The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-02-29
CENTENNIAL EXPOSITION.

We have received copy of the speech
of Hon. A. T. CAPERToN delived in the
Senate of the United States, February
llth, 1876, in favor of the Centennial
appropriation bill. Mr.. CAPERToN was
the only one of the West Virginia men,
bers of Congress that voted for the bill,
and he did so believing that 1t was en-.
tiroly warranted by the Constitution
He thought that It was covered by that
provision Of the Constitution which pro
vides that Congress shall have power to
lay taxes, &c, for certain specified pur-
poses, namely, for the payment of debts,
TO provide for the common defense and
to promote the general welfare. In this
connection, Mr.. CAPERToN says:
in regard to the doctrine of the gen.
eral welfare, my view is that wherever
there is anything To be done which
plainl and indisputably has Il national
character, we can do it under the clause
authorizing the raising of money for
the general welfare. 1t must be nation
al, that is to say, the act of course must
be necessary to be performed; and when
it is so, if their is no special provision
in the Constitution authorizing the act
TO be done, then we can come under
the general welfare provision. Other
wise you make the language employed
in this particular clause OF the Constitu-
tion absolutely nugatory and unmean-
ing. All these appropriations to which
l have referred | have no doubt did
have reference to that particular clause,
for there is specified power under which
they could have boen allowed
He thought that the objects of the bill
were also embraced in that provision o:
the Constitution giving Congress author
ity to regulate commerce, and according
to his view the promotion Of commerce
which would naturally result from this
centennial exposition would be connected
with its regulation. He thought there
was nothing in the objection that the
government did not have the right to
become party to the joint stock COM
pany. As fai back as 1916 the
government had become q stock
holder in the Bank OF the United
States to the extent of 100000 Mr..
CAPEsToN, true to his old Wing teach
lngs, announced himself AS favorable to
subsidies. He says;
"If we are 10 build up our carrying
trade, we can only do it upon the system
OF subsidies. 1t is convenient way; it
is a proper way; there Is no constitutional
difficulty in the way, and whenever an
occasion occurs l shall vote for it. And
now, instead of vie ding 10 that opposi-
ton to subsidies which has become the
.hibboleth of party, say now | am an
advocate of subsidies. | shall not be re-
strained by the denunciatlon Of this party
or that party from voting in favor of
policy to which | can in my judgment
and conscience subscribe"
Mr.. Caperton concluded as follows:
81 am proceeding with this discussion in
rather a discursive way, because | only
intended TO note the objections made BY
those who oppose the bill, and j there
fore omit some matters that | desired TO
treat of. do not regard Tor one mo-
ment the criticisms and the objections
that have been made to this bill with re-
erence to the previous pledges given
with regard to the appropriation; that is
altogether out OF the question. 1t does
not stand in my way one single moment;
nor do | regard the assaults that have
been made. upon the generous and pat
motto men who have initiated and carried !
forward this enterprise to It's present Ccn-
iition. The attempt has been made to |
belittle and absolutely impugn their mo-
tives, that is is mere private speculation,
charging that it is ring, that we are
asked to make this appropriation
Tor the benefit of ring.
Those charges and objection.
do not weigh on my mind. l am wiling :
TO concede that it is for a ring-yes, sir,
a great ring that is encircling that tree
of liberty planted one hundred years ago,
which is extending its branches until we
are emboldened to invite the nations Of .
the world to come and repose under its
shade. That is the ring. That is the
character which | woult ascrlbe to these
gentlemen who have gone on and who
have done SO much for the advancement
of this great National celebration. l did
not propose to engage in this discussion;
and should not have said anything if it
had not been for the objections made to
the original proposition. l am satisfied
hat for great political reasons this enter
prise ought to go through. am salts
hed that for special reasons affecting our
condition in q commercial point Of view
It ought to take place; ard upon every
ground, without the slightest
doubt or misgiving as to our constitu-
ional power, think it Is our highest
luty to grant that appropriation, and to
ecure the benefits Of it."