Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-07-21
IMPROVEMENT OF CAPE FEAR RIVER.

Resolved That the rules of the be suspended and
that Committee of the Whole House be from
the further consideration of Senate BILL No ZO2 making an
appropriation for the removal of distractions from the mouth
| MI COBB | ask for teIIers On that resolution.
| Mr.. JONES, of Tennessee. call for the yeas and
nays
| The yeas and nays not ordered
Tellers were ordered ; and Messrs Clingman and
Harris, of Alabama, were appointed
The question was then taken; and the teiierS re-
Inorted--ayes LOG, notes IL.
| SO the rules were suspended.
| The question then put upon the motion 10
discharge the Committee from the further consldera-
| ton of the bill; and it agreed TO.
| The bill was then read by its title, as follows
An act making appropriation for the improvement
| of the Cape Fear river, North Carolina
| Mr. ASHE. move to suspend the rule which re-
oures this bill be first considered IN the Commit
| tee Of the Whole on the State of the Union
! The question was taken, and (two-thlrds voting IN
favor thereof the rule suspended
| The question required on ordering the bill to
| third reading.
MIR. ASHE Mr. Speaker. the best return | can
make 20 the House for the generous vote they nave
given me in taking up this BILL and IN dlscharglng
the Committee of the Whole from ts consideration,
will be the extreme brevty OF the remarks l Sna'i
submit upon lis merits. | will dispense with the
reading of the memorial of the citizens OF inning
ton. presented by me, under the rule, IN the early
mari of the session; but | will read the resolutions
unanimously adopted by the largest Convention ever
assembled ia that State, representing as IL olo me
chief interest of that State This Convention was
presided by his Excellency, the Governor Vi Tie
! State qOn David S. Reid:
.sResored That the General Government, by the cree
ton of ettes Oak Island for the protection OF the
cations there and the consequent Washing away OF the
sands upon the opposite point Bald Head, and their de-
posi- upon the main bar of Cape Fear mas been Ine cause
Of great and lasting injury to the commerce Oh >of'H
Resolved therefore, That may rightly appeal to the
Government do appeal to IT, by all the claims OF
mi and
injury and to restore what it has taken from u.s. =,
Of the Cape Fear by closing Of the New Inlet
is work national in character, consututlonaiy uho
iectionabIe feasible at far below comparison with
The benefits of its results and Of equal Importance to the
hip and underwater of the North, and the ercnan
and farmer of the south and of vital necessity to the com,
erca of this State; and moreover that II won
obviae great saving of to the doVernmen az
necessity completing the plan already adopted ana as y
but partially executed for the fertilization and defence OF
! will also mention that independent Of these high
Iv respecable appeals to the justice of Congress III
favor of this work, the last legislature OF North
Carolina unanimously adopted resolutions instruct
ing their representatives to urge upon Congress Ills
execution. These are strong appeals too strong,
hope TO be disregarded by this body. Before more
fully enter into my arguments, will dispose OF one
or two preliminary objections which may be urged
against the passage of the bill 1t will be doubtless
inquired why, if this work is of so much Importance
did the Committee on Commerce report adversely to
the passage of the bill In reply TO this objection.
feel authorized TO state that the adverse report OF
the committee was not founded upon any want OF
merit in the BILL but upon the fact that the commit
tee had determined to report general river and har-
Dor BILL and for that reason a majority OF It's mem
bers thought it would be homogeneous to report
separate and distinct bill for any work whatever.-
The honorable chairman informed me, In the pre-
sence of the committee, that this work appealed more
strongly to the Justice of Congress than any other
thew had before them As evidence that this was
the feeling of the committee, am Informed that there
ed in the general bill which they have reported.
It NAV be- then, inquired why did not consent 10
make this portion of the general bill Why make
an exception III favor of this work II the memoir
al had been read, the House would have observed
that this work is now being carried by funds rails
ed bv private subscriptions. The former appropra-
tion made by Congress had been exhausted, and the
works. being left in unfinished state were exposed
to daily destruction and, to avoid that misfortune
the patriotic and enterprising citizens of Whining
ton raised such an of money the officers in
/ charge of the work reported necessary to con
tinue its execution until the end of the fiscal year.
That time has now elapsed, and yet this general bill
= has not been acted upon and if this bill is not soor
passed. another draft must be made upon the patriot
o ism and enterprise of my people. | would suFml
that in this there would be neither fairness nor JUS
Is tce Hence my unwlingness to defer this measure
lie until general bill could be passed. Some OF m,
Democratic friends may ask, why not resort to ton
mage duties in order to raise the amount required !
In reply TO this question: will state, that if there
listed any reasonable hope that Congress would au
D. thoiZe the laying of such duties for this purpose,
y would prefer it; but your records will show that
have made attempt after attempt to have this done
- but always without success. Indeed, know fror
III experience that if such measure should pass thi
ct House. it would certainly fail in the Senate. Their
e. this resource being closed, what other alternative
- left to but an appropriation by Congress
=, Some of my friends, knowing my strong oppos
In ton to any enlargement of the powers of the Fede
ho TiSn0 r. NV adj in
at bill of this character but say to them, that
f. have never considered it assumption OF power
- the part of the Government to undertake works M
81 tiona, Or properly speaking, general In the
IS, character. Your revenue is derived from inpOrlf
tons, and long this is done, long is 1t you
ID duty in one way another to such obStrut
. tions as necessarily pede prevent Importation
Ir Why do you have buOys your rivers; breakwate
" on your bays; beacons and lighthouses on you
II coasts? All Of these Improvements rest upon tn
same principle; principle, the strength OF whc
a must be acknowledged as long youf money is CO
~ leced from importations. But, Mr. Speaker, anott
u er consideration presents itself to my mind, WhiC
IN has a strong, direct bearing this question. 1t
n this The Government owns, and, as consequence
has exclusive jurisdiction of the localities whe
= these Improvements are being established and WI
ol submit, if the Federal Government has not the powt
i'll to carry them on, who has ? The State of Mort
80 Carolina has parted with her ownership, and,
course she has no right For this purpose she cOul
not lay stone or drive pile without belng ire
he passer upon soil which the General GoVeramel
es has exclusive jurisdiction
v, Now, Mr. Speaker, will discuss the merits of II
~ BILL and, if much mistaken will be able to sho
- the House, not only in financial, but in miiar
1t point of view, lis passage will he highly importan
he Yes sir in the language of the Engineer Department
a. that "he work is thoroughly national" will req
extract from their report, with the letter of s.
peFiGtendent Bache, addressed to me upon this SUI
jecl:
p, ENGINEER DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON,