The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-06-04

the collection Districts they aege produce
Tfrs n modern cavil aafH
TO make revenue test Of these western appsopria-
tions llacy not credAbls to tho intelligence and
st&tesmApsip Of thcns rho make IL u IL enough
that these general appropriations demanded by the
public welfare and the oom1nQn defoncs.
The reciprocity treaty diminished e revenue, but in
creased the business and has required enlarged com
mercial coAveniences. If the vigilance maintained
by the custom police the snticr were relaxed
you would find the West soon undertaking your New
York. Boston, Philadslphs, and Baltimore merchants,
from the supplies Of contaband goods and the neces
stiles for the paaal custom houses the Atlantic coast
would no longer exist you would have no revenue to
collect
The revenue which the West pays the national gov
ernment Is not to be measured by the meagre returns of
your custom housesit must be estimated BY what its
millions of consumers pay for fact IL undeni
able In political economy than that revenue IL tax upon
the consumption of the country.
Yes, sir the consumers and producers of the West de-
mand these appropriations not concessions Of favor
but Of ght-consttutionsl and equal rights among
the States and the people of the States of this Union,
have their harbors improved their rivers aud chanusl
Of commerce cleared for the cheap transportation Of their
articles of consumption and production to and from the
markets Of the world Na
The enemies of inland appropriations vote free tra lie
the frontier and then claim that we not entitled
to any appropriation because collect revenue.
Their logic ba their inconsistency is unpardona-
bic. will add here TO the MISREPRESENTATION,
constantly made this loor these points, stat,
of the revenues collected and appropa
tions made for Northwestern lakes from 1887 - 1855
The collected in fifteen districts amounted
$5,5ll,lz9 80
Amount appropriated for akes-------- 2Ss4,l2 90
Excess of revenue appropriations 262I I,004 50
II will thus be that appropriations for the western
lakes in the aggregate about equal appropriations for
tho construction Of the New Orleans custom house. which
still cries 'give!
rmE ONLY CONSTITUTIONAL MODE FOR IN
. vrx&RsN NyuOw
l have now TO refer to the only mode for the i'm
of harbors and rivers suggested except that
sanctioned by the practice Of government since its ori
gn-Me tonnage system. This, sir believe IL mprncti-
cable and unconstitutional 1t tried under the Con-
federation and of the causes which led to tho early
formation OF our present constitution the conflict be-
tween the States in their internal and external COM
The result was the transfer of the power boh
we'll of the of all the Sates in trust for the
spublic welfare to the general government the only
remedy from angry collisions and conflicting rvaries be-
tween the States.
The history Of that period il full of amonition to
its inexpedency If it constitutional to return
to this exploded System.
We would suppose constitution plain on this point
Nor shall veae bound from sas be obliged 70 enter
clear, pay duties in another. Sec o. art l.
Free trade among the States was the policy of the
trainers Of the constitution and In analogy with its spirit
and all its provisions TWAS recognised In the ordinance
of 1887
rbe naygabe waters leading insO tho Mississippi and s. Law
renee and the ryns place. between u, same .. ss
the cncn. o the United aes and those Of other
This was resirncd by Congress after tho adoption Of
the constitution by net Of Congress Of 7th August
1889 So 1t will be that in the Consttuton well
in Congress the principle of liberty not only in
tended To be established equal right of the people,
but free trade between the States made part of
organic form Of government.
felt called on sir refer to this tonnage syste from
the distinguished recommendation 1t has received for the
last six years IL to be regretted that it has been
newed by some of the friends of inland commerce of the
country, the effect only be to divide them
the only constitutional and practicable Of
relief
have thus, sir concsely presented the leading fea
lures Of our inland commerce. and its claims for these
very limited appropriations 1t idle for gentlemen to
suppose that they much longer successfully resist
them. Appropriations for inland commerce must be
restored to its equal position branch of public service
The time when these national questions occupied the
attention of this House, but unfortunately slavery and
ntslavery distractions have crowded from these halls
all fair consideration of the public welfare This cannot
continue. These longneglected inland interests must
resume their place in the public mind
Their recognition here will be enforced by the political
power that is accumulatng in the North and Southwest
from the increasing immigration. The elements of po
tcal power with population and the ballot-box.
The strip of seaboard the Atlantic and the manufac
turing portions of the country bordering it, must sooner
later yield to the just demands of the numerical
pemacy of the West for the improvement of their great
lines Of internal trade and commerce, which will and
must be kept free, open and common to people
Inland commerce is the peaceful sovereign of the Union
Its seat Of empire is in the SUBMITS Of the West !;
the Of the mighty rivers Of this country there
They cannot be in government and their outlets in
another. Inland commerce will hold oil togethersea-
board lakes, rivers valleys, and mountains from
its outward movement to the ocean will be created
munity Of interest and fraternity Of feeling that will
bind the Union Of these States together and forer.