Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-06
GOWAN19Ss
DEBATE IN THE sENATE-Jan. 10, 1880.

Mr.. Smith OF Maryland said there was no necessity
Tor The amendment as the committee had already the
same powers il proposed TO contcr-Although he was
opposed TO the measure which the resolution of the gem
teman from Connecticut (Mr. FooO purported TO have
IN VIEW, yet he should vote for the resolution What
would be said II this resolution rejected: hat we
were afraid Of inquiry At the first stage of the new
alton he would wish avoid the charge of be-
ing hostile TO any investigation If the resolution goes
10 committee they will make report and he said it
was desirable TO put down the jcalousies which
ry course would excite-The excitement OF one part OF
the Union against the other was, if prevalent, extreme
~ unfortunate Mr. S. stated that the policy of the go
vernment IN all projects having reference the West
ern states had been indulgent. He said he would
against the amendment being unnecessary, and in
support OF the resolution for the stated gen
eman had been alluded 10 by the gentleman from Mis-
souri, Mr. Benon) in the of his remarks, of which
he (Nir Smh) thought take notice That
gentleman said, aluiing TO distinguished character,
that he had ceded by negotiation fair portion of land
belonging to the United States Mr. S said that he had
oeen an actor on that occasion, and well acquainted
with the subjects that he had been informed the time
that quarrel had taken place between the gentleman
alluded TO and Don Onis the Minister the part SPAIN
ana they had separated not to again the subject
that quarrel arose, he informed and believed
ON the determination of the American negotator that
the Colorado must and should be the boundary ine that
the negotaors met again at the request of mutual friends;
what passed afterwards he did know further than
that he could assure the Senator from Missouri that the
gentleman alluded 10 by him not the first TO recee
to the Sabine the boundary of the United States
Mr. Livingston said In all dcliberative assemblies
with which have been acquainted, there modes
"A
committee on the expectancy of proposed measure
one the most ordinary and regular mode directing the
reference az matter OF course which mode gave rise
10 NJ presumption OF the opinion of the House on the
measure proposed by the resolution; the other mode is
at oil opposing the inquiry useless by an inves-
ugaion oil the subject showing that it would be impro
per 10 ground any measures such result of the in
curry as seemed TO be expected by the csolutonI say
seemed TO be expected because the mover certainly
would not have wished for inquiry merely satisfy
curiosity and the phraseoogy OF the resolution evident
~ shows the object TO be- that the sales lands shall be
restricted TO those already surveyed.
The debate them not having turned on the necessity
oil an INQUIRY but on the Oprety of the itself
which was to be made the subject of inqury- was as
competent TO the Senate TO decide now whether such
restriction OF the sale of lands advisable measure
as 'hey would be on the report of commtee for such
reports could give facts that were not in pos
session o-and after the turn the debate had taken,
vote oil reference 10 committee would be considered
as an acquiesce in the preprety of the measure contcm
plated by the resolution Therefore, although should
nave voted Tor the reference if the had taken
It's usual course, cannot do under existing circum-
stances The State whose interests advocate and part
y represent has suffered too much from the delay in the
sale OF the public lands already not to render this pio
position OF restraining them still further fatal one TO
her nteres with population of 100 900 inhabitants to
bear all the charges OF Governments; her increase has
neeh checked Tor 20 years; during which, according
he natural course OF things, that population ought
have been at least doubled The lands of the United
States amounting 10 81 900 600 are rot ony EXEMPT
IRON taxes but the inhabitants are forced if thew wish
10 keep up communication between themselves in
some oil the settlements, and protect their property
from iDundation 10 make roads bridges and embank-
Inents on the public lands. law TO resrct the sales
oil public lands TO those already SURVEYED would be
equivalent TO law TO stop them altogether for although
OF ue I'ooO,oO0 oil acres owned by the United States,
Z'oo,ooo nave been surveyed, yet tenth part of
that quantity has been Sold and of what remains not
ienth part Will ever sell; it is pine barren
therefore law to put stop TO the further increase of
e state, and entaiiing upon its present inhabitants and
their descendants the burhen of all the taxes and all
the services required for defending and improving the
lands OF the Unitod States. There are two views in
I'M 10 InraI a.
the pecHnary interest of the United States is alone con-
sideredthe other that in which the Infinitely more inn
portrait political interest of the States is concerned
In the frst view, considering the United States sim
ply as great andholder what are its nerests To sell
as speedily and Tor as good price they but the
greater choice you give TO settlers the more speedily
Is evident that you can SELL and the better land you
throw into the market evidently the better p YOU
can command This can only bc done by continuing
your surveys. The political view of the question is one
that would require an investigation necessary
to he gone into The strength of the Union depends on
the population, wealth, and industry of the
States, its component parts. Whatever cramps them
estrans the general welfare and reduces its strength
The money TO be drawn from the sale Of the lands is
but leather in the scale OF great national policy; and
IL the population oil the States would be increased by
disposing oil them, even for nominal price, ought
not to hesitate.
In anather point of view the surveys are highly inn
portant They give accurate know ledge, moi only
OF the situation, but the quality and value of land
Its facilities for Improvement by roads, canals and Droxi
NIFTY to markc and even it the sales stopped the
surveys ought TO 30 What great landed proprietor
who does not gain by this operation? And shall the
gresest OF all Ian holders, from fear of expense ne
glect ii! These are of the advantages resulting
from perseverance in the judcious plan which has
been adopted in relation TO public lands. These are
some OF the injurious effects which would result from
abandoning it. What the benefits expected from
change? have not heard single suggested. NV
vote will be governed by these considerat ons.
MIR. Sprague sugges ed the propriety of combining
both of the propositions before the Senate in resolu
ton He said he willing TO for an inquiry
whether the surveys of the public lands ought. the
one ham TO be stopped, the other hand, whether
consent to adopt both propositions, he (Nir So said he
would support the resolution. Both objects contended
for by gentlemen would he thus attained. lie would
therefore suggest modification of the resolution in the
following form:
Resolved, That fine Committee on the Public Lands !
he instructed to inqu whether il be cXpedieH to limit
for certain period the sales of the public lands to such
lands only have heretofore been offered for sale, and
are subject 10 entry at the minimum price And also,
whether the Office of Surveyor General may not I've /
abolished without dcrimcn TO the public interest,
whether be expedcn TO adopt 10 hasten the
sales, and extend rapidly the surveys of the public
lands.
MIR. S. said If the gentleman from Conn. (Mr Foot |
and the gentleman from N. Hampshire, (Mr. Woodbu-
ry) would to ts modification, ne would now, il
ia order, move it as amendment. If il not now
in order, ne said he would make the motion another
time.
The President said the motion was not in order
MIR. Foot made a few observations in reply to Mr.. !
Benton and Mr.. Woodbury.. lie repealed the imputa- |
ton that IL was through any no tile motives to the West
hc proposed the resolution. lie said the question here
involved Of great and increasing importance and