The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-11-18

The power TO improve rivers, though may resemble
it, is not identical with that OF erecting lght-hous and
other guides. and national shelters for the mariner Light
houses, often so located 10 be OF little use the State
where situated. erected without acquiring the
soil and, IN nearly all cases. the jurisdiction il. so
that the government can exercise most ample CONTROL
and impose such restrictions and regulations il deems
necessary. But what Stale would surrender the prop
ery jurisdiction OF lis rivers and habors the
uncertain attention which the ever.varying action Of
Congress and federal authority might besow Its love
OF State Independence, and desire 10 supervise aud
troll its own property. must induce every State to prefer
to be the guardian of its affairs If Congress- with
and control lis bays. nets and rivers there can be
no limit its exercise OF authority. Ii may assume that
work is improvement for commerce which the
State, when constructed. might deem ruinous II might
by the exercise OF this power. draw the entire commerce
Of one State to another BY combinations trade might
b. forced from old to channels. the ruin and de-
structon Of the interests of more States. Public
works of great value to State might be obliterated OF
their business entirely diverted, by the exercise OF this
power, leaving the State authority crumbling monu-
ment Of decayed and Frustrated political power That
was not intended to confer such power srkDgIy IL
Illustrated BY the well authenticated fact that it dis
tinctly proposed to the convention which formed the
constitutions by one leading member and seconded by
other, TO create the Office OF Secretary OF Domestic At
fairs, whose duty it should be to attend 10 matters of
public police, the state OF agriculture and manufactures,
the opening OF roads and naugaioms and facilitating
through the United Sates without its receiving
the favor OF adoption by that body while the PROPOSE
ton to confer the power to provide for cutting sanas
where necessary. distinctly negatved by the strong
vote OF eight States TO three With this latter fell
the proposition to grant charters OF incorporation by Con-
gress.
The abolition by Congress of all custom. house fees
and duty ships and vessels, with permission to the
States to impose tonnage duty not 10 exceed certain
amount, while it would relieve commerce OF vexatous
impediments. would also enable each State provide
future those improvements and conveniences which the
exgences OF commerce in the States require This could
be by general law applicable to all the States.
While the power over lighthouses. beacons, buoys,
and public PIERS shelters for commerce, has been ex.
ercised from The foundation OF the government, in.
stance is found OF direct appropriation by Congress
improve the navigation of bay, inlet, river, for the
hrs hiry-three years OF the government Such appro
priaons first appear in light house bills, and the
penses charged lighthouse expenditures. Except
small sums for surveys, expenditures of this kind are
found unit, the close Of MIR. Monroe's administration.
On the elevation Of hi, successor the broad power over
internal Improvements assumed and exercised In
mense expenditures were projected and to guard against
an empty treasury, under it's burdens, taxes
were proposed and authorized. A desire of sudden
wealth and aggrandzement the expense of the national
treasury widely manifested. and sought qualification
he nj .fta tha al 81
General Jackson the exercise of this power was arrested
by veto, which met the appreciation OF his constituents
In adverng to this subject. in his annual message in
1884, he says:
When the bill authorizing subscription the part of
the United States for stock in the Maysye and Lexington
Turnpike Company passed the houses been
reported, by the committees internal improvements
bills containing appropriations TOR such Objects inclusive
OF those for the Cumberland road and for harbors and
lighthouses the Of about 8O6 900 Ia this
included authority the Secretary of the
Treasury subscribe for stock Of crcnt companies
great and the residue principally for the direct
construction of roads by this government In addition
these projects which had been presented the houses
under the sanction and Of their respective
committees on internal improvements, there were then
pending before the committees and In memorials presented,
but referred, different projects for works of a simsr
character the expense of which be estimated with
certainty, but must have exceeded Slo0 100000"
These extraordinary projects all arrested by his
veto and although similar authority assumed in the
Wabash river BILL from which be withheld his signature,
this de and boundess power has been since considered
completely negatived Whoever cherisbes the State
governments worthy OF preservation will resis, it's
revival and seek 10 curla the operations OF the federal
government, and limit lis expenses Instead OF increasing
be will seek 10 diminish the number OF it's agents and
their functions. Instead of expanding its powers by
L.
pliciiy and purity. He will resist all encroachments
upon the powers OF the States and its centra sion at
the federal head He will steadily and firmly oppose all
increase OF power and patronage both legislative and
ecuve The too liberal exercise OF powers by Congress
and the executive has strong tendency TO increase
those conflicts for political ascendency which 90 often
sever the most sacred ties, and frequently endanger
the public morals aud peace.
No system OF internal improvements has been devised
which is free OF difficulties and hazards Nature has
conferred advantages upon one State which she has
serious obstacle TO the formation Of federal compact
which finally formed by surrounding State authority
with numerous guards, and limiting the powers OF the
national government TO enumerated objects Among
these do not find power equalze these advantages
or to create others That would be doing more for one
State than other which would excite jealousy and dis
content, II not violence, al injustice. After State. by
her energy, and the of her own MEANS
he fiono nj hero hn. a..