Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-28
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT POWER
COTEMPORA HISTORY


INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT POWER
COTEMPORANEOUs HISTORY.
II is matter Of congratulations that so many
of the leading statesmen, as well as journals of
the democratic party, have taken decided ground
against the constitutionality of system of in
ternal improvements. We believe that the SEN
timents of the illustrious line of democratic
Presidents, from Jefferson to Pierce, will be
found to have been and to be against the ex
istence of such power, and to accord in this
respect with those of the democratic party now.
AT present we are not inclined to argue the
question upon principle; but to examine it by
the light Of cotemporaneous exposition.
1t is fashionable for wing journals to parade
the authority Of great names who have, at for
mer periods in our history, while members of
the democratic party, maintained the existence
of such power. In reference to such author
find all the comfort which they can afford them !;
believing, as we do, that when examined in the
light Of the circumstances in which the indyid
uals quoted were placed at the time, their sen
timents are unimportant in determining the ex-
istence of the power claimed by Congress.
Their sentiments are clearly not authorized ex-
positions of constitutional power nor are they
any further worthy of regard than as the rea-
sons assigned in their support or the general
soundness of the opinions of those expressing
them, warrant presumption in favor of their
correctness. But if it is found that there are
facts Of great value connected with the history
Of the Constitution itself, of which these emf
nent members of our party were not aware, but
Of which we are now apprized, then we have
surer data than they for forming correct opin.
ion; and if with equal capacity to judge, the
statesman of the present has in this respect
great advantage over one of the past age.
In this article we propose to allude to por-
ton of our constitutional history, connected
with portion of our congressional annals,
which have been exhumed by our distinguished
contemporary, the antiquary Of the press--the
National Lateligencer.
That journal states, that the report Of the
committee on roads, in the session ofl8ls, upon
motion Of Mr. Lowndes, was so modified as to
read thus:
RESOLVED, That Congress has power under the
Constitution TO appropriate money for the con-
struction of post roads, military and other roads
and Of canals, and for the improvement OF water
courses"
We do not doubt, had railroads been in
vogue at that period, the power to construct
them would have been expressly included
This resolution, thus sweepingly claiming this
great power, would cover all the improvements
which have ever been initiated by the federal
government, as well as the great Pacific scheme
now proposed.
1t is most unfortunate for the theory of the
resolution, rs we'll as for the latitudinous con-
struction which it involves, that the very powers
so expressly asserted, were denied to Con-
gress by the convention which formed the Con-
stitution.
The power "to establish post and military
roads" was early proposed-but was not re-
ported upon favorably to either by the commit
tee to whom all propositions we're referred for
consideration. In the first reported form Of
the Constitution, the power to establish post
offices" stood alone, without the addition Of
the proposal for roads, either post or military.
When the clause 9 to establish post offices"
thus reported, came under consideration, it was
moved to add to it the words " and post roads"
1t is singular taken in connection with the
broadly asserted power for econstructing" all
kinds of roads, even this proposition was adopt
ed by the close vote of sir TO fire.
No proposal was made to add military and
other roads, and Of canals according to the
assertion Of power contained in the resolution
The Constitution having been amended in
many respects upon consideration of each ar
ticle by itself, was again referred to commit
tee to be "digested." After the digest of the
plan was reported, and only three days before
the final adjournment of the convention, DR..
Franklin proposed to add at the end of the ar
ticle "to establish postofices and post roads,
ss it then stood, the power ito procide for cut.
ting canals, rhere deemed necessary"
Mr.. Sherman objected, that the expense
would fall on the United States, and the bene
fits would accrue to the place where the canal
was cut
Mr.. Wilson said, instead of an expense
they may be made source of revenue"
Mr.. Madison suggested an enlargement of
the motion into power to grant charters of
incorporation, where the interest of the United
States might require, and the Legislative provi-
sions of individual States may be incompetent
HIS primary object ,ras, ho,cerer, to secure an
easy communication bettceen the States, ,ohich
the free intercourse, no,o to be opened, seemed to
cal for The political obstacles being remoeed
remoral 81 the natural ones, as far as possible
orgh TO tollom.
1t is obvious that the argument of Mr.. Madi
son, in favor of granting this magnificent mower
70 Congress, was just the same which was urged
in 1918, and now, in favor ofits existence, and
10 demonstrate the expediency Of its exercise