The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-09-21

cordance with my own upon this docnne-lf they shall
abandon the idea OF eyyng tonnage Duty and re-
y entirely upon the appropriations by the general gov
eminent 10 clear out their rivers and open thef haroos
shall consider the question settled know thai 10 DC
the doctrine of the wing party; and this decision now Will
make il the doctrine oil the democratic party, il the
amendment be rejected Thus il will be made known 10
the United States that both parties have al last concued
in the power OF the general government over rivers anu
harbors and that appropriations by Congress will here
after be the only mode OF eectng those Improvements
Irepeat that this vote be made test question easily
because the amendment interrupts no appropriation fou
know, sir that go for The Improvement OF rivers and
habors according my views OF the construction OF the
constitution as TO the powers Of The general
but beyond certain point have had scrnples Those
scrupes 10 be relieved and TO be settled by the opn'
ions of the representatives in Congress. One party have
long announced their opinions, and the other party
will day announce, by the vote they give whether
they intend TO abandon tonnage duties and rely solely
upon appropriations from the general government TO clear
out their rivers and harbors.
| Mr. BUTLER am sorry to hear my friend from
Georgia say that he will acquesce IN the decision OF the
majority on this subject.
| MIR. DAWSON. | did not say that should acquiesce
in il. say that shall take the decision OF this vote
a settlement of the question by the two parties
| Mr. BUTLER. Well, sir, give notice that | shall
make The system in every form that can herea
ter There is one hut must see how It will operate
| II operaie1n but way The senator from Con-
nectcut Mr. SMITH has given you clue TO the policy.
II is this: long he can, by the legislation oil Con-
gress impose duties and collect Tor the federal
government, he is willing distribute money derived
from other people for his benefit, =
/
tnct proposition. He has said that you cannot with the
money obtained by federal legislation and federal taxa
ton, raise enough the purposes contemplated
OF keeping rivers and harboIs open. say too; but
the moment you refuse TO embark IN this system, VIII
Tor il that the people upon the Mississippi and The
Ohio will be very glad to avail themselves OF the system
OF the honorable gentleman from Illinois. II you refuse
TO pass this BILL my word Tor IT, they will be very willing
TO adopt his system.
proposed by the senator from Illinois is the most self
controlling mode that be possibly imagined for no
State having power to levy duty on tonnage would
abuse it, 1t would be the interest of the State TO use IT
so 10 encourage local commerce No State would
| il in such a way TO drive commerce OH by SUBJ
jectng TO burdens such as have been indicated by
the senator from Connecticut Why, 1t is The very last
thing any State would do The States cannot abuse this
power without hurting themselves. II you give TO any
number of States onthe Mississippi the power OF evying
tonnage duties, do you suppose they would abuse IL by
driving of commerce? Mo- they would use 1t IN the most
judicous way which il could be used IL would be used
by those who have local intelligence and local interest II
might be, perhaps, competition between the lakes and
the Mississippi In this mode OF regulating commerce
but that competition for the benefit OF all persons
engag ed in a common commerce. This power OF levy
ing tonnage duties, which has been alluded with SO
much apprehension by the senator from Connecticut can
not be abused Ii is self-controng tax and no State,
number OF States, would abuse II, Tor they would
have no temptation do and that is the principle
| II you collect S50000,0o0 from the commerce OF The
South and Southwest upon cotton ce and tobacco and
levy duties upon the exports carried out upon the Atlantic
by your duties on imports, the gentleman will be very
willing 10 take the money and distribute IT; and how Z
Just according 10 the temptation which interest may sng
ges al the time, TO put Lake SUPERIOR and cut
dicn to improve his mne--as understand, although 4
not aware before that he had upon that lake
Now this is but clue 10 The system Ii you resort to
the plan suggested by the honorable senator IRON Illinois
cannot be abused there IS no temptation to abuse H.
Suppose the States the Mississippi could have the
power, do you think they would impose burdensome
and unnecessary taxi repeat they would impose the
tax such way TO attract commerce, aud not drive
it Off But tell my friend from Georgia that If be &C
quiesces this system OF appropriations from the public
trpasu Internal he IN
what in my opinion is almost equal to burning the cot
Ion OF the South.
is too late TO make general remarks upon the subject
but gentlemen have urged this and harbor
bill upon at this late hour OF the session, give them
10 understand that intend TO talk on the subject, and IN
Tend reply 10 many Arguments which have been urged
here II this the time OF the session, II Is
nothing will lose the appropriation bills, and Will
go before the country and take the responsibility II they
bring here, and because senators here choose
discuss them 10 offer amendments, The approp1a-
ton bills lost, the country shall understand IT, Al,
low me TO say they calculate on counting numbers and
voting down everything like intelligence which should
20 to the country have something TO say on This sub
leci, and intend TO say it,
Mr. BROOKE. Mr. President, | regret TO a dispo-
son TO force this bill through this late period OF the
day; and now announce that have two amendments
10 oIer, local and one general one,
Mr. CASS. II the honorable senator will allow me
to interrupt him moment, do not believe there is any
design force the bill through to-day. We only wish
TO have the bill reported TO the Senate.
Mr.. BROOKE. thought the design was TO force the
Mr.. BUTLER II the honorable senator will give
way, will move adjournment
Mr. BROOKE. 4 am willing 10 yield Tor that motion.
MIR BUTLER. | move that the Senate adjourn
Several SEsAToRs Let us have vote on the amend
ment.
Mr. DESAUSSURE. would suggest that there is an
amendment be proposed to the amendment, the vote
which will have to be taken before this can be voted
upon. think II is amendment which Will require
discussion
The motion 10 adjourn was not agreed to-ayes 10,
noes not counted
MIR BUTLER wish to ask gentlemen who are the
friends OF the BILL whether they think the vote will be
taken on this amendment this evening because, II they
wish that, | will leave IL 10 themselves.
Mr.. CHARLTON. have an amendment TO oier, IN
which the gentleman may take some interest.
Mr.. BUTLER. Very well; shall stay then.
MIR. DAVIS. do not suppose we can dispose OF the
bill night, but hope shall have trspoed TO The
Senate
Mr. BROOKE. | was going on to remark that il the
friends OF the bill intend TO sit out and force 1t down
this evening, they must expect opposition. intend 70
offer an amendment which goes to the OF the wboF
be discussed intend to discuss il il have 10 sit here
until midnight intend to offer another ndment, To-
cal in its character the in substance, although dill
ierent in form, from that which offered on Saturday
offered then an amendment for the improvement OF GER
tain rivers in the State OF Mississippi was then told,
that although the festive board spread although the
spos were about to be divided, yet did not come in
i" wedding garment" had not been TO the department.
the governmental ailors shopto have the true dImen.
sons OF myself or OF my amendment measured. want
10 provide against that difficulty, and by the lime the Ia
Bile ia spread again, by the time the spois are 10 be adj
minsered again. want 10 have iul suit made Tor the
~ - arl fhp PeQrl nj