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


some hundreds OF thousands OF dollars TO accomplish an
object OF this sort Others place the cost a, much less
There Is among men OF great skill ana great ex-
perlenes who have devoted maoa nne 70 ,nas 5uose,
might give this $4,000 Tor beginning iof preparatory
operations. -.
This, then brings me to consider the merits OF this
proposition 10 amend | did not think il important in
the committee do not think il important nowj do
think il will change relations 10 this subject, or
fore The amendment was proposed The very nature and
character OF the transaction is such that cannot De al
tended with any particular danger IL the proposition
were dig canal out OF solid landa thing which Is
whole by ITSELF the modes operand of which is under
stood by eyerybody--hen contract might be made Tor
the whole But this proposition to scour out this pass
age deepen it, and dig away the distractions from the
bed OF the rivera thing which be just well done
by instaments from year to year as any other thing
which be done in that way This amendment. there
FORE is not important matter in any point OF view
not essential to the merits of this question in any way
Ii is very WELL ii II be thought worth while 10 adopt the
amendment to express the Limitation OF the pro-
vsion but have fears OF any Inconvenience. even
there is no express limitation expressed in this
think that from the necessity OF the the officers OF
the department limited TO the appropriation and can
not go beyond it, do not consider this amendment an
Mr. DAWSON. would not detan the Senate mo-
ment but Tor the understanding that this to be test
question The same proposition was made st the last SEES
sion OF Congress, when the river and harbor bill came
from the House OF Representatives. Now, my position
in relation TO the river and harbor bill is well understood
am prepared at all times and under ordinary circum.
stances to vote Tor all appropriations OF this kind. un.
derstand this bill TO be the same almost The same, bill
the Of the last session, with more additional APP
Mr. DOWNS. This bill is much smaller than the bill
of last year great many appropriations OF last years
bill are left out Of this The other bill was about double
the amount of this one.
Mr.. DAWSON. 1t may be nearly double this bill as il
came from the Housethat is. without the amendments
propose it here. The only question is, whether
not shall adopt this bill without any amendments
hath lane nf laa
bill shall be acted upon without crossing or dottng an
t. Now, beg TO say that we are about revivng sys
TEN that has been exploded since the year ls44 which
exploded under tho administration OF the late Prest
dent Polk, and which is about TO be revived under
the auspices OF very large majority OF his politlca
friends is about to be revived by the use OF what may
be deemed and considered the previous question here By
motion to cut of all amendments, which may be con
sdered equivalent 10 the previous question: and which
TO be done not on account OF the present perfect con
diton Of the BILL but merely for the purpose OF laying
down and eestablishing this system again Yet during
the last session OF Congress, when this point was pre-
sented and this very question raised some OF my dsn
house announced 10 this body that If they intended Il
make the question of amendment or no amendment
they would vote TO lay the bill upon the table and refuse
the bill it came TO us from the House, they would
vote 10 lay ii upon the table at once. Now, what IS
the scene presented to you' Those OF my friend.
that 1t would be improper TO adopt the bill IN that way
now contend that we should take the bill as it is
ior say they you DO not you will lose the passage
the system and reestabsh without any regard at al
to the perfection OF it take it with all its defects whether
there be constitutional or unconstitutional appropriations
in the judgment OF any man take II without lnvest
gation for the purpose of setting precedent Now,
there any upon this floor who contends that there
not Objectionable features in this bill upon consu
tonal grounds LII there be such features IN H. theI
let them vote against all amendments But II there be
any, how they consent by the power of the majority
TO force the minority TO let this bill pass in this wayi
is IN he
of this body by the application OF what is antaount to
| the previous question. Now, refused TO have the
previous question brought into this branch OF Congress
in order TO have restraint put upon our action here
that it should be unllmed except by the constitution
and that any might have the right 10 bring for
ward and present any measure he might deem worthy o.
our consde alton and attention But although that powe
not adopted by rules yet is now about to bt
adopted practically, 10 let the majority control the
minority.
One OF my friends with when acted 10 relation to ,h,
bill at the last session of Congress, said capita
thiDgs, stronger, more influential and commanding
aGSnnx AN na
ranks for forcing this bill upon this body as is, whou
| alteration amendment Why, that the people would
abandon us. What seek 10 revive system that hai
been exploded Seek 10 do it by congressional actor
alone without any estimates from the departments which
would show how much should be thus givenl Take j
upon our own responsibility alone And these wer,
made the arguments which will read without advernl
TO the OF the who used them, but will read then
merely account OF their value. read from the debates
OF the last session OF Congress, the arguments which
were then used:
"But, sir, there grave objections to this bi-vioatnl
does the established practice Of the government
leading 70 system Of aPprobnau9n' without example y
cal application of the question Of appropriation for giyer
object Of this kind is made Of its necessity and its proba
bic cost, alter It's consiutionnty Is settled II II does
come within the established category to constitutions
power and is national in Its importance, and II IL
not be accomplished without sacrifice OF the prlci
Piles OF action without expense dspropoionate to 10
value, IL ought to be abandoned. To ascertain its rut
character previous examination IL Indispensable, by
experienced and trustworthy officer and the receipt OF hi
report with proper plans and estimates showing
the nature OF the work conemp plated, the excavation
dredging piers, wing dams whatever else IL proposed
the probable eventual the work. and exhibiting suct
topograp hical information the officer may be able Il
procure Upon this system have proceeded both In tbs
legislative and executive departments OF the
do bellies that single instance can be found upor
tho ststoebook where appropriation has been made
without these preliminary operations SO far as know
the first attempt 10 SWEEP away all the of nforma
ton, well all the established guards against abuse
the first effort induce Congress commence a system
appropriation without the slightest knowledge Of the
OF the work proposedwithout any plan OF opera
tions and without any estimates the conjeciu
rail- Of the expense into which the government be lee
before the improvement is completed"
This up the argument of my friend from Soutl
Carolina, Mr.. BuTLsRl Whether the impression wa,
made upon his mind at the last session OF Congress anC
deposited there, being the views OF another
tell But the argument is srong-it is incontroyerble
prepared for such state OF hngsF Tba, is the
lnenogatory propounded then, and which PROFOUND
lto-day-the inierrogaory which | PROFOUND, not as
friend oil any system, but as representative OF the
try seeking TO protect ii against the consequences
which this full able and eloquent arguer presented 10