The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-22

SENATE
lee Of the whole the bill making appropriations for the
Improvement OF certain habors and ryers-
TONNAGE DUTIES TO BE LEVIED BY THE STATES.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Mr.. President | have sat here
the whole day. not opening my mouth on the SUBJECT OF
his BILL although think could demonstrate, from the
which have been made here, that il the gov
smment OF the United States concede TO the States
the power OF collecting money upon tonnage, to be ex-
pended in improving rivers and harbos, this government
ran do the same thing itself II do by itself what il
can do by others But will not take up the time OF the
Senate in arguing that proposition wish 10 say TO the
friends OF the bill that il we wish TO pass il at all we
must moi consume time in talking. would say 10 my
friend from Mississippi in all kindness, that my past ex-
nerepce here is such that il those who oppose
determined not lei us vote, they will kill the measure
by speaking have not spoken and on that account.
want 10 vote and do hope we shall stay here and try
vote [ do not wish 10 prevent any gentleman from
offering his amendment far be it from me TO do any such
thing II they will only let me vote within reasonable
time after they offer their amendments it is all ask
Mr. CHARLTON have an amendment which de-
sire TO offer the amendment proposed by the honorable
senator from Illinois but have inclination TO make
speech upon it, can sympathze very deeply with my
honorable friend from Kentucky, when he says he has
not opened his mouth to-day, either in speaking
10 him and me. [Laugher.l shall not make speech
on the subject unless il becomes necessary offer my
amendment for the protection OF the seaport OF Savannah
My amendment is 10 insert In the th'rd section OF the
amendment OF the senator from Illinois the ollowng
"Propided That nothing herein contained shalt be
srued prevent the State Of Georgia from providing or
the laying any tonnage duty for the purposes Aforesaid
exceeding cents per ton aforesaid, upon vessels
boats navigating the Savannah flver; which power
hereby expressly conferred upon The said State Georgia i
that II shall read
"In all cases where any navgabIe river may
be situated in part form the boundary Of any two
more States Congress hereby that such Sates
any number them through their nt action, by agree
and pact with each other, may provide for the
Improvement Of the navigation Of such
and for as purpose lay duties Of tonnage exceed
ing ten per upon all boats and vessels
the same Propdsi That nothing herein shall be
construed prevent The State OF Georgia" &c.
Mr. DESAUSsURE. There may be some difficulty
in relation TO that amendment My friend IRON Georgia
had the kindness submit it to me beiote he offered
and it appears TO that there may he difficulty
The amendment OF the senator from Illinois provides
thai where river between two States the must
be common power The amendment to the amendment
proposed by my friend from Georgia is 10 invest that
right OF laying tonnage duties the river Savannah
the State OF Georgia, independent oi he wD oil me ad
joining State. Il may all be very right and IL uSy pro-
duce no ham. do not know that il would. But YET |
believe that | can foresee in which there might
be collision OF Interests For example High up The
Savannah river is The town Of Augusta, upon The Geor.
gla side and Immediately opposlie upon the South Caro-
lima side, is the Town OF Hambutg Suppose vessel
leaves Hamburg for The purpose going The seaboard
il she to Savannah and stops there with her
OF cotton she may pay no tonnage duty, accorng to the
laws OF Georgia; but il che passes by Savannah and
comes 10 The city OF Charleston then ha vessel might
be taxed with tonnage duty. Taus there would be a
discriminating du.y IN avor OF Savannah, and against
the city OF ChaIles'on and against that the constitution
expressly provides that
'No preference shall gven by any regulation OF CON-
oher"
Here il is proposed 10 confer upon the State Of Georgia
power 10 do that, reference 10 the port OF Savannah
and the port OF Charleston, which the constitution has
denied The Congress oi the United States the power
do Whether that power would be exerled not can.
not tell IL might or II might not be- But think ii
would be to confer upon Georgia the power OF
laying tonnage duty which might produce great difficulty
he fx ppu he 1 he
amendment OF the senator from Illinois would better stand
was originally presented II the amendment to the
amendment should prevail; do not think can vote for
the original amendment. Il appears to that the proper
would be 10 let The matter be referred 10 the States
Georgia aud South Carolina would have in
tees upon this subec and therefore, It has been very
properly provided BY the senator from Illinois, that where
IL proposed 10 lay tonnage duty upon commerce
to two States, there should be the joint
OF both 10 the duty which thus 10 be laid. think it
is unwise 10 depart IRON that principle, and II appears To
that the ~ which has been CAREFULLY considered
by the senator IRON Illinois, would be invaded BY adopt
ing the amendment proposed by the senator from Geogs.
Mr. CHARLTON. MIR President, | am very sorry
TO inrude the patience OF the Senate at this late
hour OF the day, and shall say but very lew words
upon the amendment which | have proposed There
exceptions to all general rules The exception
proves the rule The rule prescribed by my honorable
friend from Illinois is the correct rule in the main
doubt OF that. When river runs through two
States, each OF Them having propreorshp over ~,
both should control the tonnage duties But here is a
peculiar and you pass the amendment OF the
senator from Illinois IL stands, will he serious blow
TO the city OF Savannah And why You have heard
to-day the OF the discussion that for the last
fifty years Congress has been passing law authorizing
the State OF Georgia 10 levy tonnage duty on the river
Savannah without asking the State OF South Carolina
any questions about il; without any demur on the part
OF South Carolina, and without injury TO her Why
this Because the river Savannah, though IL be the
boundary line between these States is wholly within the
State Of Georgia, and the only important town OF con
sequence, the only town at all upon the seaboard OF
Georgia is the city OF Savannah. The is navigable
for steamboats, TO Augusta about two hundred and fifty
miles above Savannah, and opposite that point is Ham.
Now say II is the interest OF Charleston TO block up
the river Savannah, because there is railroad from
Hamburg to the cy OF Charleston, and it would be for
the benefit OF C3ayson II she could sink distractions in
every foot OF the ver and compel persons send their
goods by the railroad. Why should be compelled to
ask the State OF South Carolina 10 aid US in improving
the navigation OF our own riserl ~
concur in the amendment oil the senator from Illinois
This amendment II il be passed. will deprive the general
postion-to carry on works OF internal Improvement.
You are leaving them TO be accomplished by the energies
OF the States. Who believes that the general govern
ment make internal improvements with as much ETH
eacy as the Statesl Who believes that should have
20 many lines Of railroads extending throughout Georgia
mey h'd been left TO the fostering OF the general
government SIR il is 10 the energies OF the Staes as
20 ne energy OF the individual that you must look
W We ou Their own prosperity. Here, the State OF
oeo'sa owns his river The seacoas OF South Carroll.
s 'uns on 70 Inc northeast and the coast OF Georgia TO
Ine southeast The river enters between these coasts,
anu ,of some time alter its entrance does not touch the
D"on"a snvre' There is space between the rvet
proper sno lpe Caoilna shore, tor there IL niarsby
.o"""y tne'ei AZ oi which belongs TO the Stale OF Geor