The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-05-18
Editorial Correspondence of the Detroit Tribune.
From Washington.
WASHINGTON, May 8, 1853.

RIVER AND nARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
1t is evident, there are to be no appro-
priations for the improvement of harbors
on the lakes or the navigation of rivers -
The present administration is too much in
debt for ''services rendered." owes too
much tribute to its filibustes in the Kan.
sas, and Utah, Oregon, DC, and requires
too much to meet the imperative demands
Of its friend in other political public enter
prises for the Party, the Treasury has been
too much drained and the demands upon
it for such purposes, to admit Of even the
entertainment or consideration Of any pro-
position, the appropriation of any money
for the Improvement of rivers and harbors,
or any real public necessity.
In the House, bill has been reported
proposing the appropriation of $43, ,43O!
for harbors on the fifteen hundred miles OF
lake coast of Michigan, viz: $685. for
the St. Clair flats, $lO,43l for St. Joseph,
$9,5SS for Mcnroe. But even this pittance
for a State having the largest coast of nav
igable waters in the Union will be refused
Leading men, in high positions, say "there
will not be dollar appropriated for west
ern harbors."
In the Senate, yesterday, Mr.. Chand-
Ter made an effort to get from the Com
uuJce or CouuIvtv,, aud bcfUre 'iU Cs.
ate, the bill heretofore presented ard re.
fcrred appropriating 100000 for the i'm
provcment o' the ST. Clair Flats. There
was really majority in favor of Mr. C.'s
resolution of instructions to the Commit
tee, especially as it proposed reducing the
amount to $4,000. Several Lccompton-
ties favored it, but Mcssrs. Green, Riggs,
a, others rallied their partizans to defeat
tho measure, and Mr.. Benjamin, who had
favored it, TO case himself with party
friends, introduced an unmeaning substi-
tute. Mr.. Chandler sustained his resolu-
tion with admirable tact, in running de-.
bate of near two hours. His movement
bad the effect to force report from the
Committee on the general subject; and to
day that Committe have reported an agree
mcnt not to report any Harbor bill at the
present session! not even for the preserya-
tion or prosecution Of works already COM
menced, the completion of which are de-
manded by every consideration that can
prompt legislation, public policy and econ
omy, the saving Of public and private pro-
perty, or the more humane and strong con-
sideration of saving life. But what does
the Lecompton party care for public or pri-
vate property, or the lives of American
citizens! Nothing, absolutely nothing,
unless, forsooth, it be to carry out some
| damning Lecompton fraud or other great
democratic fraud or swindle. Then, it
matters not how much of treasure, or how
much of life, or sacrifice of peace is want.
ed; then the treasury must yield up its
millions, the army must be put in requisi-
ton, the property Of peaceable citizens
must be burned or their presses destroy ed,
unoffcnding men must be shot down in
cool blood, and others deprived Of their
liberty and incarcerated in jails for months
all these things, everything, must be free
ly sacrificed for Lecompton Millions up
on millions have been spent upon that
but not dollar are they willing to spend
for public good, the improvement, the
protection, the necessities of the commerce
of the Lakes and Rivers. The good old
Republican maxim of '76, millions fol
Defence, but Not One Cent for Tribute
is now reversed. Uunder this Lecomptor
rule, it is "Millions for the Tribute, but
Not One Cent for Defence" 1t is so il
everything. Every American principle
which the sages and teachers of our earlier
days taught us as truly Republican is now
ignored. Every principle which separated
and distinguished the Federalists of those
days stamps the present democratic ad
ministration, and separates it from the Re
publicans of the present day. How long
o, how much longer, will the sailors snt
commercial men Of the northwest Civ,
their influence and their votes to suppor
such partyl i..t.
But Mr.. Chandler will not let the ap
preparation to the Flats die out, without
another effort to save it in the Senate. :
He has already given notice Of the intro
duction Of bill, which suppose he vii
do in day OF two. His success is doubt
ful, but the effort will be made.
The news frorn Philadelphia made Oh
Buck tremble. Like veteran sinner o
old, he sees and reads "the Handwriting
on the wall" Old Cass is more fussy snS
frothy than usual (D The leaders ar
staggered; the camp-followers and time
servers are awe-struck; mono of then
know what TO say or what TO do. lie
them "wait little loneer"--an insultsd
dishonored pcople will enli0hfen than