The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1854-02-02

4
tons from Alabama for lands for the purpose
of constructing railroads in that State, Tor which
he reported a single bill, embracing various
propositions which, on his motion, WAS re-
ferred to the Committee of the Whole
Mr.. Odds, from the Post Office Committee
reported bill further modifying the rates Of
postage, and for other purposes; which was
referred to the Committee of the Whole
Mr.. Upham, from the same committed, re-
ported a bill oonfering the franking privilege
on the Superintendent of the Coast Survey and
| his Assistant
Mr.. Mace moved to add the Secretary of
the Smithsonian Institute
Mr.. Olds was in favor of abolishins the
franking privilege altogether
Mr.. Mace advocated his motion. The Smith
sonian Institution was designed to disseminate
information, and should possess all possible
| conveniences.
Mr.. Jones' of Tennessee, said the Smithso-
man Institution was no part of the Govern.
ment, and there could be no reason for confer
ring upon it this privilege. 1t would be q bad
precedent
| Mr.. Upham explained that the Coast Survey
Office now avais itself of this privilege, through
the Treasury Department. and it was designed
SIMPLY to relieve that Department Of the bur
den of this duty. The Secretary Of the Treas
|
this law. Mr.. U. thought tho people derived
great benefits from the Thanking privilege, as
used by those permitted to practice it. 1t ia
cilitated the diffusion of knowledge in a most
admirable manner. He also highly eulogized
the Coast Survey and the National Observable
ry, with It's collateral departments
| Mr.. Mace withdrew his amendment relative
to the Smithsonian Institution
The bill was read three times and passed
Mr.. Hamilton from the Committee on the
District, reported a resolution to provide for
the continuance Of tho work on the Washing
ton Aqueduct which was referred to the Com
mittee of the Whole
Mr.. Bssell, from the Committee on Military
Affair.", reported back the Senate resolution,
authorizing the President of the United States
to confer the title of Lieut.. General, by brevet,
for military services; which was referred to
the Committee Of the Whole.
The House then resolved itself into Commit
tee OF the Whole, Mr. Orr in the chair.
Mr.. Oliver, Of Missouri, delivered speech
on that portion of the message relating to ton
mage duties. He at first could not determine
how to understand that portion of the message,
but it had been made clear by Mr. Keitt of
South Carolina, who ayowed the purpose of
the President
A change in the policy of the Government
was contemplated; and what was the apology
therefor? The unconstitutionality of the pres
ent plan "a plan that had been sanctioned by
the first Congress The President had never
been known to vote a dollar for the improve
ment of river or harb0r.
He now cast a burst Of light upon the coun-
try-that which has boon sanctioned by Wash
ington and all the fathers of the Republic, and
by the uniform practice Of tho country. The
President reminded him of boy of IA On
rainy day, with his fathers coat and hat on !
Such mon attempt to repudiate the well tried
policy "Great God" said the Speaker " |
feel Inundated ~
But they say the present policy is irregular
and vscillating Whose fault is that, Mans
work must be imperfect. 'iod's oaly il perfect
But the impcrfectness is owing TO the conduct
of certain parties.
The Wing party has always done its doty
He who now recommends tonnage duties il
responsible for the imperfections OF the plan.
He never voted dollar for an improvement.
Like terrapin, he has always drawn his head
IN when such measure required his aid.
Politicians, statesmen, and sectionalism, had
thwarted good plan. The remedy proposed
by the President, and supported by distin-
guished Senator, was worse than the evils they
imagine they see. He named nobody but they
might know whom no meant. He was about
80 high Showing how high,) and so broad, land
he showed the breadth also) He had recon-
mended tonnage duties to the Executive Of his
State
He had read the speech and the letter of
the gentleman, Whose Dimensions he again de-
scribed) and he was here to repudate them,
and to show that they were untenable. 1t was
assumed by that gentleman that tonnage du;
ties were originally designed and looked TO
from which to derive means Of improving riv-
ers and harbors by the States, with the sane
ton of Congress.
IL this were true, Congress might refuse to
improve the rivers and harb)rs and at the
same time withhold its permission to the States.
The power to regulate commerce was in the
Constitution, and to improve rivers and har-
bors was essential to this. The speaker en-
tered into the constitutional question, and
showed that, although State may, with the
consent Of Congress impose tonnage duties
the power to do so for this purpos, was not
given.
the States had not asked the consent Of
Congress; and yet it is proposed in the bill
| alluded TO, that nine States on the Ohio and
Mississippi rivers shall form leagac to accom-
plish this purpose. This is a violation Of the
Constitution even oxpounded by Mr. Calhoun
himself Mr. Oliver here quoted from report
of the Memphis Convention, written by Mr..
Calhoun, and commented thereon.
| Senate, January 26, 1854.
Mr.. Sebastian presented the credentials of
the Hon. A. ]. Brown, Senator elect from the
State of Mississippi for six years from the
fourth of March last. Mr.. Brown appeared
| and WAS sworn