Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1856-05-17


S RIVER AND HARBoR IMPRovEMEsrs--W make the
following extract from debate in the Senate. on
the 9th on the subject Of river and harbor improve
ments. There i much truth and force in what Mr..
Butler, Of sou.h-Carolina, says: -
= "MR. BUTLER. Now, sir. know that Mr.. CAL
houn did maintain that the Mississippi was an in.
land sea- and that by the settlements upon its banks
1t had assumed dignity equal to the Atlantic coast
at the adoption Of the Federal Constitution. He
truly said that the power to regulate commerce
through the Mississippi was an immense Ny
friend from Michigan, however, knows how differ
ed from Mr.. Calhoun.
Nix. CAss.-True
Mr.. BurLER-When he undertook to limit the
dignity of a river, and to say that one which ran
through three States entitled to appropriation
from the public treasury, said here then, as say
ing at all times appeal it is faacy Mr.. Calhoun
heard me use stronger language than that.
Mr. CAST heard it.
MR. BUrLER.-Yes, sir; you did hear it. and be-
leve you very often hear what say on this subject.
The result of this doctrine however is that no mon
ey can be appropriated for rivers of any of the At
lantic States l believe it has been said here that
Virginia had her own rivers that all her waters rose
within her own boundaries, and that therefore she
could not have dollar of appropriation 1t was re.
piled that she might have appropriations for her sea-
board ports Sir, upon that point tell you that De-
lty has done more than man can ever do and doubt
very much whether the intermeddling of man with
those ports has not done harm, except in the
ton of lighthouses to show people where to in.
l think may apply this remark to the harbor of
Charleston / believe that 5000 is the extent Of
the appropriation for dredging the harbor of Charles
ton.
Mr.. STuART.-No, sir.
MR. BUTLER.-How much?
Mr. SrUART.-Two hundred thousand dollars.
Mr.. BurLER.-When was it appropriated? If the
= ID
(Michigan) only about eighteen years of age. is 10
come in and claim much as South Carolina, which
is seventy years DID, it will be very unfair thing
Laughter.
MIR. CAss.-You make no allusion to me? Laugh.
teri
MIR. BurLER-No, sir.
Mr.. CRIrrENDEN.-South Carolina is old enough
to be put on the retired list. Laughter.
Mr.. BUTLER.-Yes, sir; but it would be unfair
that State having an existence of only ten or tf
teen years should come in and claim an equality o.
appropriation for these objects with one that has
had existence for fifty, Or sixty, or seventy, OF
eighty years.
Mr.. JONES, of Iowa-You are old enough to take
care of yourselves.
Mr.. BurLER-WelI, sir, if gentlemen from thai
part Of the country require guardians, suppose.
must do the best can Tor them. laughter ldt
not believe that any appropriation OF money te
dredge the channel Of Charleston has done any
good l believe that the winds Of heaven will blow
the sands into the very place from which the dredge
of the contractors have taken them out. thinl
the same thing in the main of the lakes doub
much whether this whole attempt to regulate wa
tiers by the appropriation of money is not of doubt
full exediency, without touching the question of con
stitutionaity So far regards lighthouses ant
similar appliances, the question is different one
They have always existed throughout the civiiize'
world.
! If each port would improve its own harbor
think it would be the better plan. l am opposed t.
! appropriating the public money for such purposes
but, according to the suggestion of the honorable
Senator from Kentucky, if it is to be done, and tn
minority is to be controlled by it, let it be done b.
the intelligence of majority exercising jursdic
ton over the whole subject, and not by partia
system