The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-19

thai induces them 10 continue it, Therefore the others
must pay H. Every man who raises a barrel OF
wheat. order 10 get TO ket with il will have TO pay
-four duties upon before his produce reaches
the city of New Yorktha is, if each place leyies The
tax, In short, levied almost altogether by the state q
New York upon the produce OF all the country norm
and west OF New York. So il strikes me al present
That is the bearing that il seems 10 me 10 nave ana
that Is all thai have 10 say 10 the Senate upon he SUD
Jec now. ~.
Mr. SMITH regard the proposition which we have
before us as a most extraordinary one regard, also,
the speech which has been delivered by Inc senator from
Illinois [Ar DoUoLAsl equally extraordinary and
also regard the suggestion made by The senator IRON
Michigan [Bir CASH. that subject OF such vast i'm
porance should be permitted TO go to The country win
speech only on one side, as one IN which the members
OF this body should by no means acq uiesce
Mr.. CASS Will The senator from CONNECTICUT permit
10 say word
Mr. SMITH. Certainly, sir
Mr. CASS. II is this: the American people under
stand the subject WELL that there is necessity 10
say a single word TO them in regard 10 it.
Mr. SMITH. think that this last suggestion OF the
senator it understood him Alright, pays very poor COM
plimeni TO the senator from Illinois, Mr.. DoU0LAs
understood the senator from Michigan TO say that the
alor from Illinois had made very learned, and very
able speech and had brought together great many i'm.
poant facts and further, that this very important
question | understood. him to compliment the senator
from Illinois for his efforts this occasion and also
understood him 10 say that he wished the people through
out the country might have an opportunity OF consider
ing The subject during the recess. WE'LL intend that the
people shah consider il intend that the people OF the
Northwest and Southwest shall consider it; intend that
the people Of Illinois, and in short of the whole country
shall consider it, intend TO bring distinctly before the
people OF the Northwest ands Southwest the question
whether such an extraordinary scheme khis shall De
brought into the Senate chamber witsy-smpunity or
whether il should be received here with any degree OF
favor
And must now express some degree Of surprise that
proposition novel IN lis character and so sweeping
in its Effects should be submitted at this late period OF
the session. and surprise that the senator should at
tempt TO attach it TO the river and harbor bla measure
OF infinite importance to this country. maintain II
should have been offered separate and independent
proposition MAINTAIN, sir, that measure OF such I'M
porance should have been referred 10 one OF the stand
ing committees OF this body, in order that il might
ceve grave and serious considerations grave con-
sideraon upon the substance OF the proposition, and
equally grave upon The details. But instead OF taking
that course, the senator before with concocOn
OF his own mind and OF his own judgment, and under.
takes 10 support that proposllion-how by Islander and
abuse OF the officers OF the corps OF Typographical engi-
neers and by holding them up the country totally
competent 10 discharge their duties and to carry into ef
feel this system OF harb0r and river improvements After
completing has denuncaton OF the officers OF the army,
he turns round and finishes by Remuneration of the Two
houses of Congress He says that bill OF this sort
and progate combination Sir according TO his account
OF the matter would suppose he had, during the
whole period OF his congressional life, been embarked in
the transaction OF the public business in the midst OF
den OF thieves Sir there is not the slightest excuse for
INDUCING IN such train of remarks-here apology
for the abuse which he has poured the officers of
tie army. or on the two houses OF Congress believe
there is still some rectude left here. believe there is
some honor and some OF right and OF duty to be
Mr.. DOUGLAS. Does the senator from Connecticut
intend that should charge this to the account of the
river and harbor bill. to the lecture that read him
Mr. Smith. The senator from Illinois had better
remain quiet in his seat He has undertaken TO make
speeches during the present canvass in twenty eight
States Of this Union / will undertake to find employ
ment enough for him in the State Of Illinois.
Mr. DOUGLAS am very much obliged to you, sir
MIR. SMITH have said all that | intend to say on
the present occasion with regard the extraordinary
manner in which this question has been brought before
US, and the extraordinary aempt TO ngra il on the bill
beioe the Senate, when every member OF this body must
know the senator from Illinois does, that the moment
il is ngrafed the bill is annihated.
But, sir. let US attend 10 the line OF argument which
the senator has pursued and TO the character of his
proposition in constitutional point OF view. | believe
that the amendme, which the senator has submitted
unconstitutional throughout BY The third clause, sec
ton o. article LIST OF yhe constitution of the United
States, provided that State shall, without the
consent OF Congress- lay any duty Of Tonnage; keep
troops or ships OF time Of peace enter into any
agreement compact with another State, or with for
egn power; engage in unless actually invaded
or IN such imminent danger will not admit OF delay"
Now. the amendment proposed by the senator can
bnd no warrant IN the constitutions unless 1t be in the
clause here cited And what the propositions which he
puts forward 10 the amendment They are--l. That
Congress consents that each State may empower the
iboes OF cities and within its limits levy du
hes OF tonnage not exceeding ten cents per ton upon
boats and vessels Of every description entering the hsr
Dor OF waters OF any such tho funds derived
ihererom 10 be applied exclusively the improvement OF
the same and higher duties be charged than
sary Tor the purposes specified Also Cosgross consents
that The several States bordering the lakes either OF
ihem any two OF said States, may by compact
with each other, improve the navigation of such laSes
either oil them, ana OF the channels connecting them
geiher and TO that end may divert portion OF the
duties, not exceeding four per ton collected al
the towns and cities within the States entering into the
compact and may collect tolls Sufficient to defray the ex.
pense oil keeping repair any canal artificial commu-
ncauon constructed Tor the purpose above specified 3
Also, where any naygsble river water is situated
wholly or IN pat within the limits OF any State the egs-
laura thereof may provide for the Improvement of the
navigation OF so much OF the is within such
State BY the levy OF duties of tonnage, not exceeding
cents per ton, 10 be applied exclusively the object here
expressed; and, Where such wafer is situated
between two or more States, such States, any number
the navigation thereof by The levy of duties OF tonnage
not TO exceed the already specified, and be ap
pied exclusively to the object specified. Such is the
substance OF the amendment proposed briefly expressed
apparent that the honorable senator coniempiae The
overthrow OF The existing system OF harbor and river
Improvements by the general government. and the subs
tuition IN lieu thereof of improvements by cities OF towns
by single States, and by combination OF two
states. Is such scheme this constitutional Let
attend to its different paris
The senator first proposes that Congress shall consent
that State % may authorize the public authorities OF
ANY city town within It's limits TO levy duties of ton
mage 10 The amount and Tor the purpose indicated Now,
the constitution authorizes ench proceedings. Ac-
codng 10 the clause already referred TO- the STATE is 10
pass act laying the duty oil tonnage which ~ 10
become valid on receiving the sanction OF Congress"
But what docs the senator propose Not that Con-
gress should give assent TO law passed by State
levying tonnage duties, but that should sanction act
N ko ht Gfll. fsttit