The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-10

louf yeafs. More than half million OF dollars have
been appropriated. and is not finished yet Under such
circumstances, think the better plan would be TO provide
smpy lor Reconnaissance All that is necessary, in the
nst place. TO ascertain the topography OF the country
An actual survey Tor railroad would take very long
WINE II thus amendment is TO amount 10 anything, all
you can ask is general reconnaissance There is but
short time allowed to accomplish the work. and within
that time y Will be impossible to make perfect survey
ana even we did make survey, thosewho TO invest
caPldi IoT Inc construction OF the road would afterwards
fesufvey H. do not, however, care hg about the
matter
Mr.. HUNTER do not rise to argue the merits OF
ihe proposition. There is no time for that But mere
wish 10 call the attention OF the Senate to the mode IN
~hlcn Is now proposed that shall eglsale III we
put all these matters OF controvered legislation upon the
general appropriation bills towards the close OF the
sion, when there is time to debate them, it not
ies that we are cOercing the minority and forcing them
either to adopt all the OF legislation the maor
may choose or else TO stop The wheels OF govern
men-one or The other! ask ii thus ls fair course Tor
one House 10 take towards the other! Is il fair course
Tor The majority 10 take in relation to the minority II
would be we'll 10 consider where this habit will lead u.s.
tor we cannot conceal from our notice the fact that II s
constantly increasing The end OF it will be, that the
whole legislation OF the country will be done upon the
appropriation bills know OF schemes behind this
aalersin controversy which have been bitterly disputed
that will probably be brought up and pat upon this army
appropriation bill The consequence will be, that when
the bills 60 down to the House OF Representatives, II the
Senate insist upon their amendments that body will
either be coerced 10 take the will OF the Senate IN rela
ton TO these matters. without any time to debate or
consider the amendments, it will result in the de-
feat OF the general appropriation bills Il seems 10 me
that this is dangerous system OF Legislation For my
self will vote for OF these propositions by which
tbs sought to add matters OF general LEGISLATION TO the
appropriation bills will vote for no proposition ex-
cept those which legtmatey belong to the approprla
ton bills, which, in this is for the support OF the
army.
Mr.. BU Tier. agree with my friend from Virginia,
and say now that this mode Of legislation is making
the Congress of the United States irresponsible des
potism OF naked majority. Sir, what guards have
minority If you egslae In this way by attaching favor
lite projects appropriation bills, and thus making those
bills the vehicles OF the projects and plans OF majority
every subjects The next thing will be probably that
we shall have proposition to incorporate the homestead
bill upon appropriation bill And suppose it were
to be offered, and majority TO insist upon IT, where
would it lead us! What security have under the
constitution of the United States, if arbitrary majority
appropriation bill 10 carry out their favorlte
projects willing 10 meet this a separate mea
sure; and say with my friend from Virginia, that do
not know but that might voc Tor It with slight mod
fcaton might vote for il, but will not vote for il in
this unusual and IN my opnon according to the spirit OF
the consultation, unconstitutional mode OF procedure
find that am here with my hands tied in regard 10 the
forms OF Legislation, if this mode be adopted.
= have, however other objections TO the amendment.
Why should we associate our engineers with the engi-
neeIs OF private companies making lont stock concern
what be done throwing ourselves into the arms OF
corporations, opening the mouth OF this immense gulf,
into which everything is 10 flow. know, sir, ma
ton 1t may be very agreeable 10 them to-day, but the
xuotine which was invented by one man. was used TO
make him victim, and IN turn they may become the
victims of this species OF legislation.
Mr. BELL | hope that objection, at all events, will
not be persisted in, because think there is manifest
propriey, this departing from the general rules
of legislation regard ackng important measures of
legislation upon appropriation bills, growing out OF the
deieat of the late Pacific railroad bill, which bill lis
friends earnestly hoped would have become law during
this session. But that large number OF the
members OF this body will insist further
nossances and surveys OF the different passes in the
mountains, that it is not likely that anything can be done
no great principle should be standing in the way of the
construction of the road. hope. therefore, that the
homo rabe senators from Virginia and South Carolina
will not persist ia their objection, unless they discover,
on close examination that there very vital principle
covered up the amendment offered by the from
Ohio from the Committee on Roads aud Canals.
do not, however, see what principle the senator
from Ohio offer this amendment. because he one
OF those gentlemen who the other day constrained,
on le ground OF high principles 10 exclude the appopri
alton OF dollar OF money out OF the public treasury
for the construction OF road within State Now, he
offers amendment appropra.ing Sl300oO for recon-
nossances and surveys not only IN State where the
road may be located but in many different States
there may be different routes proposed, and as the Pres
dent may think proper TO designate Now, II the honor
able senators from Virginia and South Carolina have not
thought of it, wish to warn them that this is the hrst
nsidous step the progress that was made towards
the establishment OF permanen system OF internal lm
.provemens, by the construction OF roads and canals
through the States. was the
ate $3.50 annually Tor surveys over The States, for
works OF internal Improvement, roads, and canals.
warn them OF this, for the purpose OF saying that they
do allow ii pass the principle will be established
that you appropriate money IN the States, and II will
be done with their assent II you appropriate money
the purpose OF discovering the best route by critical
and scientific surveys and explorations within the States
you can appropriate money Tor the purpose OF making
road on the which shall be ascertaned TO be suta-
bic At least the difference very slight IL is not
cessay when you appropriate money from the treasury
TO construct road within State that you shall assume
ursdicon because you always find corporations
ihorized by the State take charge of the work and to
apply your money TO the purpose whenever you vote 1t
and you need have nothing more 10 do with IT. The
principle is the in both cases. when you come TO
look at it, IN favor OF the amendment OF the hon.
orable senator from Ohio, and want TO find out this
OF Congress- at the present session. by the adoption oi
this amendment, of having the principle which was es-
labished the other day reversed or whether we may
hereafter expect any opposition TO the appropriation OF
money from the treasury for the purpose OF aiding in the
construction OF this great national railroad IN the States
| do not make these remarks invdiously but TO call
the attention OF honorable senators to the fact that there
is distinction in principle between the power 10 appro
pirate for surveys State, and Tor the construction OF
work of internal Improvement there. l hope that
the amendment will be ngrafted upon the bill not be-
cause, as general rule, is regular or convenient, OF
safe mode of legislation but because think this
is exgency And friend OF this great measure,
rejoiced to that there is some prospect OF an ina
tory step being taken, which will control the ultimate de-
csion of Congress upon this subject, and will lead to
the construction OF the road within reasonable time
Mr. BUTLER. ! understand very distinctly that the
honorable from Tennessee is perfectly willing TO
become endorser of any paper which looks towards
the completion OF this great railroad He would take II
blndfod. have no doubt, II You should present II 10
him in any form, be would endorse i. He would en-