Daily national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1854, 1854-07-21

Mr.. EASTMAN. In reference to the expendi-
ture of this money, desire to ask the gentleman
from Illinois if there has been single rock re-
moved2
Mr.. WASHBURNE, of Illinois Iwould answer
the gentleman by stating what yesterday said
on this floor, that not a single rock has been re-
moved from the channel, nor single obstruction
taken away.
desire to say to the Committee that concur
most cordially in the remarks which have just
fallen from the gentleman from New York. l.
too am a sincere friend of this bill, and desire
to see it disposed OF at an early moment; and |
do not intend to again trouble the Committee
but, in the passage of the bill, also am anxious
to see justice done to the Mississippi valley; and
believe that the amendment offered by my col
league Mr.. RIcHARDsoN] is founded in justice
and in right; and am glad that the subject has
been brought to the consideration Of the Com
mittee by him. Il want the bill passed. even if
cannot get all / desire, for various reasons
There is one reason why desire to see this bill
pass upon which will say word. In the six
teenth line of the first section OF this bill ] see
there is an appropriation of $l5,000 to improve
the harbor of the village of Dubuque Iowa, which
has been agreed to by the Committee. That item
establishes very important principle for us on
the Mississippi and, if sanctioned by the House
and by the President, hope we shall hear no
more about the unconStitutionality of appropria-
tions for river harbors, in contradistinction to
harbors Of refuge. ! believe in the constitution
atty of all such improvements, whether the har-
bors be salt water or on the fresh water of the
Mississippi. want to see the principle which
we have incorporated in this bill sanctioned by
an approval of the item for Dubuque harbor, so
we can avail ourselves of it hereafter, as applied
to other river harbors of more importance.
Now let me refer for moment TO the position
taken by my colleague from the Chicago district,
Mr.. WENTWORTH He tells this Committee that
$4,000, are sufficient to carry out the purposes
of the Government in reference to these improve
nents of the Mississippi rapids.
Mr.. WENTWORTH. / said no such thing.
Mr.. WASHBURNE. Well, sir, my colleague
at least said this amount was sufficient to sat
isly him for the present. He thinks that sum
enough to appropriate for the present session of
Congress. | am surprised that he, representing
district bordering the Rock river rapids, should
make such statement in reference to this i'm
provement.
Mr. WENTWORTH. VIII my colleague allow
me to interrupt him?
Mr.. WASHBURNE. Certainly.
Mr.. WENTWORTH | did not say that ST. 900
was sufficient to complete the improvement of the
Rock river rapids. But think my colleague and
myself had better leave our Buncombe at home
Mr.. WASHBURNE. There is certainly no ne
cessity for my colleague to leave any Buncombe
at home he has enough there already. But, sir,
will not speak for Buncombe, but | will speak
here and elsewhere for justice to my section of the
country, if there be no other person to raise
his voice. Living, as it were on the banks of the
Mississippi, and knowing the wants Of the people
there, intend that they shall be heard through
me. If my colleague wishes to take issue with
me as to the justice or the propriety of this in
crease of appropriation for the improvement indi-
Gated, let him say it.
Mr.. WENTWORTH. ] take the responsibility
of standing by the estimates.
Mr.. WASHBURNE. My colleague speaks about
/" estimates" Why, sir, if he will turn to page
227 of the document accompanying the Presidents
message, third part, he will see an estimate of
Colonel Long, which gives $250,000 for each of
these rapids Those are estimates founded on
the report of Colonel Lee, and contend they
should govern here. The gentleman refers con-
stantly to the estimates" and says we ought to
stand by them If good in one case, they ought
to be good in all. How is it in reference to the
estimates for improving the harbor of Waukegan,
in my district? The local agent of the Govern
ment to construct that work, Mr. w. w. Gamble,
a very competent man, as | understand, asked an
appropriation of $4,000 TO complete the work
and he says in his report " that it would be very
both for economy and utility, to have
this amount appropriated by Congress at its next
session." Have the "estiniates" made by this
officer the officer proper to make them, been
adopted by the Committee on Commerce? No,
sir; the amount of his estimate has been cut down
one half-to $4,000. Why this neglect to come
up 10 the proper estimate for an important work
on the lake upon the shore of which my colleague
lives? Why deny a harbor to those brave men
who face the perils and dangers Of our hazard
GUS lake navigation, those courageous and hardy
tars
Whose march is on the mountain wave,
Whose home is on the deep?"
Here the hammer fell.