Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-01-10

postpone the Dill ana amendment indefinitely.
Mr.. G. Green advocated the passage of the bill on
the ground that his constituents were in want of
Banking ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS present capital being
absorbed with bills of exchange, the agricultural
community were not accommodated
Mr.. Jenkins opposed the establishment of the
Bank as the entire capital stock of the Merchants
Bank of Newborn not taken up; if the people
of Newbern wanted capital let them take up the
remainder of the unsold shares of the present. bank
He was opposed to the ndiscriminate chartcring of
banks.
Mr. D. F. Caldwell moved to postpone until Sat
urday next.
Mr. Jordan while in favor of the Banking capital
of the State undecided as to what location was
most in want of it. but thought Craven county
entitled to have this bank chartered. After some
remarks by Mr.. Leach against Mr. Jenkins motion,
the House took recess until o'clock
EVENING SESSION.
Mr. Jenkins in continuation of the debate on the
Union Bank repeated his objections to the bill and
commended that the reserved shares of the Merchants
Bank be issued to the amount allowed by the char
ter, and then the deficiency if any, be supplied
by branch banks from the already chartered insttu
tons of the State.
Mr.. Leach explained he favored no particular
bank, but left it to the Legislature after mature de-
liberation to discriminate between them, and moved
the indefinite postponement.
Mr.. G. Green defended the bill as absolutely ne
cessary for the accommodation of the increasing
trade of Newborn. Her present banking capital Of
$335O00 was inferior to that of many towns ofequa
trade and Importance, while her saw-mls and nu-
merouS turpentine diStilleres required largely in
creased accommodations to supply their wants.
There being power to compel the Merchants Bank
to issue their share, relief from that source was
impossible while the capital in circulation was alb
sorbed in the profitable business exchange The
agricultural portion of his constituents abso-
lutely without any assistance for two years, on this
ground alone, he thought the bill ought to pass.
After remarks from Mr.. McKesson the bill
motion of Mr.. Singetary was laid on the table.
On motion of Mr.. Shepherd the bill to recharter
the Bank of the State, made the order of the
day on w Wednesday next at IL o'clock.
The engroSsed bill to amend the act incorpora-
ting the town of Statesville read the second
time, and on motion, the bin read the third
time and passed.
The engrossed bill concerning the Wilmington
and Raleigh Railroad was read the second time and
passed.
The engrossed bill to amend the act of the Revis-
ed Statutes concerning cattle horses and hogs max
ing the killing of stock by Railroads prineG tacie
evidence of negligence.
Mr.. Outlaw moved the bill be indefinitely post
poned.
Mr.. jenkins asserted the bill was necessary to
protect the property of the people who lived along
the line of Railroads. and cOnsidee great part of
the prejudice againt Railroads arose from the difficult
ty of receiving the value of stock killed upon them.
Mr.. Dargan opposed the bill.
Mr.. S. A. Williams stated the bill introduced
by himself and colleague at the request of many
citizens who suffered severely. 1t great in
justice to compel men to give up their land for rail-
road and then refuse to make compensation for
the valuable stock killed 1t was nearly impossible to
estimate the amount of damage done, and thousands
of dollars worth was destroyed every year between
Raleigh and CASTOR, and no compensation made, the
bill was absolutely necessary for the protection of
property.
Mr.. Martin explained the hardships of the present,
arising from the difficulty of proving the fact of neg
ligence
Mr.. Outlaw replied.
Mr.. T. III. Williams was opposed to the bill, and
fed nj N railway
arising from regulation such as that contemplated
by the bill.
Mr.. Jenkins replied at some length, after which
Mr.. Outlaws motion adopted, 66 yeas, SO nays.
The House adjourned
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE on THE RIVER AND HARBoR
BILL. A message was received in the House on
Tuesday, from the President of the United States
and read. He says in returning to the House of
Representatives in which it originated the bill en-
titled act making appropriations for the repairs,
preservation and completion of certain public words,
heretofore commenced under authority of law, it
became necessary for hi l., owing to the late day
which the bill was passed to state his objections to
it very briefly, announcing at the same time pur
pose to reserve the subject for more deliberate dis
cuSson at the present. session of Congress, fer while
by no means nsensibc to the arduousneSs of the
task, he comedies the two houses of Congress are
entitled to an expression of the considerations which
have reduced dissent his part from their conclu
SionS in this instance.
What. he asked, is intended by the phrase intern
al improvements! w nat docs It embrace, ana what
exclude No such language is found in the con-
stitution. Not only is it not expression in the
constitution, but it has sufficient meaning to be
of any value as of a safe conclusion, either
of constitutional law or practical craftsmanship.
IT there is any power to construct railroads and
canals there must by the forced construction,
be power to construct bridges, and drain marshes
and provide means of irrigation-in fact improve
ment of the earch for the development of natural
resources.
He SAYS he had occasion more than once to ex-
press his judgment and took for granted that it
was fundamental proposition, that the Federal
Government is the creature of the States-that SOW
dera government is derivative All power not del
egated the government is reserved to the States
respectively or to the people. Starting from this
and denying that power for system of internal i'm
provement is to be found in the preamble to the
Constitution, he proceeds to examine the various
clause in that instrument under which power for
system of internal improvement is claimed, coming
to the conclusion that there is specific power for
such works. and no provision broad enough to cover
them. This view has been maintained by the sound
est exposition of the government.
Cngress can only construct such works as may be
necessary to carry out specific power. He refers
to the views of Jefferson jackson, Polk and others
in commendation and approval; and then estimates
the expenditures which would necessarily be involv
ed in system of informed improvement. If the
improvement of the navigabilty of river or harbor
be necessary for military or naval purposes, the sub
ject is then a matter for legislative discretion.
The message was quite long one. In conclusion,
the President says the consideration he has submit
cd added to the embarrassment of the whole ques