The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-21

information or at least he has given 10 the SEN
ale now than we had before US year ago think he
owes Il 10 the Senatehe certainly II to those with
whom he differs in opniono tell them why this change
has come him
Mr.. SMITH II the honorable senator will permit me
to do so, will say that when advocated the billnot
one year ago, but two years ago knew nothing about
the constitution OF Michigan ! supposed she could in-
corporate company, and hand the land over 10 them,
MI BORLAND. Then. as understand the senator,
y because this work cannot go into the hands OF pri
yae individual and be made speculation OF, that he
cannot support this bill now.
MI BORLAND. II what he says means anything it
Mr. SMITH. If the honorable senator win permit me-
VIII say that IN all candor he ought to refer to the en-
nre ground have taken. say, that under her consu
lon the Stale Of Michigan can neither organize com.
pany and hand the land 10 hem and let them build
tue canal, she build the canal herself. ex-
cept by the money 10 be derived from the sale of the
land
Mr.; BORLAND | will ask the honorable senators
from Michigan Messrs CAss and FELcHl if there is any
obstacle presented by the constitution OF tnat State 10 pre-
vent The State OF Michigan from making this canal, and
Tor thai purpose using this land in any way she may
think Proper? My friend, the senator from Michigan,
Mr. FETCH who sits my left, has put in my hands
the constitution of Michigan upon this subject, and
ind init these provisions, which suppose the only
ones IN II which relate 10 this subject One OF the pro-
visions is this The State shall subscribe to, be
interested IN the stock OF any company association OF
with individuals Tor purposes OF speculation. The next
is The State shall not be party to- or interested in
ing such works. exceptn the expenditure Of grant to
the Slate OF land or other property" Why sir, this
proposition before provided for expressly Here
proposition to grant land to the State to make work
of internal improvement; and she is forbidden by her
consultation to engage in any other enterprise except the
administering OF the very grant propose to make
TO her Yet the senator rises and says he opposes this
grant because the constitution fobids the State from ad
mInsterlng i in this way. Why, here are the words OF
the constitution before which expressly give her that
very power There can be no reason for his opposition
Mr.. SMITH. | am very sure that the senator could
not have listened to the observations that addressed to
the Senate admitted in express terms that she could
construct the canal in that way but when / admitted
that said could not be done in less than ten twelve
years.
MIR. BORLAND. The senator said he would explain
TO why he opposes this bill, and not opposed
10 year ago He said that the State forbidden TO
take stock or engaging in joint stock company for the
construction OF public works asked him why IT was so
and the answer said he gave was Oh because she was
forbidden from forming partnerships with individuals for
purposes Of speculation. He said that did him Injustice
and that he meant that she forbidden by her con-
suon from using the grants made to her by the general
government Tor that purpose read 10 him IRON the
constitution OF Michigan, where il shows that she is ex
pressy authorized administer such grants this, which
are excepted from the restrictions placed upon her power
IN regard TO all enterprises OF this kind Therefore, II
his objection made in good faith, il is now entirely
removed, and he has now before him information upon
this subject which can be OF any weight whatever that
he did not have year ago. when he advocated this bill
most strenuously
Now, since the senator has expressed so much sur
PRISE at the OF Others upon this subject and since
he hSs taken the liberty dsnounce the opinions and the
report OF the committee here as arrant humbugs, mser
able humbugs not worthy OF respect he ought at least
to be very careful 10 make his own course and the
tives which govern him very clear and satisfactory.
will not say either here elsewhere, that that senator
gets up before this Senate and talks what arant hum
bug. miserable humbug; common proprety requires that
should abstain from using such language anywhere,
and the rules OF the Senate require that should abstain
from using il here But have shown TO the Senate,
appears to my mind that the OF that senator has
very suddenly changed-changed in the most extraor
binary manner-that he has turned somerset that
would have done credit 10 the most active performer
any circus that have In my life; and in the
very act OF teglvesaon he out al the top of his
voice everybody who looking at him and admiring
his agility, "arTant humbug miserable humbug" say
without meaning any dsrespect, but 1t does remind me
very much OF expression that have often heard used
will not use the term the phrase lest it might be
deemed dsIespecu butthe substance OF s that when
most anxious TO direct attention from
extraordinary conduct and behavior very apt
raise cry about the behavior and conduct OF somebody
else have nothing more 10 say upon this subject.
Mr. SMl HI | desire, with the permission OF the Sen.
ate TO correct mistake made said that the river where
this canal is 10 be made is about mile in width. am
informed by gentleman IN this chamber, who is much
better acquainted with the matter than am that n point
OF fact s only quarter OF mile wide, and can be
damned without any sort of difficulty.
Mr. PELCH. ! hoped yesterday, when the amend
ment oil tne committee winch was acted upon be-
fore the Senate that should be under the neces
sy OF referring 10 the particular phase OF the matter
which has been the subject OF discussion this morning
This bill introduced IL came from the committee,
appropatng land, being the one under consdera-
ton IL has been said this morning that this was the
original proposition Now wish TO correct the IN
regard TO that The original proposition before Congress
was not proposition 10 appropriate land Tor the con-
sruction OF this work. II proposition for grant
Of money. Neither was it, rs some seem TO suppose,
proposition based upon the ground that it ordinary
Improvement, such as those provided for by grant OF
alternate sections. II placed upon the ground
upon which we placed the amendment yesterday, 10
wit; improvement OF that portion OF the country,
in military point OF view. Now, n
Of this work, and bill reported providing for
construclionreported TO the Senate of the United
States, II was reported upon the application OF the legis
laures oil several States OF this Unon-Ohio was one,
Pennsylvan one and other States more pariicu
larly bordering upon the lakes. 1t was in that man
ner that II came up. And when the proposition
made, made on yesterday, to appropriate money
instead OF land, we but recurring TO the original
proposition brought forward here. That was the orig
na proposition; but IL is not ancient proposition that
has become Obsolete because have had before US at
this very session applications from live different States,
not asking for an appropriation OF land as Tor an ordinary
Improvement, but putting il upon higher ground and
asking for money So IL commenced upon the appopn.
alton OF money and yesterday discussed this matter
1t first proposed |. asked for by hye States
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wis
consn,
Now we have heard discussion here in regard TO The
State OF Michigan upon this subject, which certainly
seems to be altogether foreign TO the matter car
red 10 too narr ow limits II is not Michigan that is
here asking for money be put in her treasury; 1t is not
Michigan here asking for land that she may have The
benefit OF 1t for her own citizens by no means, II IL Tor