The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-08-16

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that the money TO get back the people diminished by
the OF collection and the cost Of distribution b that
q policy Is not the democratic policy far better
which leaves the money in the pockets OF the people and
collects more than necessary for It's purposes on sie
principles OF economy
stitutona power to collect duties upon imports MY Prn
cpe Is that the government collect our revenues b oo
ties upon imports and If the government sees nj let
go into the hands of the States agents to make internal
improvements.
Mr. LETCHER Let us see how that would work. The
policy Is that the should be collected
and be returned 10 States for purposes OF internal inn
proVement Ia it far better 10 leave the people with
the money their pockets than to collect and return it 10
them diminished by the and charges attending such
process? Besides what is the limit upon the federal
in the collection Of reyenueH Is II not TO pay
the debts and provide for the defence and general
welfare of the federal government and not OF the States
There is power and there is the limitation upon its
ercse but instead Of that the gentleman would have this
Limitation stricken out and would have this TO be great
central absolute government TO collect what peases and
distribute IL 1t peases And besides that after this
collected could you return ii in the same pro-
portions to the pockets from which it came Gould those
who paid this into the government get back the
pro rata share which they have paid? You could not re-
turn it in the way and the result would be- that you
would collect from the people OF my State ior examples
and give the people Of your State that which is abso
luey the property of my people, and which this govern
men had no right demand from them 1t could not be
otherwise 1t is Obliged to be So ana whenever you place
that swapping his nger for the rights Of the States But
my friend, take it. is regular odfashoned fsderalist
How is that my friend
Mr. SIMMONS. Very likely
Mr.. LETCHER l judged And judged 80 from
bills whish have seen prepared by him in this
House. which shows that he for breaking down the State
authority and overriding it by the power of the federal
government AT this very time be has bill which he pro-
poses introduce into this House which gives to the fed
era government the power TO supervise and control the
railroads and turppikes of the States.
Mr. SIMMONS. Probably the gentleman refers to bill
regulating the running Of rans &c. the ground that
hoa tIlatA
States We cannot suppose that II the channels OF COM
changed by and inventions since the const
tuition formed, that all internal commerce Is
carried by railroads instead OF the oldashioned
canals and rversl say cannot suppose that that would
change the constitution and the principles OF the
constitution which applied the regulation OF commerce
ny canals and rivers applies to the same commerce car
red on by railroads
Mr. LETCHER Then the gentleman acknowledges that
lie has bill which proposes invest the federal govern
with power supervise and control State railroads.
their mode of running their time of running and every
thug Of that Sort within the limits of the States
Mr.. SIMMONS. | did not say everything.
Mr.. LETCHER Every thing Of that sort said. What
the federal constitution gives the authority under
VIII Gu he claims exercise the power to go into the State
OF Virginia by government officers and control the rail-
road interest of that State2
Mr.. SIMMONS. 1t has been decided by the Supreme
Court of the United States by Chief Justice Marshall that
the power of the general government includes within 1t
the power regulate the instruments of commerce so far
determine how vessels should be manned, &C. Now,
then If Congress has the power regulate commerce
among the States that implies the power regulate the in
struments of commerce; and if the instruments Of State
commerce have become railroads instead OF canals and
rivers and the courts have decided also that commerce
intercourse and that they have The right to regulate
vessels for passengers well merchandise then
Congress has the power regulate upon rail-
rJAds am unable to how invention which brought
railroads being since the constitution made and
changed the channels and intrumens of commerce from
Canals and rivers TO railroads. change the constitution
Railroads imp)r transportation from State TO
State They merely for the inland and purely do
commerce of Virginia and New York. but they are
for transporting passengers and property from State to
State They great national channels of commerce.
and should like to know how if the power of Congress
TO regulate includes Chief Justice Marshall
the to regulate the instruments OF it. the gov
eminent get its power TO regulate railroads
Mr. LETCHER Then suppose it follows, as matter
Of that every turnpike leading to railroad that Is
used wagon road for the transportation of thing
carried by individuals either inside outside their
Satess to be under the control of the federal govern
ment Then will have Congress prescribing the rate at
which sx-horse wagons to per hour prescribing
hs rate for carts drawn by mules the breadth of
the wheel; the width Of the road everything of that
sort
Now had no idea on earth that any gentleman went
far had notion that my friend from New York, as
he grew older grew in his federalism bad sup
posed that, with the lights before him. the scales would
have long since fallen from his eyes had thought from the
geneman frequent references to Mr. Jefferson that he
the high road TO the great temple of democracy and that
he would later become himself of but
give him tonight After his theory with regard 10 the
right OF the federal government the States have no
earthly hope Of him and think he is about bad a
piece Of material TO make democrat out Of other
piece of material on that side of the House
At half past ten o'clock the committee rose and the
House adjourned.