Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-08-07

ne hought necessary In the bill to effect the object II
proposed.
The morning hour having now expired
CIVIL AND DIPLOMATIC APPROPRIATION BILL
4 On motion Of Mr. HOUSTON the House went into
Committee Of the Whole the state Of the Union, Mr.
PHELPS, OF Missouri in the chair aud resumed the
sderaton Of the bill making appropriations for the civil
and diplomatic expenses Of Government for the year end
ing Both June, 1853, and for other purposes.
a The CHAIR stated the question to be upon the amend
ent OF Mr. JOHNSON of Arkansas, to insert in the bill
appropratng $4 $50 for the repair of the two bridges
over the Eastern Branch Of the Potomac
And the question being taken, the amendment was re-
jected.
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, renewed the amendment
increasing the to 1850 He stated the manner in
which the Government into possession OF these
bridges and said that the Government owned TWEEN
V millions OF dollars Of public property within this city,
and yet did not pay solitary of into the
city treasury The only taxes that were levied and col
lected here levied and collected upon private pro-
pery. As the Government paid taxes upon its pro-
pery located here he thought bound to contribute
something to the District.
Mr.. VENABLE said that he was willing to do what was
proper and right but he opposed to the amendment
OF the gentleman from Arkansas. He thought that the
had done enough for the people Of the District
in purchasing the bridges and thus saving them the
pense of toll The Government having done thus much,
the people should themselves repair the bridges He then
referred to the large amount annually expended by Con-
gress for the benefit of the District of Columbia.
j Mr.. CLEVELAND supported the amendment, remark
ing that had the Government purchased these two
bridges and built the which it proposed to erect be-
them it would have been obliged to have kept that
bridge in repair.
| Mr.. HEBARD opposed the amendment stating that he
did with hostility towards the District Of Columbia.
Mr. JONES, Of Tennessee, thought that if the Govern
ment was to keep these bridges at least would be
sufficient for he did not believe they than
mile apart He did not suppose this would inconvenience
travel much.
Mr.. BOWIE explained that the plan suggested by the
gentleman from Tennessee would Inconvenience travel.
| Mr.. BRECKENRIDGE remarked that they had large
amount Of business transact and they now mani
Testing great deal of interest in very small matter
He was in favor of the amendment which proposed an
appropriation for the repair Of the bridges the East
Branch, and not for the the Potomac SO
far he vas concerned he would dollar for
the repair OF that bridge He wished that whole struc
ture swept away for it disgrace to the country 1t
made matter how the Federal Government came into
possession of these bridges sufficient for him to
know that the Government had purchased them, and it
was its duty to keep them in repair The homey adage
ga stitch in time nne" applied to these bridges
for if they did not make this appropriation they
would be called upon to expend larger sum in future
The House OF Representatives had gone into spasms upon
the subject of repairing the bridges the Eastern
Branch OF the Potomac He surprised to find gentle
men who did not hesitate to vote appropria
tons of money for any sort Of claims that before
Congress- now refuse to appropriate three four thou
sand dollars to keep in repair works purchased by the
Government He did not with gentlemen who
had thrown out sneers upon the inhabitants of this city
lie never knew of any people nhabiting the capital Of
any Government, State Federal who did not always
come IN for the abuse of the legislators who assembled
there. 1t the in his own State, and in every
State in which he had BEEN The inhabitants who lived
at the seat of Government always made the
goats to receive the ovehowng of the bile of honorable
representatives who congregated there. Now he had
nothing in the conduct of the nha of the Dis
trct-he had seen nothing in any apphation they had
made to Congress, to merit the constant thrown
upon them by gentlemen upon this floor The District of
Columbia under the direction of Congress They
legsated for the District entirely and it their duty
in just and liberal spirit to pass laws for its benefit
without seizng every occasion tonsult the people He
hoped the committee would vote the appropriation
mended by the Committee Public Buildings; for the
Government owned these bridges, and therefore
obliged to repair them.
Mr.. STANTON OF Kentucky, submitted a few remarks,
when
Mr. SHELTON rose to reply to the remarks of Mr.
pnrcKnrHiDuE. He remarked that that gentleman had
spoken of the overlooking Of the bile of representatives
upon the inhabitants of this District Now he desired
put himself right before the House. the District Of Colum
bia and the country. He had had overlooking bile
nor had he intended to any disrespectfu language
towards the people of this District The position he
samed yesterday, and the one he assumed to-day,
tins that he had too much respect for the people of the
District to 90 for system which calculated TO foster
in their minds spirit of pauperism. He not dis
posed encourage them TO every session and ask
for pensions and bountes because he believed that such
would have tendency TO degrade the people.
This not overlooking of bile but it defence
Of just and noble principle. But what excited the in
temperate zeal Of the gentleman in advocating these grants
TO the people Of this Dstric Could he not treat with
decency and common respect who entertained differ
ent sentiments from HIMSELF Could not the gentleman
from Kentucky (Mr. BREcKENRIDGE and the gentleman
from Arkansas Mr. JoHSsoN) withhold their charges and
SANDERS against him and his State because he took the
liberty of independent freeman, and expressed his
sentiments here in the face of the people Of the District
Of Columbiag Yesterday the gentleman from Arkansas
hurled foul charges against his State and its institutions
contrary every rule of order which governed gentlemen
upon this floor He asked the permission Of the commit
tee 30 defend his State against those charges
The CHAIRMAN stated that the gentleman must
fine his remarks to the amendment pending
Mr. SHELTON gave notice that he would embrace the
first convenient opportunity to reply to the slanderous
charges made against his state and its representatives
He opposed the amendment before the committee upon
the principle that would do injustice to the people of
the District The gentleman from Connecticut (Mr.
CLEvELANp had said that because they had made these
bridges free by purchasing them and presented them
inhabitants Of the District therefore the Government
keep them in repair He would ask that gentleman if he
MIR c. should be liberal enough to present him MIR s.
with dwelling house, If il would be his Mr. Cs) duty
to keep il in repair lie repudated such logic that
advanced by the gentleman from Connecticut II they
had been generous and liberal TO the people of the District
heretofore, it why they should be demand
ed TO continue that beraty He here to advocate
the principle Of justice and demanded the representatives
here the principle Of justice and generosity
the people of the District Of Columbia.
Mr. BRECKENRIDGE said that the gentleman from
New Jersey altogether mistaken in supposng that he
intended reflection upon him in speaking Of members
Of the House of Representatives pouring out their super
6uous bile upon the citizens OF this District
Mr.. SHELTON. Is that respectful language to use
towards members Of this House
Mr.. BREcKENRIDGE The gentleman will be kind
4 ~