Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-08-27
"REMINISCENCES AS TO THE CONSTITUTIONAL
POWER OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS.

POWER OF INTERNAL IMPROVEMENTS
In the House Of Representatives, February Sth,
1917, Mr.. THOMAS WILSON, Of pennsylvania, re-
ported the following resolution from the Committee
on Roads and Canals
Resolred That the President of the United States be
requested take measures for making, far praet
cable and report to this House the next and every
subsequent session Of Congress- such roads, canals and
Improvements in water-courses are required in gene
raj system Of inland navigation and intercourse through
out the extent of the United States and the Territories
thereof best adapted TO facilitate the intercourse neces
sary for personal, commercial, and military purposes
At the same session bill was reported to set
aside the bonus and dividends payable by the United
States Bank-to be applied as fund for Internal
Improvement.
This bill was passed on the 9th Of February,
1917, by vote of Sc to 81, the following eminent
men voting for its passage: Messrs. CALHOUN,
FORSYTH, HUGER. JOHNSON of Kentucky, PIcK-
EMS, TAYLOR Of South Carolina, TELFAIR Of Geor-
gia, and WEBSTER; the following againstit: Messrs
RANDOLPH, TYLER, JOHNSON Of Virginia, r. P.
BARBOUR, HUGH NELSON, and THos NJ. NELSON
1t was on this subject that Mr.. CALHOUN made one
Of his most powerful speeches The bill passed the
Senate by vote Of 20 to 10, but was vetoed by
Mr. MADISON Messrs JAMES BARBOUR and Ar
INSTEAD 7. Mason, Senator'S from Virginia sup
ported the bill, as did also Mr.. LAcocK, Of Penn
sylyania, and Mr. Morrow, Of Ohio, well known
Republicans Of that day.
Upon an effort in the House to pass the bill
against the veto the vote stood 60 to &C. and con-
sequently failed for want Of two-thirds.
OF II 1. r r. -
was resumed, and on the 9th Of March the Hon.
HENRY ST.. GEORGE TUCKER, then Representa-
tive from the Frederick district Of Virginia, made
strong speech in favor Of applying the United States
Bank bonus and dividends as a fund for Internal
Improvement He fortified bis position by extracts
from the opinions of JEFFERSON, MADISON, Mon
ROE, and GALLATIN in reference to the powers of
the Government
In the House of Representatives, March l4th,
1878, the following resolution, reported from the
Committee On Roads and Canals, (of which Mr..
TUCKER was chairman,) was under consideration:
Resous That Congress has power, under the COnsti-
tuition appropriate money for the construction Of post
roads military and other roads, and Of canals and for
the Improvement of wa.er-courses.
Mr.. MILLS moved the indefinite postponement of
the subject. Mr.. HENRY ST. GEORGE TUCKER, of
Virginia, opposed the motion earnestly, and called
upon gentlemen to unite against it, that the oppor-
tunty might not be lost Of expressing the opinion
of the House. Mr.. LowNDEs, Of South Carolina,
also opposed il, and the motion was lost. The re-
solution was then adopted: Ayes 90, noes IS.
Among the old Republicans who voted for the
resolution the following may be named Messrs
FORSYTH, Of Georgia JoHssoE, or Kensucky,
LowNDEs, of South Carolina SAMUEL SMITH, of
Maryland and TUCKER, Of Virginia. Il was also
supported by Mr. LOUIS McLANE, of Delaware.
Mr.. LowNDEs then remarked that after the de-
cision to-day, there could be no doubt that large
majority Of the House entertained the conviction of
the power Of Congress to appropriate money for the
purpose OF constructing roads and canals The
sense Of the House being thus ascertained aid the
obstruction removed to any proposition embracing
that object be moved that the further consideration
OF the report lie on the table Agreed to and Mr..
TUCKER, Of Virginia, thereupon reported, from the
Committee of Roads and Canals, a bill making fur
ther appropriations for the Cumberland Road.