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


meni of the Committee on Commerce, which was TO mod
ify the following clause
.For opening ship channel, of sufficient capacity
vearnt pass leading from ihe Mississippi river the
Gulf of Mexico $4,000 And il shall be the day OF the
said shp-channel by contract and early day in the
next session of Congress 10 report said contract the pro,
gess said work, and an estimate OF the annual cost oil
Keeping said channel open, ..r
by striking out the words to report said contract, and
an estimate OF the annual cost OF keeping SAID channel
open 4" and inserting in lieu thereof the iooWiGg
.To report tho progress of the work, the amount
sa complete il and IN estaate Of the annual cost Of
Keeping said channel open; and any made shall
be limlled the amount hereby appropriated" 7s
The question was taken on the amendment by yeas
and nays, and resulled-yeas 81 nays 13-as follow
YEAS-Messrs. Adams, Atcbison, BayaId. Bell. Brad.
pessussare Dodge Of Wisconsin, Douglas FISH Fool,
Gwin Hunter Jones OF Teanes'ee, kng, Mallory. Man
Shields smith, Scale, sp,uaoce. Sumner, Toucey, Un-
derwood, Upham. and Wade-37.
sebastian,and WaIker-is
So the amendment agreed to.
The xt amendment OF the committee 10 insert in
the bill The following
"For a survey Of the Rappahannock. river, Virginia.
So oOo."
Mr. CASS. On the subject OF these surveys desire
10 say single word The amount proposed for surveys
as the bill came from the House of Representatives and
the committee propose to amend it, is, in all, about
$4,000 Including S5 900 for survey OF the falls of the
0oO Now, The old standing appropriation for such pur
poses used to be about $4,000 annuay-no however,
designating The localities. but leaving discretionary with
the department to direct where the surveys should be
made The operation OF the thing under that mode was.
that large portion OF the expense OF the surveys was
betrayed by The people in the locality in which they
made; aud by this means the appropriation of $500
was made to DO the work OF perhaps 100000. In look
ng into this bill il stand. you will small and
distinct appropriations oil $4,000 $1,000 for surveys Of
rivers and small harbors cannot understand why the
amounts TO be appropriated 1t seems me il would
be great deal beller and great deal larer 10 take
fixed sum for these surveys generally and thus, as
formerly, make appropriation Of $4,000 $40 900 for
surveys leaving the department to do justice TO The
parts of the country and thus enabling them to do
the work OF 100000; for the sections OF country
where these works wanted are always ready TO fur
nish persons and aid very much in the work. In that
case, TO me, the amount would be fairly
distributed than if il directed merely four, or fve
or eix, seven specified rivers and hafbors OF
which, tar as can see, has any kind OF claim
Mr. DAVIS. All these were inserted without
taking the opinion of the board OF typographical engi
neers at all 10 regard other localities The sums
which have been recommended TO the committee for The
localities named have been inserted. Some OF them
perhaps too large. They made large enough to
cover the probable expense. The precise amount re-
aured in each the department could not foresee
presume that the amount proposed will not be exhausted
in all Of these The senator from Michigan will
that the head OF The Typographical engineers has
been applied make estimates for particular places
He may have information 10 regard to the amounts
necessary, or he may have none lie makes as good an
estimate as he can for each place.
Mr. CASS ] understand il perfectly. The head of
the opog raphca Office asked TO make out estimate
for survey at given place, and he makes IL out
eordingly He might have been asked to give his opin-
ion in regard the amount necessary for hundred
for thousand different places, and he would have given
it, but that opinion would not indicate that these places
should have a preference others. object 10 the
amounts and the way they are put into the bill Here is
appropriation OF say n, 900 for survey OF small
harbor mentioned in the bill IL for that particular
place. and cannot be applied TO any other; whereas if
you put in general appropriation Tor surveys you en-
able them 70 go on and determine what s best to be done
stands and you will find il loaded with small places TO
be surveyed and il these surveys lead TO further
appropriations Is giving TO these places an undue pref
MIR SEWARD This subject was brought to the at
tenon OF the Committee Commerce by an application
for amendment TO this bill 10 make appropriation
for improvement o this river. There was no recon-
mendalion for any improvement and the Committee on
Commerce consulted the department IN regard 10 The ex
pediency OF such appropriation The board OF topo
graphical engineers advised that survey was desfa
Bile; that there much merit in the proposed
Improvement that tdescved 10 be taken into consdera
ton and they recommended a survey. Why, then not
adopt the recommendation OF the department. and apply
the money specifically TO that pufDosei There is none
much for these surveys IN the aggregate and II we
should throw all these sums into one mass. the board OF
typographical engineers would be al liberty to apply that
money for other objects than those for which the CON-
mitee desirous to provide and 70 take the neces
sary for providing Tor. II 10 that this
is the principle which ought 10 act and srpro.
pnae large sum to be dsburseda the discretion OF the
board OF typographical engineers, for the purpose OF
makirg surveys for Improvements that might be
brought before the notice OF Congress And, besides
that the committee understand that the board OF topo-
graphical engineers desirous OF being relieved from
the responsibility OF deciding In regard 10 conflicting
claims for surveys by having Congress indicate what
particular improvements they shall direct their atten.
ton.
hope therefore that the amendment OF the commit
Tee will be adopted.
Mr. DAWSON. would be glad il the chairman Of
the Committee on Commerce would send TO the table OF
the Secretary the eslte from the proper Department.
the letter jusiying the committee in inserting this
know how il was obtained and the extent TO which IT
goes II the committee has II, the Senate desire TO
see i-at least | do. H#
Mr. ADAMS. The amendment now under considoTa.
ion involves the question OF the power OF the govern
msnt and bad intended when this bill came up Tor
Consideration TO submit MY views both IN relation 10 we
power OF the government over this s. stem of internal m
pIovements which II is proposed 10 carry out and
so IN regard 10 the merits OF the bill now under consid
erson But the bill has up at so late day OF the
session when there much for Congress TO act upon,
10 many matters which OF the highest importance TO
ms counfy, That cannot consistently with my views OF
n e ooi'saohs resting upon me esa senator upon ths
oo ~ ference 10 this business, consent 10 consume the
me oi we senate 10 discussing the merits OF Tins b as
Iu'iy As would wish Relieving however, as do, that
ms ohy the commencement OF system which s des-
uneo 20 grow WIN very great rapidy, and to swallow up
and destroy az opposition 10 IT, and that within very
snort ume-beevng, also, do that this is the most
important poposlon which mas been ofefe during this
session OF congress- both in regard 10 The constitution and
The consequences 10 the country az affects our lepisa
tonl trust shall be excused Il yeninr. 10 irespass so
lar as TO state the grounds OF my objections shall only