The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-09
THE FoRTY-NlNTH CONGRESS.
Senator CulIom Makes AN Argument IN Fa-
vor Of the Hennepfn Canal.

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m
Senator CulIom Makes an Argument in Fa-
vor Of the Hennepin Canal.
WASHINGTON, July a-After the presentation
of the usual number of petitions, the Senate
proceeded to the business on the calendar.
The resolutions fer inquiry into the authority
under which so-called State Legislature had
been organized in Dakota, were indefinitely
postponed.
Mr.. Hoar stated, in reference to the bill to Sc
cure to the United States the payment of the
indebtedness of the Pacific railroad companies
taat he understood that bill dealing with the
same subject was likely to be considered within
few days elsewhere He therefore did not
propose to ask action on the bill under the ex-
listing order
The joint resolution for woman suffrage was
objected to by Mr.. Plat.
The bills to accept and ratfy agreements with
Indians in Washington Territory for the use of
part of the Yakima reservation by the Northern
Pacific railroad, and for right-of-way to the
| Carson e Colorado Railroad Company through
the Walker river reservation IN Nevada were
passed.
The resolution for open executive sessions was
on motion of Mr. Plat, made the special order
for Wednesday, Dec. s.
The bill to establish forest reservation on
the headwaters of the Missouri river and on the
headwaters of Clark fork of the Columbia river
was passed.
The Senate then resumed consideration of the
river and harbor appropriation BILL the pending
amendment being to reduce the appropriation
for the Kentucky river from 600 to $780,,
0O0 Theamendment was lost--yeas, Il; nays, 70.
The amendment striking out the paragraph ap-
propriating $40, 600 for improvingthe Musklngum
river, Ohio, and accepting for the United States
from the State of Ohio the Muskingum-river i'm
proyement was vigorously opposed by Mr.. Sher-
man. The amendment was lost-yeas. q; nays,
%.
The Hennepincanal amendment having been
reached, it was strongly advocated by Mr.. Gull
lom, who stated that the canal was the most i'm
portant work of canal Improvement now press
ing upon Congress for consideration.
Mr.. Cullom argued to show the value and
necessity of the Improvement from every point.
and in answering some of the objections made to
the clause, said: Il know that it has of late
years become the fashion in some quarters to
freely denounce appropriations of this character
as immense jobs as part or grao game, IN
which each Representative and Senator is inter
ested only for the purpose of securing votes by
obtaining for his district or State more than its
share of what is called the swag. and it Is freely
alleged that such appropriations are divided up
more with reference to these personal interests
than to the propriety or necessity of the expend-
iture made. 1t is far easier for these charges to
be made than to investigate the facts, and they
are not made by those who are most familiar
with the wants and needs of the country; but
provide for public Improvements demanded
by the necessities of commerce from
fear of an unfounded public charge of
this character any more than 1T can
in making expenditures which are not shown to
be necessary and advantageous And the his
tory of every country will show that Congress Is
Just as apt to err in the direction of a mistaken
economy with reference to needed and important
public improvements as in the direction of I'M
wise and extravaga CANT expenditures. There is
another important view of this subject. To-day
we are defenseless on our lake borders We
have, | believe, one little vessel retained upon
the lakes as warning to foreign nations that
they must not encroach upon our rights. We
have no protection for our cities upon the lakes,
and very little anywhere upon our sea coast or
upon the gulf Should not Congress provide for
any needed defense! We have government
arsenal at Rock Island, where every preparation
is made for the manufacture of guns. Should
not this arsenal be used in construction of guns
and gunboats well, to be used on the
lake or gulf, as necessity may re-
auirel And the construction of the
Hennepin canal would enable such vessels, fully
armed and equipped, to pass down the MISSISSIPPI
pi to the gulf coast through the canal TO the
lakes, and would make such means of defense al
ways available to answer the calls of the Nation
whenever needed / despse the policy which
controls this government now and has controlled
it in the past, and which has resulted in our al
most helpless condition, In so far as preparation
for defense Is concerned. We, here In Congress,
therefore, do nothing. We drift along with no
coast defenses, no flag upon the seas no prepare
tions to meet emergencies of war on land, or
lake, or sea- that may any time arise, with no as
sertion Of positive national policy, and with an
apparent sense of self-security that can only be
likened to strong man asleep I'M
conscious of impending danger. In times of
peace, prepare for war. Let US construct these
canals in the interest of the national defense as
we'll as of the interest, of national prosperity.
All IF thaca nncdarafiOnS call COnUrASS
to enter upon the work. Other nations are alert
on the question of adopting every means for Sc
curing to the people cheap transportation. Let
US not close our eyes to the Importance of such
means of Improvement"
Mr.. Vest opposed the Hennepn canal.
Mr.. Logan hoped the time would come whom
the people, whenever there was necessity to
give cheap transportation, would provide for it
by canal or otherwise and he could not see why
the pending proposition was not proper one.
After an executive session, the Senate sd
journed.