Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-09-10
REMINIscENCEs.
The Pooers Of Congress IN regard to Internal
Improvements.

4
the bill entitled "An apart and pledge certain
funds for internal improvements for constructing roads
and canals, and improving the navigation of water
courses In order to facilitate promote and give security
to internal commerce among the several States and
render more easy and less expensive the and
visions for the Defence" with his objections
Among others, Mr. NJ. urged the following:
The legislative powers vested in Congress are spec
nc and enumerated in the eighth section of the first art
Gle OF the Constitution and il does appear that thu
power proposed to be exercised by the bill is among thu
enumerated powers, thait falls, by any just nerpre
tation, within the power to make laws necessary
proper for carrying into execution those other power
vested by the Constitution in the Government Of thu
United States"
lie did not consider that "the power to regulate com
merce among the several States included "a power t,
construct roads and canals" &C., the clause t
provide for the common defence and general welfare
these would embrace every object and act within tn,
purview of legislative trust.
"The constitution and laws of the several States in al
cases not specifically exempted might be superseded by
laws OF Congress-"
Mr.. M. urged, further that
" general power to construct roads and canals and
to improve the navigation of with the train
of powers incident thereto be by
the assent of the States in the mode provided in the bill
cannot confer the power The only in which the
consent and cesson of particular States extend the
power Of Congress are those specified and provided for
4 in the Constitution
Mr.. MADISON concluded his objections thus:
81 am not of the great Importance of roads
and canals and the improved navigation Of
and that power in the National Lcgisatureto provide
for them might be exercised with signal advantage the
general prosperity But seeing that such power
expressly given by the Constitution and believing
cannot be deduced from any part of it without an
admissible latitude of construction and reliance
sufficient precedens believing ALSO that the
success of the Constitution depends denitiye part
ton of powers between the General Government and the
State Governments, and that adequate landmarks
would be left by the constructive extension Of the
of Congress proposed in the BILL have no option but
to withhold my signature from it. cherishing the hope
that It's beneficial objects may be attained by resort
for the necessary to the wisdom and virtue
IN the nation which established the Constitution in its
actual FORM and providently marked in the nstru-
ment itself safe and practicable mode Of improving it.
as experience might suggest"
In his first annual message December @ 1917, Presi-
dent MONROE thus refers the subject of Internal Inn
provement:
"When we consider the vast extent of territory within
the United States the great amount and value of its
ductons, the connexon Of its parts and other circum
stances which their prosperity and happiness depend
we cannot fail to entertain high of the advantage
TO be derived from the facility which may be afforded
the intercourse between them, by of good roads
and canals. Never did country Of such extent
offer equal inducements to improvements of this kind
nor ever were consequences of such magnitude involved
the last session. and there may be disposition to revive
it OF present have brought it into view for the purpose
OF communicating my sentiments very important
circumstance connected with it. with that freedom and
candor which regard for the public interest and pro-
per respect for Congress require difference Of opn-
ion has existed from the first formation Of our constitu
ton to the present time among most Heightened and
yrtuous citizens respecting the right of Congress
tabsh such system of Improvement Taking into view
the trust with which am honored, it would be i'm
proper after what has passed. that this discussion should
be revived with uncertainty Of my opinion respecting
the right. Dsregardng early Impressions have be-
slowed on the subject all the deberaton which its great
importance and just sense of my duty required and
the result is settled conviction in my mind that Con-
do not possess the right 1t is contained any
Of the specified powers granted Congress-
slider incidental to or necessary viewed the
most liberal SCALE for carrying into effect any of the
powers which specifically granted communicating
this result cannot resist the obligation which feel to
Congress the proprety of recommending the
States adoption of amendment TO the constitution
which shall give TO Congress the right in question In
cases Of doubtful construction especially of such vital
interest," 1t COMFORTS with the and origin of our
republican institutions, and will contribute much to pre-
serve the to apply to our constituents for explicit
grant OF the power We may confidently rely that If it
appears to their satisfaction that the power is necessary
1t will be granted"
In the Senate, the 9th Of December 1917 the Hon.
JAMES BARBOUR, of Virginia, submitted proposition to
provide for amending the Constitution of the United
States as to confer Congress regulated power to
construct roads and canals improve water &C.,
the funds to be apporoned among the several States in
proportion to the ratio Of representation in Congress
Mr. II. ST. GEORGE TUCKER of Virginia, on the same
day, moved the following resolution
Resorsd That the President of the United States be
requested to to be laid before the House Of Repre-
sentayes information of what roads have been made or
are in progress under the Executive authority of the
United States the States and Territories through which
they pass intended pass the periods when they
were ordered to be made and how far they have been
executed.
In the House Of Representatives, December To- 1917
Mr.. HENRY ST. GEORGE TUCKER, from the committee to
which referred that part Of the Presidents message
relating to the subject Of Internal improvements made
long and elaborate report concluding with the follow
ing resolution;
RESOLVED That in order to promote and give security
70 the internal commerce among the several States to
facilitate the safe and expeditions transportation of the
mails by the Improvement of posroads with the assent
OF the respective States to render easy and less
expensive the and provisions necessary for the
common Defence by the construction Of military roads,
with the like assent Of the respective States and for such
other internal improvements may be within the cons
tutiona power Of the General Government il is expe-
dent that the to be paid to the United States by the
zOth section Of the act TO incorporate the subscribers TO
the Bank OF the United States and the dividends which
sha arise from their shares in its capital stock be
sututed rs a fund for internal Improvement
The Inelgencer Of that date assured tho public that
an attempt win be made to upon the subject OF in
ternal improvement in manner different from that
suggested in the Executive message. This report Mr.
fuckers is no doubt the result of solemn conviction
on the minds Of the members of the committee on the