The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1878-05-01

prove as rapidly as his pronunciation.
Now, sir, 4 few words about the pol.
icy of this bill. There may be some
ofits details Objectionable and obnox-
ious to the severest criticism. The
amount appropriated in large, not too
large, trust, to embarass the Treasury
of the country. II will be drawn out
gradually and will be distributed like
the dews of heaven upon all sections
of the country. l have no time to
dwell in detail, if so, could indicate
various objections. But, sir, this meas
ure is in the interest Of public im-
provoment--to make available for in
ternal commerce, at time when labor
is cheap and seeking some employment,
the avenues for commercial intercourse
constructed with such liberal hand by
the author OF our being in different
parts Of the country.
A few years ago we did not have
bills like this so general in their char
acter. The earlier history of the coun-
try does not give us general river and
harbor appropriation bills. But, sir,
the policy of Government aid in inter.
nal improvements in the development
Of our resources has obtained in the
country for many years, and has OBJ
tanned after a long struggle among the
earlier statesmen. | am too young to
have known Henry Clay, but was
brought up in that old whig school of
politics of which he was so conspicuous
an exponent; which invited the foster
ing, powerful hand Of the Federal Gov
ernment in promoting commerce
among the States and with foreign ma.
tions by making more navigable our
rivers, and more safe our harbors.
This attractive man, a liberal states
man, as early az 1924, in discussing "a
bill authorizing the President to cause
certain surveys and estimates to be
made on the subject of roads and ca.
nals," said:
1t is said that the power to regulate com
merce merely authorizes the laying of i'm.
posts and duties. But Congress has nc
power to lay imposts and duties on tho
trade among the several States. The grant
must mean, therefore, something else
What is it? The power to regulate com
merce among the several States, if it has
any meaning, implies authority to foster
it, to promote it, to bestow upon it facili-
ties similar to those which have been con.
ceded to our foreign trade. All the pow
ers of this Government should be inter
preted in reference to its first, its best, it
greatest object-the Union of the States
And is not the Union best invigorated b,
an intimate social and commercial connec
tion between all parts of the confeneracy
The subsequent practices of the Gov
ernment have sanctioned this policy
But, sir, / have no time for extandeC
remarks. There can be no doubt Q
the clear constitutional power of Con
gress to make general appropriation
for the Improvement of the navigation
Of the rivers of the country to max
them convenient avenues for the trad
of the people.
1t is to be found in that eighth sec
tion of first article Of the Constitutio
giving Congress "power to regulat
commerce with foreign nations an
among the several States" In a note
case, Gibbons vs. Ogden, 8 Wheator
1876, Chief.Justice Marshall says:
This power, like all others vested i
Congress, is complete in itself, may be e1
ercised to its utmost extent and acknow
edges no limitations other than are pre-
scribed by the Constitution.
And if any doubt this there is ampl
authority to declare that the power t
regulate commerce among the severa
States does not stop at State lines, bu
may be exercised within the territolia
jurisdiction of a State. Says Justic
johnson in the same case:
The power of Congress does not stop
ejuris0ictional lines ofthe several State
| IL would be avery useless power if it coul
| not pass those lines. The commerce of til
United States with foreign nations is tn;
of the whole United States. Every di'
tlict has right to participate. The dee
streams which penetrate our country
every direction pass through the interiC
of almost every State of the Union, an
furnish the means of exercising that righ
If it exists within the States then the pow
or of Congress may be exercised within
State.
So, then, sir, there is ample author
ity in the practices Of the Governmer
and in the direct utterances of til
highest Federal court of the power {
Congress to make the appropriation
of the character contemplated in tn
bill. 1t is wise at a time like this [
do so. Sir, labor is at a standstill
many parts of the country. He is
public benefactor who invents SON
useful employment for the idle thol
sands.
1t is said we are approaching hare
pan in the business of the country, il
deed have arrived there if so, let |
now take a new departure on the har'