Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-01-03
HOUSE on REpREsENTATIYEs
TUESDAY, january 2, 1855,


The bill introduced by Mr.. COBB which was
under discussion yesterday when our report closed,
was finally recommitted " The Committee on Pup-
lie Lands. !,
A message from the President, giving in detail
his reasons for Setoing the River and Harbor bill,
passed at the last session, was laid before the
House. g5a >T aa
The following is a brief synopsis Of Ids contents
He says, In returning TO the House in which II
originated, the bill passed at the last session. MAX
ing appropriations for the repair and preservation
OF certain public works, heretofore commenced,
the River and Harbor bill, } it became necessary
for him. owing to the late day the bill was passed.
to state his objection TO it, very briefly promising
that he would submit his views more at length
during the present session Of Congress-
AS to what is intended by the phrase, I" internal
improvements" what 1t embraces and what ii ex.
cludes there is no such language found in the Con-
stituton therefore they could arrive at no safe
conclusion in their pursuit, under constitutional
law or practical craftsmanship. 3
He had had occasion, more than once, to ex-
press it as his Judgment and taken it for granted
as fundamental proposition, that the federal gov
eminent is the creature of the States that the
sovereign power is in them alone, and that all
power Of the federal government is derivatiye
All powers and limitations contained in the consti-
tuition not delegated 10 the federal government,
reserved to the States respectively, or to the
people, Starting from this, 1t Is necessary 70 re-
ect all idea Of there being any grant of power m
the preamble of the constitution TO authorize a
general system of internal improvements.
y There being no specific grant for this purpose In
the Constitution, aud no provision in the instru-
ment broad enough to authorize system Of inter
nal improvements it became necessary to look at
the particular parts of the Constitution under which
it is claimed they may be pursued After dwelling
on this point, the President says that there is no
express grant in the constitution which authorizes
a system of internal improvements, nor can any be
engaged in, except such as may be necessary as an
incident to an express grant to the General Govern
ment. Congress has no power to carry on inter-
nal improvements, as system, and this view is
maintained by the soundest expositOrs Of the Con-
stitution.
The President reviews the Jurisdiction Of the
United States over navigabe waters and alludes to
the views of Jefferson, jackson, Polk, and others,
on the subject of internal improvements; saying,
in the course Of his argument, If the improvement
Of q river or harbor involves military or naval
emergency, it is subectmatter for Legislative dis
cretion; and, in conclusion, remarking that Con-
gress should confne its action to works of undoubt
ed power, leaving the separate States to provide
for the Improvement of their harbors out Of their
own resources, in the form Of tonnage duties, le-
We'd with the consent of Congress.
After brief discussion, the message was refer
red to the Committee Of the whole House. viz
No other business of Importance was transacted,
when the House adjourned.