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

- o~''ey Va uS b@PpohheNN 'A'NF
Mr. SHIELDS. move to amend that amendment, by
striking Il out and inserting the following:
For the survey and examination OF rivers and harbors
$4,000; the survey and examination be made by the
typographical bureau under the superinendence OF the
the abest aud experienced typographical engineers
in the service Of the uated States be employed this
duty and they be instructed arrange the gable
rivers OF the into three classes, based upon their
a 70 me nsoa aaa as extent %
into three classes based upon their commercial Import
for their Improvement; aud hat they make q probable
estimate OF the render each improve
ment effective and permanenti and that the Secretary oil
War report the same as soon as possible, TO Congress
Mr. ADAMS | wish simply 10 ask question for
information of my friend from Illinois, understand
from the reading OF the amendment that provides that
the most experienced engineers shall be selected. want
10 know who is To determine that question:
Mr.. SHIELDS. That am not particular about The
object oil Tins amendment IS something similar 70 VIVA,
we contended about yesterday. am only sorry that
the amendment which this is proposed Affects Viz
gina friends. an sorry that il touches the amendment
Tor the Rappahannock river. But sir will appeal to
those gentlemen themselves when take the position
assumed by The honorable senator from South Carolina,
Mr. DEsAUssUREl whether i is worthy OF their position
amendment propose! beg the attention of my honora
BILE friend from South CAROLINA, Mr.. DEsAUssuRE,l who
touched this point few minutes ago, and OF the Senate
generally--what does this amendment propose First
10 give equal chances to the whole country, not equal
benefts-no legislation do hat-but equal chances.
That legislation should always give.
But there is another point, and that is this. want 10
see brought up before Congress- for my instruction, the
full amount and full extent OF this system entering
into. Ii the honorable senator from South Carolina be
correct and y colleague be correct. when this brought
before this body will appal the country do not know
it will be SO or not; but wish TO see where this thing
will lead TO- How that 10 be done by employing able,
competent, and efficient engineers to dowhat TO take
the navgable rivers OF the country and classify them
this basis, and after having done SO. to ascertain as
far II be done by such investigation what
the full amount will be that will be necessary TO i'm
prove all Of these rivers and next, TO take the har
bors and classify them into first, second, and third
classes Then you will have map Of your country
before you-you will have chart OF your improve
ments before YOU Il will extend the whole coun
ynot TO two, three four States, but to the whole
country Then, sir, and not till them in my opinion,
you sci to work and establish system lhave much
confidence in the committee who investigated this matter
for any committee composed Of OF any amount OF ia
emit in few days bring in bill here that will be equal
and just 80 far as this matter is concerned
Now, will ask senators 10 reflect upon thing for
single moment have noticed It in my short expe-
rcnce in this body. The rush into enterprises wi,hou,
counting the Of themwlhout calculating the extent
to which they will lead and then when find them
expensive, right ia the middle OF them prepared to
abandon them beg those gentlemen who are opposed
to this systenopposed to il prncpleo say whether
il is not better for them and for all to ascertain what
The cost OF ihls system will be when carried out 10 its
full extent. How are we 10 determine-how is any
committee to determne-the works upon which APP
prOpraiionsare TO be expended lib a senator going
and impouning them' No. sir but by employing these
men. They are already paid by the government and
and determine whether they ought be improved
and then the expense attending these and
SO with regard to your harbors.
will not waste the time OF the Senate but will ask
IN common jasllce, whether il is not fair for the country
that all should have equal chance IN reference to these
surveys and invesg aons Can any man fairly oppose
that And sir, although cannot distribute The bene
hts equaily--no government canyet there thing
that every government should do; and that is give the
whole country an equal chance.
Mr.. HUNTER Mr.. President, the senator from Illi-
nois, think. does injustice TO when he supposes that
IS question between the senators from Virginia and
that amendment BY no means. The question is one
between the Committee on Commerce and the topog raph
ca bureau. say, with the rule that is pursued. that
between the system which recommends and leaves 10
The discretion OF the Executive to that rivers and
harbos TO be improved, and the other system which
leaves j to the discretion OF the Committee Com.
merce, would prefer the latter
| Mr.. SHIELDS Will the honorable senator permit
me to say that doubt whether he has considered my
amendment II IS that these engineers should classify
all the navgabe rivers OF the country according 10 their
prominence and importance in national sense.
Mr.. HuNlE believe comprehend the amend
meni, and think shall be able TO show the gentle.
man, that If he will accept the logical conseq OF
his argument will 60 with him. But Will come TO
that presently
say that The senator has treated this as question be-
tween The senators from Virginia and the amendment.
On the contrary, II is question between the Committee
on Commerce and the typographical bureau know he
says you leave II TO them 10 classify all the rvers and
harbors Bot will $4,000 enable that bureau TO survey
all the rivers inhe United Siaes and 10 make these es
males II is impossible. They will have TO select the
surveys, and then you you will make oppropria-
ton until the bureau the executive makes estim
and recommends What is that but leaving the system TO
be determined by the executive and by that bueaul
say, hen il had TO choose between system directed
and one directed by OF committees who
would summon 10 their aid this Typographical bureau and
all prefer system which leaves 1t TO the discretion
OF The the knowledge and information which theyhave
L would Committee on Commerce.
But, sir, far this amendment is concerned and
far this bill is concerned, agree with what the
tor said yeserdaythai II is very bad bill and agree
with what be says to-day-that Is impossible for any
committee TO originate fair bill without full norma-
ton. And If he will move strike out these items ma
king appropriations for specific works and to substitute
for this bill appropriations for services and estimates
stead OF them, will vote with him for that substitute
and strike out The Rappahannock and all the rest Bot IL
he 10 take the residue OF these appropriations
they stand and suffer The bureau survey such points
as they choose and adhere hereafter 10 their recommends
lion, and that alone, in relation to the points which
be improved, then say OF the two systems prefer
hdlng something TO committee in our own body.
But have not insisted strenuously upon this thing.
sall woe against that amendment unless he will subsi-
tute II Tor the whole bill and then will with hi i'm
because think with him. that there ought 10 be more
information, If have the constitutional power
and IL IL were expedent to enter into such system
think should postpone il uail we had inorma.
and purpose is obtain this information and move il as
substitute for The bill. will go with him.
Mr.. SHIELDS. am not prepared for that because all
can do - TO act upon the present have control
over the past Jove himself has power the past
But will say thisihat before system OF this kind
was ever undertaken, some such examination is pro-
posed in my amendment should have been made for