The daily union., 1852-08-31

vote down the amendment 4 cannot consent 10 give my
vote for other amendments for the purpose OF securing
support 10 these Neither can promise, if be adopted
to vote for the bill as il stands il probably will
stand think il is deficient IN many respects, and vio
ates the constitution 70 some respects.
Mr.. BADGER. rise 10 question OF order. With the
most heartfelt sympathy for the amendment of my friend
from Mississippi desire ask the opinion OF the Chair
whether il can be offered to this general appropriation
bil-whether my friend is provided with an estimate
from any department, whether any committee OF this
body has directed the amendment 10 be made II not
submit that the amendment Is not in order under the
| rules OF the Senate.
Mr.. BROOKE. do not consider this as general ap-
preparation bill general system OF internal improve
mens understand TO be unconstitutional
| A SENATOR. Oa, no il is opposed TO the platforms
| Mr.. BROOKE AT least, it is contrary 10 certain
The PRESIDING OFFICER, (dr BR1cHr in the chair
point OF order having been raised. the Chairman will
be under the necessity of deciding it
| Mr BROOKE. was merely going on to say that my
amendment is not out OF order, because this is gem
eral appropriation bill, and therefore the rule does not
| apply.
bill which considered constitutional, because il is
not general; therefore, withdraw my point OF order
| Mr. ADAMS. move 10 amend The amendment OF
| my colleague by adding 10 II the following:
"For the improvement of the Tombgbee river s75, 600"
| will remark 10 the Senate that the Tombgbee river
is navgable Tor steamboats, for about five hundred miles
passes very considerable distance through the States
OF Alabama and MISSISSIPPI and carries upon lis bosom
S2oooOo bales OF cotton annually, and corresponding
commerce IN return. Perhaps II Is OF the most In
poriant rivers in the whole country, although has
never been noticed by the government And although
shall not vote Tor this bill under any circumstances, yet,
while money is being distributed, think sheer justice to
the tax.paying people OF Alabama and Mississippi re-
quires that my amendment should be adopted 1t seems
that in Mississippi have scarcely anything do with
the federal government but to pay taxes. We have no
light houses, custom houseno expenditure OF money
for our benefit, Eve thousand dollars year would
cover every dollar OF money that goes out OF the treasury
to The Slate Of Mississippi except Tor Post-oce purposes,
and we pay more taxes perhaps, than any other Stale
the Union m proportion 10 our population,
| Mr.. DAVIS. | simply desire that senators will vote
on these propositions way The other that may
find out what the OF the Senate The last amend
lnent seemed 10 pass almost without notice. hope the
Senate will bear in mind the suggestion which think
fell from the honorable senator from Michigan, [Mr
CASH. that il we go adding appropriations in this way,
we are certain 10 lai IN passing the b There three
rivers proposed TO be improved dare say they may
merltorous objects; but have learned from either
any estimate made, or that anybody knows anything
about The sort OF Improvement which the require.
or what would be probable and reasonable for that
purpose How can we vote for propositions of that de-
scnptLon
MIR. CASS. did not exactly hear the honorable sen
aor from Massachu usetts, but would inquire if have
any estimate al all as TO the probable expense of these
Mr.. DAVIS. None al ALL
Mr.. CASS, Ii we assume that principle, may
well give up all idea of making improvements. The
rule requiring estimate is the only wholesome check
which we have SO far If you abandon il, shall be
| ashore without pilot
MIR. RUSk, am anxious that this bill should be dis
posed OF, and rise for the purpose OF making sugges
uon We are now acting as in committee OF the whole
and the amendments which agree here have 10 be
again acted upon in the Senate If load down the bill
with amendments in the committee, when the bill comes
into the Senate these very amendments will be in danger
hope, therefore, that the TRENDS o the bill at least will
reserve their amendments until get into the Senate
when there will only be action upon them AT pres
there is evidently careessness the part of sena
tors, because the amendments will have be gone over
again in the Senate This will not only endanger
the BILL but the amendments themselves. merely throw
out this suggestion, with the hope that senators will
in accordance with il. have one or two small amend
mens, but shall defer Offering them until get into the
Senate
Mr DAWSON. My friend from Michigan has inter-
posed principle here which, in my Judgment is not
tenabe Il is one which have been discussing aud
which we ought not to rely upon He says there should
be survey first made What is the object of survey
1t is 10 ascertain whether the river is navigabe or not
Ii be already navgable and STEAMBOATS, and other
craft are plying upon IT. 1t is evident that there
eessy for survey as 10 its navigabilty. But when
we ask Tor an appropriation, II Is said that must go
70 the head OF the typographical bureau for estimate
What do go there for! To ask the bead OF the bu-
TO say what in his Judgment it will cost TO survey
the river and ascertain whether II be navgabe
and suppose, the tme 10 ascertain, if il be not
naviga0le, how much moneys necessary TO clear out
and make IT navgable.
Now. the rivers which proposed TO be improved
by this amendment similar, perhaps, 10 which
am going 10 propose They are already navgable There
are some distractions which al low impede the
navigation, and the object is TO make appropriation of
| money 10 remove those distractions. What object,
| then, could we accomplish by having survey made
When the money shall be appropriated and placed in the
| hands OF those whose duty II is 10 to remov
ing the DISTRACTIONS than ia necessary will be
expended and If requires than appropriate,
they will have TO stop the work until they
Congress again and get another appropriation. cannot
see therefore, the necessity oil cutting oil the amendment
| under that suggestion My friend from Illinois lMr.
SHiELDsl few moments ago asked for appropra-
ton OF $4,000, which was agreed to- Have any of us
seen the estimates for it No doubt they have been
made for he told US So There were estimates made
years ago, but OF them have been called for
during this by the heads OF the departments
have doubt OF the fact which he has stated but how
does that der from the proposition OF my trends from
Mis,is.ippil They say their streams navgable
Mr. SHIELDS. | have not the estimates in my hand
but il the statement is doubted will send for them.
Mr.. DAWSON. do not doubt the TACT.
Mr SHIELDS. The river was surveyed, and est-
males were made. They before the committee in
the House. But that is not the question here This
river never was surveyed or estimates made.
Mr. DAWSON, The river never has been surveyed.
There has estimate al all is there npcess
y for surveying IT. because il known to be navigabe
II you appropriate $4,000 Sl2 oJ1 for the removal of
obstacles IN the rivers proposed by the from
Mississippi they will be removed; or il the money not
sufficient, application will be made for more.
Mr.. SEWARD. II is necessary that should con-
hne ourselves limits in regard 10 the amount
winch is to be appropria ed would also remark that
we do not here 10 make appropriation OF
money Tor the purpose Of supplying this clty-his Capt.
tol--with water without previous examnaton-some
survey and estimate. All will be in confusion If
we 20 aud approp late money for the Improvement of
rivers all the country, when he have nothing from
any scientific source or practical authority IN regard to
the practcabllity of the improvements, the amount of
hall ha up tai