The Cedar County advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Iowa) 1853-1856, 1853-12-17

safety of other interests Of their COM
mercs may require. If that can be re-
garded as system, which in the expert
ence of more than thirty years, has at no
time so commanded the public judgment
as to give it the character Of settled
policy, which, though it has produced
some works Of conceded Importance, has
been attended with, an expenditure quite
Idisproprotionate to their value, and has
resulted in squandering large sums upon
objects which have answered no valuable
purpose. the interest of all the states re-
qulres that 1t should be abandoned unless
hopes may be INDUCED for the future that
find no warrant in the past.
With an anious desire for the compile
ton of the works which are regarded by
all good citizens with sincere interest, |
have deemed it my duty to ask at you
hands deliberate reconsideration OF the
question, with hope that, for the sub
stautial interest OF the country, your WIS.,
dom may prove equal TO the task of de-
signing and maturing plan which, il APP
Piled 10 the subject, may promise some-
thing better than consralnt, the suspen-
sion OF the power OF local enterprise, the
exciting of warm hopes and the disap-
pointment Of cherished expectations. In
expending the appropriations made by
the last Congress, several cases have
arisen in relation to works for the i'm
proyement of harbors, which involve the
question as to the right of soil and juris-
dlCtion, and have threatened conflict be-
tween the authority of the state and gen.
erai governments. The RICH, to construct
break-wa,er, jeuy or draw, would seem
necessarily to carry with ii the power to
protect from the injury caused by the pre-.
sence of such constructions. This can
only be efectually done BY having iuris-
dlction over the soil, but no clause in the
constitution is found on which to res, the
claim OF the L. S. to exercise jurisdiction
over the soil Of state, except that con-
tanned IN the eighth section of the first
article OF the constitution. 1t is then SUBJ
United whether In all cases where con-
structlons are to be erected by the gener-
al government, the right of the soil should
MOI first be obtained, and Legislative pro-
visions be made to cover such cases. For
the progress made with the construction
of roads within the territories, as proyi-
ded for In the last Congress, | refer YOU
to the report OF the Secretary Of War.
There is one subject of domestic ma
ure, which from intrinsic Importance.
and the many interesting questions OF
future policy which it involves cannot fail
to receive your early attention. +, | allude
TO the means OF communication OF which
different parts Of the wide expance Of our
country are 70 be placed in close connec-
ton, Tor the purpose both of defense and
commercial intercourse, and more espe-
claliy such as appertaln to the commune
catica Of the great divisions Of the Union,
which lie On the opposite sides of the
10 ky Mountains. That the govern
ment has not been unmindful of this here
toiore, is apparent from the aid it has af-
torded, through appropriations for mail
facilities and other purposes. But the
general subjec, will now present itself I'M
der an aspect more imposing and more
purely national by each Of the surveys
ordered aud now IN process of completion
Tor communication by railroad across the
continent and other places within the Inn
its OF the United States The power to
declare war. to raise and support an ar
my, 10 provide and maintain navy and
10 press instructions and rcpel invasions
was conferred upon Congress-.
As means 10 provide for the common
defense and to protect the territories
and population, now wide spread and
vastly multiplied, as incident to and m
dispens.ble for the exercise Of this power
IT must b. nsc s,ary to construct military
roads and protect harbors of refuge
To appropriations by Congress for such
objects no sound objections can be raised
Happily Tor our couauy, It's peaceful and
rapidly Increasing population impose up
on Us no urgent duly Tor preparation and
leaves but few trackless deserts between
assalable points; and patriotic people are
ever ready and generally able 10 protect
themselves. The enterprise aud energy
of our people are steadily and boldly
struggling TO supply the rest All expe-
rlence afirms that where private enter
prise viii avail, it Is most wise for the
General Government 70 leave to that IN
diyiaual wa,chfulnrss the location and
extentlon OF all means OF communication.
TIE surveys alluded to''were designed 10
ascertain the most practicable and ecoaom-
zeal route for a railroad from the Missis-
slppl to the Pacific Parties are now 10
Inc field ma king explorations where pre-
vious examinations mad not supplied sui.
fcient data and ,where there were the
best reasons to nope the object sought
might be- gained. The means being al.
most limited it is not to be expected that
all the accurate knowledge will be OBJ.
lalnet, but il Is to be hoped that much
and important information will be added
70 the stock previously possessed and that
partial, j. not full, reports will be receiy.
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