Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-03

ported bill TO adjust the 4th AUDITORS booAs which was
disposed OF In ike manner
Mr. Hoffman, from the committee, reported bill
provide for rebuilding the igaie Java and the oop Cy
onc, which was read twice. and committed 10 Conit-
tee OF the Whole Hsuse the State OF the Union and d-
rcccd TO be printed.
Mr. Hoffman. from tho committee reported bill
to finish the rebuilding OF the igac Macedonian which
disposed OF in the way.
Mr. McDutiie, from the Committee of Ways aud Means,
reported bill making appropriations Tor the revolutionary
and other pensioners of the United States. for the year
1882. which was disposed of in ike manner
-, ar McDuhc, from the same committee reported a
ed States, which similarly disposed Of
Mr. Wickuio Stitcd that hc had hccn requested by the
Chairman the Committee of Claims to move recon
slcaon of the the bill for the relief Of the legal
representatives OF William liul; and lac accordingly made
that motion.
quest and on the question being taken, tho House agreed
orc-consiier the subject.
rupLrc LANDS
The following resolution submitted OIL Thursday last,
by Mr. Blair OF Tennessee taken up Tor considcra-
ton;
Re;9lreI That the Committee on Public Lands he in
sctcd enquire into the cxpedicncy distributing lac
eolinS TO popuaiioD the proceeds Of the public lands
among the several States and Territories; which dsrbu-
ton when made, shall be expended Internal Improve
ments, or orcm5ursc moneys already expended such
works; or purposes OF education the Legislatures of
the several States sballdirect.
Mr. vinton offered the following substitute, which
was accepted by the mover to strike out all after the word
That Committee &c appointed 10 inquire Into tho cx-
Pedencyof pro'ding an uniform system of gradually clos
IN
hereafter DO brought into market:
.fiso TO take into consideration the cxpediency OF ap
Propriang the proceeds of the public lands after the pay
uent of the public debt, to the promotion OF some naio
slobicct objects.
Mr. wicklie said tc subject was already in its fullest
oxcnt, before the Committee Public Lands to which
Committee it properly belonged, and it would very soon
receive the attention OF that Committee.
Mr-Duncan of Mississippi, offered the following amend
ment to strike out all after tho word "Reso ODD and insert
follows:
That tho Committee the Public Lands be instructed
inf no af
onethrl of the proceeds OF the future sales OF the Public
Lands TO objects of Internal Improvements within the
States IN which said lands sod and that the Com
auee inquire into the cxPediecy of appropriang acr
the naoau debt Is pail) Of the proceeds Of said
land sales for The construction of roads and from the
mississippi 10 the Ohio, the Lakes and the ST. Lawrence
TO the commercial ctes OF the Atuuic aud Of appropria
leg the remaining third OF said proceeds for purposes
oducaton the works objects of improvements 10 be de-
sgnatcd approved by Congress- and money 10 be
pended under the authority OF the States which said
provemcnts are made.
Mr. Carson remarked the acts of cesson contained
an express reservation which directed the manner in
which the proceeds of the public lands should be appro
pnaled Those proceeds WERE in the first place. pledged
for the payment OF the public debt and any surplus was
DO distributed among the States according The ratio in
which they contributed to the public eXpenditurcs-ha
l., the ratio OF Representations
Mr. Mercer remembered the provisions of the acts of
coSson referred 10 by the gentleman; and he wished TO
monty the resolution so as 10 embrace distribution of
proceeds OF the Public Lands, after the PAYMENT of ho
Na9na DEBT and at The same time to preserve the pre-
sent land system We all know that the public lands were
acquired by our success i'll the Revolutionary contest in
which were engaged tho common blood and treasure of
all the States. All know that Congress invited the States
TO cede these lands giving reason the proceeds
OF The sale ought TO be applied TO the payment of the
public debts. All the acts of ccssion provle snoci,
y that the lands coded shall be common fund for the SER
vice OF the several States in proportion their contrbu.
lions to the public service Thi, mode of dis,ribnion
had reference 70 the mode of taxation which had been
adopted twas, at one time, proposed that the valuation
o. an The improved estates in each State, should form
Treasury but it objected TO- being within tho
compass Of the Government ono nation in Europe had
attempted this mode and it took fifteen years to complete
valuation. Population was, therefore, adopted the
rule OF representation and taxation, allowing three
tho Virginia, North Carolina and Connecticut acts
OF ccssion evidently look to a distribution of the lands
OF their proceeds, according to federal numbers. Mr.
Mercer thought, that, as the time for the liquidation
of the public debt at hand the objects and terms of
these grants deserved the special consideration of Congress
Those terms binding the Government in law and
conscience, and by The Constitution. lie entirely I'M
willing TO blend the question the future disposition
the public lands with the question presented in the rcou
ton OF modification of the land laws. The present sys-
tenn for the disposition OF the public lands its origin
aormer member of the Senate of the United States from
Ohioto whose worth and Intelligence he took this
sion TO render the need of his humble prascand had
proved blessing TO those States TO which had been APP
system adopted in Western Virginia. in North Carolina
and in Kentucky On the side we have seen indus
try con!entment and securityon the other poverty and
perpetual lSation-lle would not touch the land laws
Here the hour allotted 10 resolutions expired and mo-
ton to suspend the rule ost.l
Mr.. Mitchell OF South Carolina, submitted ho following
resolution, which lies day the table:
ReSopet That the Secretary Of the Treasury be direct
cd to inquire OF the Collectors of the ports of Boston, New
York. Phalelph1, Baltimore and Charleston, what con-
formations Of struggled goods and what suits had occurred
between the Collectors OF those ports and the citizens the
United S~es the subjects of any foreign power in re-
lation to frauds practiscI the aws-spccfyine
the amount of property invoyedthc datcthc names Of
the parties, and the DEGREES of the Court each case from
the lst OF January 1920 70 tho first of September 1891
On motion Of Mr.. Stewart it was
ReS0Lre1 That the Committee Internal Improve.
mcnts be instructed 10 inquire into the pcdency OF pro-
ding Tor the continuation OF the improvement steam
boat navigation OF the waters Of the Ohio Mississippi
by extending the same the Monongahca river TO such
point as they may deem practicable AMI cxpcdicnt.
Mr. Sewer submitted the following resolution which
was laid on the table for day:
Resolued, That the President Of the United States be re-
quested to communicate TO this House, Of it is not incom
paitbe with the public interes0 what have been
taken, W any) to ascertain aud establish permanently the
boundary line between the Territory OF Arkansas and tho
Mexican Government.
On motion Of Mr. Hogan, il was
Resoiref, That the Committee Commerce be in
.ructed to inquire into e expedency of providing for the
Icaton OF Intercourse between the United States and
the neiShboTng Provinces Of Great Britain by land and
inland navigation, and To- preventing violations the Re
venue Laws the inland frontier.
Mr.. Williams submitted the following resolution which
lies one day the table:
Resoire9 That so much Of the 18th rule Of this House
as limits the presentation OF reports and resolutions 10 ono
hsuT, be re5cndcl. Gl0bc.
IN SENATE
TTeinesdGy, Dec. "a 1891