The daily union., 1852-09-01

Mr. BoRLAND agree with the honorable senator
from Missouri ur, GEYERl in the general tenor OF his
remarks upon The Importance oil The object he has IN
view. would greatly prefer, he suggests, that each
nver should have lis specific and appropriate appropra-
ton, think that should be done. did rot make that
proposition merely because supposed that the Commit
Tee on Commerce. Tor reasons sufficient TO control Their
Judgment had adopted this general mode which has been
the usual mode, and which perhaps would meet as they
thought, with more general appreciation would be
very willing that proposition which have before me,
and which intended 10 Offer shall be modified TO meet
the views OF the senator from Missouri Mr.. GEYER.
Bat wish, for reasons that will saie TO put this
White river in among the others.
MIR. GEYER. have no objection in the world TO
that. -
Mr. BoRLAND The senator will admit that it is
very important rlyer II runs Tor cons derable distance
within the State OF Missouri and ii runs within the
limits OF Arkansas, almost without obstruction, and
aavgable Tor considerable portion. il notali Of The year
for four hundred miles TO the town Of Jdcksonpot at
the mouth OF Black river Taking in account all It's
anderlDgs. J suppose il runs something like hundred
miles in Missouri. believe boats have gone up high
Springfield, Missouri. Between The mouth Of Black
river and before it goes into Missouri, there
distractions which need removal, and il removed, would
make il most valuable river for that region Of country
From the mouth OF White river up TO the point have
indicatedJ Jacksonpor- foar hundred miles, there
are no distractions but snags II is one of the most
beautiful rivers for navigation up to that point, il
cep here and there snag, TO be found anywhere in
country. II runs through valuable country-a country
recently beginning TO be settled, and settling very
raddy with one Of the finest populations upon the
unent OF America Above that point II runs through
country equally valuable and equally interesting, and
now tending to rapid settlement, and here are these OBJ
structons which have mentioned. AT the mouths OF
some streams that empty into it some bars have been
formed WHICH should be removed. Then, with the ex-
penditure of the amount OF money which intend TO in
dcae, and the appropriation of which hope will be
made, It can be made safely navgable nearly all the
year for distance of seven hundred miles. For that
reason, am anxious to include il among these other
rivers. and have been asonished to find that il has
not heretofore been put in the bill
Now we generally regard the Arkansas river as the
rt.pt ia Arb :, Iaxa
course, from the southwest to the northeast dlagonay
across The State distance Of 600 miles As far
the operations OF this government concerned per
haps II is more important river than the White river
because connects directly with our Indian country and
is necessary to with Indian deences upon the
frontier But by making the White river navigable, it
will add to the facilities of that co nmuncaon, and
come very m.oriant line of communication between
our government and our western frontier hope that
nopg the others. If il is adopted, will then
addition TO the appropriation which is now in this
clause OF the bill.
Mr. SEBASTIAN When the senator from Missouri
[Mr. GEYERl last up. he seemed 10 make some
pon, upon the question whether White river had been
estimated for can inform the senator that, early
The year 1888, In bill approved by democratic Presi
dent, survey for the Improvement OF the White and
Black rivers was made and OF that survey elaborate
and careful report was made. The distractions in these
rivers found TO be of two characies-those which
temporary such small RATS and snags, and
hanging trees, and those which consisted OF shoals
making II necessary either 10 make locks and wing
nes For The removal OF those distractions which
OF temporary character, and which after all constituted
The chief difficulty, an estimate was made and the ex
pense of improving both the White and Black rivers
aud OF opening up almost uninterrupted navigation
and. my colleague has sad the best which the State
Of Arkansas affords for six hundred miles was only
$27 800 Now, although this estimate was made in
1898, set were another estimate made Today, IT could
scarcely make much difference account Of the charac
ter OF the obstruciions imagine that the amount
ommended by the engineer in 1888 would Approximate
as nearly 10 the wants and necessities of these rivers
now as though new estimate were made.
While am up will allude for moment TO what has
been said in regard TO the principle OF the bill So far
my support Of This bill upon principle is concerned Uor
have principle in this matter by which shall be reg
ulaed) these rivers within il by connecting two
different Staies and used the OF carrying
and conducting the o one Stale with another
That, think, is test OF its consutionality will
not enter further into the merits Of the bill now for will
not render il the unknd favor which is too often ncau
tously afforded OF speaking II 10 death. But in making
appropriations Tor vers ought 10 inquire, in order TO
determine whether the work is of a national character
whether these rivers used for carrying our foreign
commerce between its various parts whether they
vey between their termn the commerce between different
States; whether they used for the purpose of
communicating between the United States and the Indian
tribes These streams which have been estimated for
by Congress, come emphatcay within that definition.
1 They are streams which regular commerce is
carried between two independent States OF the
Union. They are not merely the beds OF dried
up streams, occasionally aflording navigation, but
they large streams. penetrating into the State OF Ms
sour through distance Of five or. six hundred miles.
Their length OF navigation, the volume OF their water,
and the carried upon them, make them the
equal of the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, which
have been regarded having national character
and importance. The reason why appropriations have
been here oioe confined 10 the Arkansas and Red rivers
10 The exclusion Of the White and Black rivers
count of the use OF the former rivers by the
as military roads, afording the only way in which we
could conveniently connect the Mississippi river with the
western Indian frontier and military posts and appro-
pralions have always been applied TO these rivers for
that and for that particular oblecnot merely as
a natural means OF communication for the commerce OF
the States with the Indian tribes, but for the additional
and paramount object of facilitating the administration
OF The Indian AID military affairs OF the United States in
that distant region.
will say relative to the Arkansas river that il is the
only means OF communication with the military posts
he western frontier that is the only road by which
we can furnish TO the Indians the annuities and
other supplies rendered necessary by our treaty stp.
il by any extraordinary oonvuson OF nature by any
other agency that river should be annhated the govern
ment would find that the cost OF the transportation of
supplies the frontier would be slargely increased be-
ond what is the annual charge on the treasury for
the proposed expenditure But because the White and
Black rivers have been placed under the ban of
situiiona objection, relates 10 their Improvement,
they have hitherto received other notice than slight
appropriation for a survey. But aside from the conslu.
tional objection to the system, do not entertain the
scrupes expressed by some senators as 10 the power
| of Congress TO make an appropriation Tor sur
vey. II s, IN my opinion, most necessary exer-
ton for I do not know what better authority, or
what higher power appeal to for the purpose
OF preventing the abuse of extimste authority than 10
\ Tho statistical information acquired by he of