The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-28

ona to do it. Who gave bin the power Of deciding on
me OF the consuiionality of these measures
Mr. HUNTER. Does the honorable senator say tha
said so
Mr. DAWSON Your argument says SO.
Mr. HUNTER made no such Argument but rather
Mr. DAWSON Then, I am glad to hear it, Now,
now are you 10 get any suryeys The honorable sena-
pI ,om mshgan Mr. cAs says that yoa ought 70
sum 70 The department. and lei them make the surveys
wow. now VIII that work 1.-THE $50, 600 shall be ap
propriated and the typographical engineers have the
power OF using that money of the country 10 ascertain
lhe proprey Of making appropriations for the improve
men OF Inc naygable streams, does not that make The
% eau o. ,e bureau al once the Judge OF the constitution
amy and me propuey OF exercising this power Suppose
he head OF the bureau should say thai the Rappahan-
mock river was FL subject for appropriation and the
this body No, sir Then 1t would come back to this
Congress is presumed TO have geographical knowl
edge OF The countfy and they, with their knowledge
particular stream. .EH
My friend from Illinois mir DoUoLAsl says it is con
sututiona! TO improve rivers far tide goes.
Now, that is one limitation but the rule is not found
TO do, because rivers run up sometimes 300 or 400
miles above tide-water. And we are then turned back
to thus posltono this question Of expedency; and that
question OF expedency having been considered here by
me. with knowledge of this stream cannot vote for
this appropriation, as do not think il is conducive 10
The general good OF the country.
. Mr.. MASON. II the senator will allow me, / will say
70 him this: in looking through this billand 10
De KIND OF terra fntogna to all the Senate It certainly
-, so to meLl ind that there is an appropriation OF
800 Tor the Improvement OF the Savannah river
Mr.. DAWSON. Exactly; and why The appropria-
ton is Tor the Savannah below the city OF Savan
nah, and within the constructive power OF the govern
men OF the United States il is below tide water and
also below port of entry Now, whether this appro-
paton Is TO be decided upon the General Jackson def
milton, the tide water principle, il is corecdemo-
cra,icaly right II is to remove an obstruction which
placed there for the defence of that fort by the
eminent Of the United States they have placed il there,
BILE senator from Virginia. Mr.. MAsoN.l who is much
more opposed to this system than am, present such
argument as that against the suggestion have made, and
then say that because il is constitutional 10 remove the
distractions from the mouth of the Savannah, it
alnly constitutional to improve the Rappahannock !?
Why, he surely cannot mean that That cannot be an
argument coming from with his strict knowledge Of
The constitution and his strict construction Of it.
Mr.. MASON. merely meant TO afford him nforma
ton. understood him TO say that there appro-
praton for Georgia, and rose merely for the purpose of
pointing one out to him. expressed no objection 10 the
Savannah appropriation, but merely gave him the in
MIR. DAWSON. why, tha, appropriation passed the
Senate in the form OF bill three months ago; passed the
Senate unanimously. The strces consruc,ionst of The
constitution voted for that bill. When it got TO the
House was put in this bill in order TO force others to
vote for H. That is The effect OF it, and that is why
speak of it now.
Mr.. HUNTER As some alluson has been made to
me IN relation TO this matter desire TO say word oil
planatlon. Tue honorable senator from Georgia MIR
DAwsosl has addressed himself TO me as il advocated
the constiuonalily of the power 10 make appropriations
for the survey of the Rappahannock river and 10 clear
out the James and the Appomattox rivers The honora
Bile seneraor is mistaken If he supposes entertain
such views; and hardly think be imagined did !
would vote against the separate proposition TO vote this
money for this purpose; and would vote against bill
which combined this object with others OF the char
ting money for objects Of this kind will by my vote
make that bill equal in its benefits can, and think
it is perfectly fair and legitimate orme todo So will by
my vote if can, vote in amendments relating 10 my own
he ms bpnp nj he and
then would vote against the bill aterwards | sad,
when was up before that was against the bill, and
perhaps had right to speak in favor OF amending H.
But do believe that is right and proper for representa-.
lives from States who are opposed 10 this system TO see
they cannot by their votes and by all other fair and lest
innate means enable their States 10 get their share of its
benefits. That others think and believe that the govern
ment has this power IL reason why they should
monopolze all the benefits of the bill for Their States
alone, and exclude the sections OF those who differ from
them II ought rather to be their object if they believe
the power 10 exist TO see that is exercised Tor the bene
fit and welfare of all
Now, the only connexon had with this matter OF the
Rappahannock river 10 introduce the delegation sent
up by the town OF Fredericksburg to the chairman OF
the Committee Commerce, Mr.. HAMLIE But
told them then, had told them before, that did moi
support the system, and though, it right make
this appropriation for surveys; and told the chairman
OF that committee that il be thought their application was
A good one would be glad IL he would incorporate III
he bill an amendment providing for the survey OF that
river; and will vote for that amendment and sustain IL
for believe that Virginia IS as much entitled 10 the
and this bill is the same thing as going into the whole
sysem-as any other State In the Union and therefore
WILL by amendments, or any other fair mode, make the
bill equal in It's operations as can; and then whether
the amendments are put in or rejected, | will vote
against the whole bill That is my position in relation
this matter, and no inconsistency in It. But
whether there be not that is the fact in relation 10
my position in regard 10 this bill.
Mr. MASON. III | understand the scope OF the
amendment OF the honorable senator from Michigan.
Mr. CAss1 il amounts to this IL seems TO be the set.
lied rule, and dare say II is very good rule for such
purpose, not 10 appropriate money TO make these i'm
provenens until there has been survey made un.
der the charge OF the War Department Now these
amendments OF the committee 10 the bill propose that
Congress shall decate what points shall be surveyed and
after the surveys make suppose Congress will de.
termine, they egslae upon this subject, whether the
points where they have had surveys made are of sut
importance to justify them in lncurrng the expense
Of the proposed improvements But the honorable
tor b ON Michigan MIR CAssl says that you shall turn
s wbole subject OF surveys, with is preliminary to
i'm 1rovement over to the War Department Gentlemen
will have 10 do under the operation oil IL will be
demand of the Senate appropriations for their parcu
lar States And yet the senator says you are to turn
the preliminary surveys over TO the War Department,
and let them alone determine what points shall be
veyed Then il to hs-tbat the representatives
OF The States and the representatives OF The people OF
the States TO go TO the Department OF War as sup
pcants and ask favor OF the department TO have
particular points in their States surveyed Is that the
condition TO which the honorable would bring us
We cannot then 90 there and demand asa right, be-
cause we invest the department with all the discretion 10
regard to the matter bat to go there as suppl-
cants and supplcants only, and ask favor oil this
department to have these points surveyed, That IS The
policy OF the honorable senator from Michigan, lMf
n "a. A.. 80. ..x4