the rivers That the scope OF my amend
ment These things must be left the administrative
department of this government. We cannot pass laws
and administer them also. All that do is 10 pars
laws lndt are Capable Oh
the least liable to abuse; that all that we do
Those who administer those laws may abuse them. but
not responsible for that 9sap
Mr.. SEWARD should like to hear the amendment
MIR. SHIELDS Ipropose to strike out the appropria
ton for The survey OF the Rappahannock river. and in
sert the following: 81 $500
survey and examination Of rivers and srborr
$4,000 the survey and examination to be made BY the
Secretary War and is hereby drec,ed that the abIss
and most experienced Typographical engineers Ia the
vice OF the United States shall employed upon this duty
and that they shall be instructed arrange the navgs6o
rivers Of the country in three classes, based upon their
which they navgable; also arrange hafbo
IA three classes, based upon their commercial importance
their capacity harbors, and the general Necessity for
their Improvement and that they make probable esi
the amount necessary e render each impIoysmelt
eectua and permancnt and that the Secretary OF War
port The same, as soon as practicable, TO Congress"
That is my amendment. move TO strike GU, the ar
preparation for the Rappahannock river now, and inset
in accordance with this provision. 800 ,r5gl s-g I
Mr.. RUSK. would suggest to the honorable senator
that would be better wait until have got through
can then offer his amendment as well as now = !
Mr.. BORLAND. agree with my friend from Illinois
[Mr SHIELD>] most fully in the views he has expressed
and shall for his amendment. Bur would suggest
10 him TO modify SO that, in addition TO the con-
mercal importance OF these rivers and harbors, there
engineers be requested 10 take into consideration their n
porlance fer military and naval purposes, because thoc
purposes constitute very important element in estma-
tng The Importance OF rivers and harbors and the nece
OF IOr lDe.f improvement would
suggest to him 10 insert after the word commercial the
worls military and naval" s
Mr.. SHIELDS have no objection to that.
The PRESIDENT. Is the Chair to understand tie
question TO be upon striking out from line 1914 10 line
24s inclusive, and inserting in lieu thereof the provs
prepared BY the senator from Illinois. mr. SHIrLDsI
Mr. SHIELDS. No, sir; that is not my proposition,
do not propose 10 strike out all the amendments pro-
posed by the committee, because there amend
nents there in relation to repairs, &c. that do not wish
10 strike out My proposition is TO strike out The provis.
ION IN relation to the survey of the Rappahannock river
That will raise the question 10 whether the Senate
will strike out all the provisions in relation to surveys
OF that character and insert the general provision for
Mr.. MASON. II that amendment is adopted, sup
pose that this information Is TO be collected for the pur-
pose OF enabling the government at futufc day 10 i'm
such OF these rivers and harbos the government
may think proper 10 improve. ".at ~.
Mr. SHIELDS. Yes, sir; TO make such improve
ments as they may think rroper a.a .raE
Mr.. MASON. Such improvements are, then, to be
made the national legislature may think proper That
will necessarily be to claim jurisdiction this subject
OF a general system of internal improvements. This
proposition is TO generaze the subject, and to deter
Congress are OF sufficient magnitude and importance
be elected by the treasury OF the country The jurs-
d,ction over the subject IS conceded. We have tie
right 10 commence general system OF internal improve
ments, according to the principle of this amendment
Mr. SHIELDS. | am compelled to think 10 the
trary. man can adopt that view OF the amendment il
he pleases yet alter ALL il is only collecting statistical
information, which may be used hereafter for this put
pose or for any other purpose But il does not include
IN Itself any assumption OF jurisdiction whatever
have carefully avoided that
MIR MASON. take il for granted that the govern
ment will gather statistical information upon no subject
that IS not within the pale OF it's proper Legislation. II
this Information is TO be obtained will be upon the
concession, as view it, of the jurisdiction OF the gov
ernmeDt OF the United States this subject of inter
nal improvements. II is 10 be obtained for the purpose
OF generslizing-lor the purpose OF determining what
objects we will improve, and what will not Now,
the honorable senator from Illinois Mr. SHIELDsl and
myself are strongly commied-l mean in opinion and
ludgmentln the approaching presidential election to
certain platform and 10 that platform this jurisdiction of
The the system OF general internal i'm
proyement is expressly repudiated. tf#
Mr.. SHIELDS. did not ioresee any such objection
TO my amendment, and confess that cannot see
the force OF 1t These the public highways of
the nation. and such, in my humble opinion, we can
explore Them. And will tell the honorable senator
IRON Virginia, MIR MAsos,1 that If he wants to put
stop to this system there could be no possible method hit
upon better than 10 bring the full extent OF the expense
OF The system directly before Congress and before the
people. Now, want this information for my eva
guidance, because the system TO become such sys-
TEN as some gentlemen 10 suppose IL will be-
come, then, for one, will oppose u myself. want
10 know the facts; and how are we to know their,
except in this way that there is any con-
slitutona objection TO collecting information OF tbs
kind. confess that II were to touch upon that point
would not exactly with The Two honorable
aiors who represent the State OF Virginia [Messrs Ma
SON and HusTsRl in one thing though am not Judge
IN that case, Holding views that they do, could nj
vote Tor lilte partial apPropi and insert n
oni-'o vote Tor an appropriation that considered
sttuuonai but by putting great many such approprE
lions together could vote against Them could not 90
nj tHlth lhatV d..