The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-25

Io~Ss~NS1 -
the improvement OF places and Tor works recommended
and estimated for by the proper department Yet let me
here that OF them very Objectionable TO my
mind and do not within the rule have laid down
| 10 govern my votes.
When the bill OF the last session up for consider
alton the distinguished senator from Michigan took ex
ceplons many OF the items OF appropriation contained
and be declared that cherished principles OF the
democratic party would be compromised by It's passage
that the evil greatly overbaanced the good and that ne
could support the bill without many material amend
ments but he ayowed his willingness 10 support iair
bill. | joined the honorable senator from Michigan 10
these positions, conculng IN the general outlines OF Inc
views he then expressed But we were met by the DIS
tngush senator from Kentucky (now no more) win
the declaration and | quote his exact language-'lbat
must take the bill man takes his wlte-tor bet
ter worse the honorable senator going on TO argue
any amendment made by the Senate at that advanced
OF the session, would insure the defeat OF Inc Dill
/ in the House OF Representatives.
| said, what now repeat, will vote for no bill
tempang the Improvement OF lakes nyers harbors ana
objects generally, that do not regard strictly national
in their character To illustrate am willing TO vote lib
eral appropriations for improving the navigation OF The
Ohio and Mississippi rivers, to improve the ONO ryer
bill, say again, what said yesterday, shall ieei that
is my duty, senator from the West, to offer as an
amendment TO il bill lately reported from the COMMITTEE
on Roads and Canals, appopratng hvs hundred thou
sand dollars " for the construction OF national arsenal
armory and foundry the falls OF the Ohio river. 10
coDnexlon with public canal, Tor The use oil the army
and navy trade and commerce, and Tor the supply OIL
waterpower Tor manufacturing ordnance and arms LOT
the use OF the United States " and haer myself that
such Tor the commencement oil THIS
work will satisfy majority OF this Senate II ought
to be entered upon by the general government wihout
delay
Bu TO return There are various other rivers lakes,
harbors. &c. that can vote for the ground that the
public interest would be promoted by these
and within the much talkedof platform that gives
much trouble 10 OF our friends on the other side
of the chamber. Whether any OF the works contem
plated by the bill before outside OF the rule have
aid down. and by which govern my votes on such sub
ees be settled by the consideration alone oil their
having been estimated for by the proper department,
though admit that that fact would incline to look
fivoraby upon the appropriations recommended, as
have done in this case; and with all my anxiety TO
river and habor bill OF the right kind passed am con-
strained to say the present one is objectionable IN many
respects but do not intend to be the first TO condemn
lit This is rather important point of time to under
lake the consideration OF this question, and admit that
distrus the sincerity of gentlemen here who are
now apparently anxious for and harbors There
is presidential election pending, and there s studied
effort making TO create the impression that the democratic
lary party are opposed to the Improvement OF all
MYERS, harbors, &C. This not true There is branch
d the democratic pary-a small part OF as TO numbers,
aud among them class my honorable friends the senator's
from Virginia and South CAROL na-who oppose improve
nents constitutional ground And they are not alone
in their peculiar notions. There gentlemen OF the
whg party here-he honorable senator from Georgia is
one of hemwho, believe, concur in opinion with the
senators referred to- and who go against all improvements
large majority OF senators, however, on this floor, oil
all paries understand them acknowledge the power
of Congress make appropriations for such objects, but
differ widely 10 the extent OF that power claim 10
belong that class opposed to general system OF In
erDal improvements by the government, but willing to
improve objects clearly national their character with
out reference to whether the work works be entirely
in through more than one State While, as have
stated, am willing to vote appropriations for the Ohio,
stances, 90 for improving the Arkansas, could not,
however, vote money out OF the national treasury to I'M
ove the Cumberland, Tennessee, Wabash, or Kentucky
rivers. They do within any rule that have LAID
down TO guide me in this vast question.
/ Mr. BELL. | would like the honorable senator to
tell me WAY The Cumberland river is not national OBJ.
navipahlp milps and ssps lhrOup h
two Sa,es-Kentucky and Tennessee.
Mr. BRIGHT. could not vote money out OF the
national treasury TO improve the Cumberland rver, be-
cause am unwilling 10 this government launch out
into general system OF Improvements, must be the
case if the precedent be established OF applying money
on rivers all over the United States having more
commerce and travel upon them than the Cumberland
has And, again. because unknown as TO commerce
and travel compared with either Of the rivers have
pressed willingness TO go for. know, Mr. President
the great difficulty in this matter Is to set proper lntelll-
gbe limits legislation; and until some plan is adopted
whereby system be introduced and economy Observed
believe it would be better not 10 act at all But did not
rise to make speech In my attempt 10 set my frend
the honorable senator from Georgia. right to his facts,
have been led on until have occupied more time than
| intended.
MI DAWSON. The point that have made has not
been changed at all by The argument OF the honorable
senator from Michigan, lMr. CAssl He says that he
does any amendment made TO this bill, because
If it goes back to the House it will be lost.
Mr.. CASS. gave another reason.
\ Mr.. DAWSON Yes, sir; but one reason is enough,
il 1t is good one. But he stands pledged against any
amendment OF whatever character and will against
4 all amendments.
! MIR CASS 1 never had the least idea that the SEN
ate had constitutional difficulty in respect to any specific
appropriation in the bill Ii any such Appropriation is
contained in il, will vote against III intended TO vote
against all such appropriations, II anysuch were found
Mr. DAWSON. Then, can necessity OF ma
king this test question. II senator's by the vote they
aIe now to give against this amendment not TO be
considered under any obligation 10 vote against other
improvements, then why all this discussion And was
right in my conception OF this matter. i fet myself
bound, in point OF fact, IL majority OF this Senate had
decided TO have no amendments, 10 vote with them.
But is said that there is appropriation in this bill
which has not been estimated Tor by the department
here the reports TO prove that facl Has any
port accompanied this immense bill, especially in ref
erence 10 It's constitutional principles, TO show the
acti Am be told by the honorable senator from In
diana [Mr BRIerl that all these appropriations es
mated lori Where doe she get his information Now, this
/ have before the report OF Colonel Totten, of the
Typographical engineers upon this subject, submitted in
1870 From that the honorable senator from Michigan
j Mr. CAss makes out an abstract, in WHICH he says
that
department 81 035 900 the included in this bill
before the Senate 81 1877 000-being beyond the
densnds OF the department of 32 600 And how this
excess created First by the addition OF various
had stated the needed, and which additions
are made by the action Of the committee upon their
yarying from $685. case,
other bat producing aggregate OF 324
OOO.n
He says that he is speaking OF the appropriations OF the
last year there was 900 added to the which
the department said they needed. Again, he says: