The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-01-17

OF policy TO the extent Of the excess would have the
same dsieteIicus elects upon it's prosperity, The
inlarous influences would result from and bunders
IN The plan OF the work. from extravaganza and
rupton IN the expenditure OF the money Hence each To-
cally and every citizen and person interested therein,
would have direct and personal interest in the adop-
uon oil wise plan, and IN securing strict economy and
entire hdelty In the expenditure OF the money. While
upon The rivers the plan OF operations would not be
direct and simple In the OF harbors, yet
even there not perceived that any serious nconveni-
ence or obstacle would arise 10 The success OF the system
would be necessary that the law which shall grant
he consent OF Congress TO the imposition OF the du-
lies shall also give like CONSENT in conformity with the
same provision OF the constitution, that where the river
to be improved shall form the boundary OF, or be stu
sed IN, two States, such States may enter into
compact with each Other by which they may under their
joint authority levy the duties and improve the navga-
ton.
In this manner Pennsylvania, Delaware and New
Jersey could enter into compact Tor the improvement
oil the Delaware river by which each would appoint one
commissioner, and the three commissioners constitute
board which would levy the duties, prescribe the mode
OF their collection, devise the plan OF The improvement
and superintend the expenditure OF the money The Blk
States bordering the Ohio river, in like manner, could
each appoint commissioner, and the six constitute
board for the Improvement OF the navigation OF that river
from Pittsburg TO the Mississippi The plan could
be applied TO the Mississippi by which the nine States
bordering upon that stream could each appoint COM
missioner and the nine form board for the removal OF
snags and other distractions the channel from the Falls
OF ST. Anthony to the Gull OF Mexico There seems 10
be no difficulty therefore, in the execution OF the plan
where The water-course lies in two more States, or
forms the boundary thereof in whole or in part; and
where the river is entirely within the limits Of any
State, like the Illinois Alabama. il may be improved
in such manner the legislature may prescribe, subject
only 10 such conditions and limitations may be con-
tanned in the act Of Congress giving lis consent All the
necessities and difficulties upon this subject seem to have
been oreseen and provided for in the clause OF the
constitution, wherein it is declared, in effect, that with
the consent Of Congress. tonnage duties may be levied
Tor Inc improvement OF rivers and harbors and that The
several States may enter into compacts with each other for
that purpose whenever shall become necessary subject
only TO such rules Congress shall prescribe for the reg
ulaton OF commerce.
Ii only remains for me to notice some OF the objections
which have been urged to this system. Il has been said
that tonnage duties taxes upon the commerce OF the
country which must be paid in the end by the consumers
OF the articles bearing the burden do not feel DISPOSED
the is true of all the duties TOLLS and charges OF all
public works. whether constructed BY government or
individuals. The State OF New York derives revenue
OF more than two millions of dollars year from her
canals. Of course this is tax upon the commerce OF
the country. and borne by those who interested in
and benefited by it, This tax is blessing or burden,
dependent upon the fact whether has the effect to d.
mnish or increase the cost OF transportation we could
not have enjoyed the benefit OF the canal without the
payment OF the tolls, and if BY its construction and the
payment the cost OF transportation has been reduced to
oneienth the sum which we would have been compelled
to have paid without it, who would not be willing to
make still further contribution 10 the security and ac.
reduced in still greater ratio The tolls upon
canal are tax upon commerce, yet We cheerfuy submit
to the payment for the reason that they were ndspensa
BILE TO the construction oil great work, which has had
the effect to reduce the cost OF transportation between the
lakes and the Mississippi far below what II would have
been il the canal had not been made.
All the charges On the fourteen thousand miles OF rail-
road in operation in the different States of this
ULon are just many taxes upon commerce and travel,
yet we do not repudIae the whole railroad system on
That account nor object 10 the payment OF such reasona
BILE charges necessary defray the expenses oil
constructing and operating them But il may be said that
II al The railroads and canals built with funds from
the national treasury and were then thrown open 10 the
81 and travel free of charge the OF
anspo tation would be less than they Ii may
be that the rates OF transportation would be less but
would our taxes be reduced thereby No matter who
ia in,rused with the construction OF the works.
body must foo, the bill II the federal government
derake 10 make railroads and canals, and river and har
Dor Improvements, somebody must pay the expenses 10
order TO meel this enlarged expenditure. il would be
cesszy 10 augment the revenue by increased taxes upon
the commerce oil the country The whole volume OF
revenue which now fills and oveilows the national
treasury. with the exception OF the small item resulting
from the sales OF public lands, is derived from system
o iaxes mposed upon commerce and collected through
the machinery OF The custom houses No matter, there
fore, whether these works made by the federal
crnmeni, or by stimulating and combining local and in
dv,dusl enterprise under State authority in any event
they remain lax upon commerce TO The extent OF the
expenditure.
That system which will insure the construction OF the
Improvements upon the best plan and al the smallest
cosi will prove The least oppressive TO the tax payer and
the mos, useful TO commerce II requires argument
TO prove-fof every days experience teaches ns-that
public works OF every description can be made much
smaller cost by private enterprise, or by the local
thones directly interested in the Improvement, than
when constructed BY the federal government. Hence
nasmuch the expenses OF constructing river and har
Dor improvements must under either pian be betrayed
by tax upon in the hrs instance, and finally
upon the whole people interested IN that commerce. am
oil the opinion that the burdens would be less under the
system referred TO in the than by appropriations
iron the federal treasury Those who not to have
understood the difference have attempted TO excite preu
dice against this plan for the Improvement OF navigation,
by comparing II TO the burdens imposed upon the nay-
CATION oil the Rhine, the Elbe the Oier and other rivers
running through the German States. The people
siding upon those rivers did not complain that they
required pay duties for the Improvement OF their nav
CATION. Such not the fact. No duties imposed
Tor any such purpose. No Improvements in The navgs
lion made or contemplated by those who ex-
acted the tolls Taxes extoried IRON The navigating
interest by the petty soveregns through whose domin
ions the rivers for the purpose OF deraying the
penses OF the pomp, and ceremonies and foes OF vicious
and unnecessary burdens were imposed on navigation
without expending any portion OF the money for lis pro-
lection and improvement
Their complaints Just They should have pro-
tested if they had lived under government where the
voice OF the people could be heard, against The payment
OF any higher tolls than we're necessary for the
Improvement OF The navigation, and have insisted that
the funds collected should be applied 10 that purpose and
other In short, plan similar TO the one now pro-
posed would have been full and complete redress OF
all their grievances upon this subject.
In conclusion will state that my object IN addressing
you this comm is TO invite your especial aiten-
lion TO so much OF the Presidents message relates to
the legislature shall assemble either IN special general
sesson the subject may be distinctly submitted TO their
con Liberation for such action the great interests OF
commerce may demand.