The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-24

called monsrous bill, and one of great inequality.
Great objections made 10 il on thai ground as we'll
as on account oil its enormous amount But sir, that bill
was not IN my opinion unequal in its distribution OF
The amounts appropriated as this is My eye falls par
cnlarly sir upon the appropriation Tor the improvement
oi The navigation OF the Mississippi verbeow the rapids
The Ohio including the repairs OF the dam at Cumberland
island; the Missouri aud the Arkansas rivers, $3.50 900
Now, Mr. President, the extent OF water courses
braced IN that appropriation. the distinctions navga
uon which the appropriation is designed TO overcome,
may be said to be certainly great ii greater in the
number OF miles, than the whole extent which covered
by the rest OF the appropriations in the bill tits proposed
10 appropriate 900 for the improvement of the Mis-
sssIppi from the rapids TO its mouth; for the improve
ment OF the whole OF the Ohio river embracing the re-
moya or repair OF the obstruction which the government
itself has placed at Cumberland island for the Missouri
ver, and then Tor the Arkansas river which is
extending not only through the whole OF the State OF Ar
Kansas some six hundred miles from its mouth to where
y leaves our western boundary line, but goes
han one hundred miles into the Indian country constl-
tuung necessary and important highway 10 our forts
and military defences upon our frontier and in that coun-
try. BY way OF contrast, Mr.. President. and if TO
mark this inequality more strongly we find next TO 1t an
appropriation for the James and Appomattox rivers be-
low The cities OF Richmond and Petersburg in Virginia
$s5 900. They are two little rivers running altogether
but few miles do not exactly know the extent Wll
my friend from Virginia inform what is the extent
Mr., MASON. About l50 miles.
Mr.. BORLAND. $50 miles, embracing that small cx-
tent of coast, and the appropriation is $45 900. Now
Mr. PRESIDENT hear objections made to the apprOpra
ton Of money for the Improvement Of rivers in the
West, BECAUSE is sald that they local Oblects be-
they within the limits OF single State, and not
embracing number OF Sates-cannot, therefore, be con-
saerea national Here sI are the Mississippi, ns AT, AT
many States Some eight or nine at least, and extending
thousands Of miles, bearing upon their bosoms more COM
merce in year perhaps, than the James and Appo-
maox rivers have carried down in the direction OF the
ocean since the foundation OF TINS government Here is
river OF $50 miles, sir all within the limits OF single
much as the Mississippi river and its three greatest
tributaries. many thousands OF miles in extent and float
ing upon their waters the most valuable and important
commerce OF this whole country Think OF that, Dlr.
President
Then come SIR to another appropriation I" for
wing the raft Of Red river $4,000" This is one OF the
most important rivers in the whole southwestern coun-
try, running through three States and extending into
possessions far west of those States. runs through
Louisiana. Arkansas, AMI Texas, with navigation, sir
above the raft estimated at 900 miles, and only
$50 600 is appropriated for that rivera river which is
absolutely necessary the government highway for
the transportation of our troops, and munitions OF war
There is to be hardly anything more allowed Tor Temo
wing obstruction OF that kind than we lind allowed
for improving the navigation OF little rver that runs
altogether within the limits OF single State, and thai
only to the extent OF $50 miles Then, sir here Is an
other item: for the Improvement OF the Paapsco river
from Fort McHenry the mouth Of that river, $40 0Oo
Will my friend from Maryland tell me what is the
length OF that river from Forl McHenry TO lis mouth
Mr.. PRATT suppose II is some eight or ten miles.
Mr.. BORLAND. Here, then, we have nearly halt as
much appropriated for improving that little river, some
eight ten miles IN length, we have tor improving
the great Red river, some twelve or fifteen hundred
miles LENGTH and which Is not only one OF the most
important aud necessary highways for commerce, but
is absolutely necessary Tor the transportation oil our
troops and munitions OF war; 10 put US IN proper connex-
ion WITH and enable US TO supply and Defend our western
frontier.
Mr. President have not mentioned these items in the
bill for the purpose OF making any opposition to the bill
have done somewhat Tor the same purpose that The
from Michigan has sugges,edio call attention 10
the great OF the bill and show that the rep
resenlaves OF the country have great TO
be dssatsfed-far cause than the representatives
from any other portion oil the country. wish also TO
couple with that the declaration that, notwithstanding
their inequality, in order that may obtain some portion,
though be small IN itself, aad inadequate and unequal
amount 10 that protection and rele which are really
due 10 u.s. but which have been withheld from us so
j long, willing TO withdraw our objections on ac-
count OF this inequality and injustice done 10 u.s. 10 or
der the passage OF the bill and get some begin
ming OF Justice done 10 u.s. willing 10 withdraw
objections, and take the bill II comes to us IRON the
House.
Mr. SOULE MIR President, appropriate regard
for my colleagues upon the Committee Commerce re-
Qures that should say word with respect TO the mrs
amendment which they have proposed TO thus bill lhe
measure which the appropriation included IN TIE clause
under debate is intended TO carry out was originally in-
toduced by into this body some two or three months
ago. prepared bill for that purpose which under, a
before the Senate and passed, aite due aud deiD
crate consideration The original BILL adopted by the
Senate Is somewhat different in from that which
has come from the House That difference goes 10 lei
the impression remain that under the phTaseoogy adopt
ed in the latter the Secretary oi War might feel author
ilLed 10 CONTRACT BOt Tue Wuolc WOihr ahuuSh UW
comparatively small portion OF the amount presumed to
be necessary for its completion has been appropriated
l. of course could have no kind OF objection allow
ing this provision OF the bill 10 remain it now stands
in so far the powers which IL confes on the Secre-
tary of War are concerned for know, sir, that moth
ing will from that quarter that will not be in ac-
cordance with the just expectations oil those who take
interest in the measure.
But 1 must admit that when the bill which intro
duced was originally before the Committee on Com.
mefce and when urged 1t upon the consideration oil
that committee. and afterwards upon The consideration
OF the Senate, IL not contemplated that the SI5,OOO
thus appropriated would be enough 10 enable the de-
paItment 10 contract for the whole work II was an
clpaied on the contrary, that while going on with IT.
some estimate would be iomed OF lis extent OF the ex.
penditure which its completion would render necessary
and of The annual expenditure which would be required
to keep il in a condition that would make 1t perma-
neniy available. Our wish was 10 have The subject
fairly before the session OF Congress, that we
might act upon it understandingly The Committee on
10 restore the appropriation the which u bad
been originally claimed, would have been wanting 20
good faith il had insisted on the bill remaining as j
came from the House OF Representatives.. could no
but give my vote to the amendment as proposed IN ne
Committee Commerce; and cannot but give n again
in favor OF its being retained in the bill as reported
Il The amendment.i is admitted, can do no harm We'll
il il do harm, where the mpfopney OF adophne
' The distinguished senator from Michigan suggests
that this may create difficulties, and embarras. the bill IN
the other House III could presume that this were The
only amendment would send back to the other House
might conceive the honorable senator's rePugnance to
have il stuck to the bli bat the honorable senator
/ knows full well that the bill will be loaded here with
-. k,a In ~ ra