Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-03-08

publican and Democratic to consider it favor
aoly, North, East and West; you are all inter-
ested IN it. There is probably no appropriation
in this bill Of like amount that would do more
real coed to the commerce. of the country than
the 81, 900 which you would put in RomneY
Maran 20 make that navigation tree ana easy
al the time. propose the route ~ warsaw
Island The island has beautiful beach, and
It would afford the people of Savannah an
opportunity TO bui'd hotels and summer resi-
dences on the island, which would then have
speedy and easy communication with the city
which would be great convenience 20 large
class or our best people, who could spend
Lneir summers near home. on oeautl-
rui island. in the midst of fine, healthy
sea breeze. This would increase the
health, comfort and prosperity OF the
people of our beautiful city. thought
appropriation, and it Is about that, and the
Altamaha river, and the Chattahoocnee river,
ana the Savannah river. all or which are put
on with mere nominal appropriations, that |
complainant about the city OF Savannah.
referred TO the commerce of the city or Savan-
nan 70 show that 1t was not, as some OF the
rivers have been called, trout streams that we
were improving there. Here is one OF the
largest commercial ports of the Union, doing q
vast business, constantly improving, Win q
railroad system going back ana penetrating
the whole country, west and south and SOU n
west. This railroad system has been put INTO
operation at a great deal of expense 1t ID
being improved every year, ana, as IL now
stands, It is going to pour an Immense COM
merce into Savannah.
Why will we not improve the river and mar
Dor, then, as it should be, and encourage these
great cotton and timber and naval store and
rice interests as they OBSERVER the committee
gave us for the great river Altamaha So;VOO;
and for the two branches that rise up in that
immense timber region, none Ike IL anywhere
scarcely, where they are bringing out such
large quantities of timber, they give us S2,5OO
for one and 5000 for the other. All asked
was $4,000 each for the branches and $1,000
for the Altamaha. ! thought we ought TO nave
had it, is is certainly much more reasonable
than great deal that is in the BILL ana why
should we not have it? Why cut us Off by the
gag law, and not even permit us TO be heard In
these amendments
Mr.. Ransom-Ce Certainly the Senator from
Georgia does not pretend that have cut him
off by a gag law He has certainly illustrated
the fact that have not done that.
Mr.. Brown-The illustration Is very good, it
is true; but am not quite sure how much
am indebted to my honorable friend for the
opportunity of making this speech. think he
tried the gag law by moving tolay on the table
the very amendment which got up to discuss
here; but we voted him down, and he could not
put on the gag, could not put the bits in my
mouth: and hence by the courtesy of the SEN
ate and not of my friend from North Carolina,
l am allowed to make my remarks.
Mr.. Ransom-WheH the Senate gets an OPP
portunity 1 think they will agree to my mo-
ton
Mr.. Vance, simply want to made an in
quiry. wish to inquire what is the question
The Presiding Oficer-The question is on the
motion of the senator from Kansas CHR. Plumb)
to recommit the hill with instructions.
Mr.. Brown-I have the floor on that question.
The Presiding Officer-The Senator from
Georgia has the floor.
Mr.. Brown am also discussing kindred
subjects that are very germane to it. do not
expect to occupy the floor again on this ques-
ton, only to make some motions to amend, and
while am up want to state the reasons why
this gag should not be put upon us. and to show
that there are good reasons why the commit
tee ought not to cut us on BY motions to lay
our amendments on the table, which motions
are not debatable.
Allow me to remark here another coincidence
which is a little peculiar. In every instance
where my friend, the Chairman, makes a mo-
ton to lay an amendment on the table, the
Senators from the States that get the largest
part OF the appropriation vote TO cut us ON Ihey
cannot afford to injure the bill. Some OF the
States represented on the committee fare rather
luxuriantly in the bill, and it is natural enough.
l suppose, that they want TO hold on to what
| they have. But they should let us put little
more on; and if we happen to add by meFito-
rious amendments another million, think 10
is infinitely small compared with what our
fathers appropriated for like objects when we
take into account their numbers, their wealth,
and their situation, and compare them with
| their numbers our wealth, and our situation.
I do not want to be gagged on this question,
| and do not think other Senators who have
meritorious amendments do. nor do l think it
| ought to be done know l have not conf1ned
| myself to the question of the improvement of
| the mouth of the Columbia river, which is the
| pending amendment which the Senate refused
| to lay on the table am ready to vote for the
| appropriation because the Senators from that
| State say it is really necessary and important.
| The Columbia river is enc of the great water
| ways of the Union, and l shall vote with the
| Senators from Oregon on that question, and
| then have no doubt when they come to con-
| slider other amendments that are equally
meritorious they will vote for them.
do not think the honorable Chairman need
| be alarmed about the fate OF his bill. do not
believe we will hazard its passage. We ought
TO add little more toit. We should be viii ing
to take the risk AS Democrat I shall
take it: and 1 am not afraid OF what
the people will say. would rather
| suppose they would call US to account
| for not having made reasonable appropriations
! than that they would be likely to call us to &C
| count for voting more than ought to be given
| by this bill. II the whole amount appropri-
ated does not exceed fifteen million dollars
| and the money is appropriated as it ought
| to be for necessary improvements and each
| State gets its just proportion, am will
| ing that this Democratic Congress shall take
| that much responsibility. However much OF
popular confidence the party may have lost
| on previous occasions by a timid and vacilat-
! ing policy, il it will appropriate such sums as
are necessary to make proper improvements
| Of the great highways of commerce which a
| bountiful Providence has so richly bestowed
| upon us. and thus give easy and cheap trans
| pOrtation to the productions and importati0ns
! of the country, we shall for one time at least
| hear the plaudit of well done come rolling back
| to the capitol from a vast majority of the
| fifty millions of people whose interests will be
| promoted by such an exhibition Of practical
craftsmanship and wise policy.