The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1853-12-15

progress thus far, and its high promise
of great and general usefulness.
l have omitted to ask your favorable
consideration for the estimates of works
of local character in twenty-seyen Of
the thirty-one States, amounting to one
million seven hundred and ffty-fourl
thousand FIVE hundred dollars, because,
independently of the grounds which have
so often been urged against the appiica-
ton of the federal revenue for works OF
this character, inequality with consequent
Injustice is inherent in the nature of the
proposition, and because the plan has
proved entirely inadequate to the accom-
plishment of the objects sought.
The subject of internal improvements,
claiming alike the interest and good will
of all, has, nevertheless, been the basis
of much political discussion, and has
stood as deep craven line of division
between statesmen of eminent ability and
patriotism. The rule of strict construc-
.tion of all powers delegated by the States
to the general government has arrayed
itself, from time to time, against the rap
id progress of expenditures from the ma
tional treasury on works of local char
acter within the States. Memorable as
an epoch in the history of this subject is
the message of President Jackson, of the
9th of May, 1880, which met the system
of internal improvements in its compara-
tive infancy; but so rapid had been its
growth, that the projected appropriations
in that year .or works OF this character
had risen to the alarming amount OF more
than one hundred millions Of dollars.
In that message the President admit
ted the difficulty of bringing back the
operations Of the government to the con-
struction OF the constitution setup in 1888,
aud marked it as an admonitory proof
Of the necessity of guarding that instru-
ment with sleeploss vigilance against the
authority Of precedents, which had not
the sanction OF its most plainly defined
powers.
Our government exists under a written
compact between sovereign States, unit
lug for specific objects, and with specific
grants to their general ageut. If then in
the progress of its administration there
have been departures from the terms and
intent oi the compact, it is, and viii ever be,
proper to refer back to the fixed standard
which our fathers left Us, and to make a
stern effort to conform our action to it
1t would seem that the fact Of princi-
pie having been resisted from the first
by many OF the wisest and most patriotic
men of the republic, and policy having
provoked constant strife, without arriving
at a conclusion which can be regarded as
satisfactory to its most earnest advocates,
shonld suggest the inquiry whether there
may not be plau likely to be crowned
by happier results. Without perceiving
any sound distinction, or intending to as
.sert any principle as opposed to improve
lnents needed for the protection Of in
ternal commerce, which does not equally
apply to improvements upon the seaboard
Tor the protection of foreign commerce, /
submit to you, whether it may not be
safely anticipated that, if the policy were
once settled against appropriations by the
general government for local improve
meDts for the benefit of commerce, local
ities requiring expenditures would not, by
modes and means clearly legitimate and
proper, raise the fund necessary for such
constructions ae the safety or other In
tyrests Of their commerce mi ght require.
If that can be regarded as a system, " hich
NJ the experience of more than thirty years,
has at 10 time so commanded the public
judgment as to give it the character of a
settled policy,-which, though it has pro-
3aced some works of conceded importance,
has been attended with an expenditure
quite disproportionate to their. value, =
and has resulted in squandering large
sums upon objects which have answered
no valuable purpose,-the interests of all
the States require it be abandoned, un-
less hopes may be INDUCED for the future
which fnd no warrant in the past.
With an anxious desire for the COM
pletion of the works which are regarded
by all good citizens with sincere interest,
l have deemed it my duty to ask at your
hands deliberate consideration of the
question, with hope that, animated by
desire to promote the permanent and SUBJ
stautial interests of the country. your
wisdom may prove equal to the task OF
deyising and maturing plan, which, ,ap-
piled to this subject, may promise some
thing better than constant strife, the sus-
pension of TIE powers of local enterprise,
the exciting OF vain hopes, and the dis
appointment Of cherished expectation.
In exPending the appropriations made
by the last Congress, several cases have
arisen il relation to works for the i'm
progemeDI Of harbors, which involve
question as to the right Of soil and juris-
oictieB, ANA have threatened conflict be-
tween the authority of the State and gen.
eral governments. The right to construct
a breakwater, jetty. or dam, would seem,
necessarily, to carry with 1.-THE power to
protect and preserve such constructions.
This can only be efectually done by
having jurisdiction over the soil. But no
clause of the constitution is found, on
which to rest the claim of the Uaited
q. -. i o-,or al