Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-01-21

tionay well the expedency Of internal improve
ments by the General Government underwent full dis
cussion in the House. and the principle was deliberately
sanctioned by naores in both branches. subscrp-
ton Of one million Of dollars authorized to the stock
Of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company; grant
Of public lands to aid the State Of Ohio in making
nal from the Miami river to Lake Erie and four hun
red thousand granted to the State of Ala
bams be applied to improvements by canal other
wise on the Tennessee river bill also introduced
into the Senate and ultimately became law appro-
pratng 900 for constructing breakwater in De-
aware Bay. The construction of military road in
Maine was also authorized, and $15,0 900 appropriated
for the purpose"
Here is the extent of Mr.. ADAMs's "great sys
TEN of internal improvement" hold up lately in the
House of Representatives as something monstrous
and to be avoided as very alarming and consolidating
Mr. ADAMS retired on the Sd of March, 1929,
after reduction of the public debt by an amount
of over thirty millions of dollars. More than five
millions had been appropriated during his term to
solace the declining years of the surviving officers
of the Revolution, and million and half to ex-
tnguish Indian titles. The expenditures for the
support of the Government did not in his day
average thirteen millions annually!
Now comes the Administration of President
JACKSON, during which it is contepded by modern
orators the '.great system of unconstitutional ap-
preparations for internal improvement was broken
up" " . .
| The twenty first Congress assembled the 7th De-
cember, 1929. The Republican Democratic majority
was decided. ..' ..
"The question of internal improvements by the Gene
! ~
of this Congress- when it appeared that the friends of
the system recollect built mp in Mr. Monroes last term
retained majority in both Houses Among the bills
passed at this session authorizing subscrip
ton to the stock of the Maysvie and Lexington Road
Company in Kentucky. 1t passed the House by vote
of 1O2 to S5 and the Senate "A to 49, After retaining
the bill eight days, the President returned it to the
House, on the 9th of May, 1880, with his objections,
as set forth in his message Of that date"
Upon trial in the House to pass the bill in spite Of
the veto the vote stood nnesx to nnetytwo and the
measure failed for want Of two-thirds vote.
On the 29th May, the House took up several bills
ang to internal improvements which originated in the
Senate, and Notwithstanding the veto Of the Maysvile
road bill, passed, by large majortes, three acts viz:
first, authorizing subscription the Washington Turn
pike Company secondly, subscription to the Louisville
and Portland Canal Company and, thirdly, approprat
ing money for lighthouses improving harbors directing
surveys, &c. The first bill was vetoed and returned to
the Senate and upon vote to pass it, Notwithstanding
the yeso it failed for want of two-thirds vote-yeas
q, nays IT,"
The other bills retained by the President until
the next session. He had however, sanctioned bin
for continuing the Cumberland road, and making other
appropriations for roads and surveys and another for
the Improvement of harbors and rivers both of which
were branches IN the general system Of Improvement The
former bill he approved with qualification by referring
to message sent to the House, together with the BILL
wherein he declared that, section appropriating
eight thousand dollars for the road from Detroit Chi
cago might be construed to authorize the application of
the appropriation continue the road beyond the Terri
tory of Michigan he desired be understood having
approved the bill With the understanding that the road
not TO be extended beyond the limits Of the SAID Tsrrory
At the second session of the Congress the subject
Of internal Improvement again agtated. The Pres-
dent returned the two bills above mentioned retained,
with his Veto Mr. HEMpHILL, of Pennsylvania, friend
of the Administration introduced report adverse to the
Presidents views and this followed up by several
bills for internal improvements. The first max
ing appropriations for the improvement of harbors and
removing distractions in rivers It passed the House by
vote Of 1856 yeas to SO nays and the Senate 2s to
Democratic bodies, be it remembered. -.
The President yielded his scrupes the force of pub
lie opinion, and signed the bill. This the mode of
killing and resuscitating Mr. Adaus great system He
no longer adhered to his consuonai scrup but gave
his assent at this second session of the twenty Con-
gress, to bill making large appropriations for carrying
certain roads and works of internal improvement nclud
ing rivers, and providing for surveys!
The 22d Congress commenced on the 9th December
1884, and notwithstanding Southern and Eastern oppos
ton bill making appropriations for internal improve
ments passed both Houses and received the sanction Of
Presden Jackson Itincludsd provisions for the improve
ment of certain rivers and harbors the Cumberland and
other roads, surveys, SC. By this act amended in its
passage, various appropriations made for orks not
enumraed il having been extended by these amendments
to an amount exceeding million hundred thousand
| dollars!
The other appropriations for internal improvement
contained in bill for the improvement of certain
and rivers which not taken up in the House
until the 18th Of May, 1892 Certain amendments were
then made; and on the 1st of June motion of Mr..
Polk to strike out the enactng clause lost-Yeas ~,
nays 10l and the bill was passed. 95 to 81.
In the Senate this bill was taken up on the I'd of July
and learn from the history the times excited
much discussion. In the course of the debate " Mr..
Clay expressed his extreme surprise that the President
after putting his veto on the appropriations for works OF
such public utility the Maysve and Rockville roads,
should have sanctioned the internal improvement bill,
which appropriations made rery large amount,
and which DIFFERED N PRINCIPLE NOT ONE PARTICLE
PROM THE ONE HE HAD REJECTED What said he, had
first held appropriations for certain objects of internal
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