The Arkansas advocate., 1836-06-10
SPEECH OF THE HON: HUGH L. WHITE.
OF TENNESSEE

b. IL.
 TENNESSEE
 On he Blu to distribute he proceeds of He sales o the Public Eands aaong the dferem Staes, detivered oa the 25th of April, 1856.
 Mir. PRESIDENT. The subject under consideration is not new, but the circumstances connected with it both novel and important.
 Formerly in debt, and had no money in the Treasury, which could not conveniently use. Now we owe nothing, and nave oyerfowing Treasury. The common wants for an economical administration of the Government, will require but small portion of our vast and accommodating treasure and the question is what disposition shall we make of the surplus.
 Several subjects have been presented An increase of the Army, of the Navy additional Notifications and munitions of War, is one plan. Another Is to put the funds in the power of the Commissioners the Sinking Fund.- and let them vest them in stocks, which will add wealth. third is, form contracts with ncor porated Rail road Companies, for transporting the mail your warlike stores and your armies And the fourth s that presented by this Bill which is to distribute the proceeds of the Public lands among the several States In forming an opinion upon this subject, find myself compelled to form some opinion each of the others also that may be able to decide which ought to be pre- ferred.
 But the first question be settled is one of power
 If we have power to dispose of this money as this Bill proposes 1t is only waste of time pursue this subject any farther
 Some of our enlightened public men, years past. fore saw difficulties which would, in time, originate from surpuses accommodating in the treasury. and suggested this very plain for dsposing of them Some doubted the power under the Constitution and suggested an amend ment to remove the doubt others felt doubts there fore did not deem any amendment necessary All however, seem to have concurred in the fairness and justice Of this disposition of such nds might not be needed, for the uses of the Federal Government
 If mistake not, Mr. Jefferson, while President made suggestion to Congress on this subject.
 Ten years ago honorable Senater from New JeTsey Secretary of the Navy and do him the justice to add, then, we'll now zealous friend of the present Chief Magistrate, moved in this body on this subject had Committee created, made able detailed report, accompanied by a bn which was not finally acted on during the session.
 To do that gentleman ustce must recur to this re- port and read such parts of 1t material, that We may have the benefit of his opinion enforced by him. self It is found n the 4t vol fthe Senate Documents at the session 1895 and 1926, doc. 95 page and is these words:
 ssThe Committee from as careful an examination of the sub]ects as due attention to their other duties would permit them to make have the conclusion that great advantages would result the United States from an annual distribution among them by equit able ratio of portion of national for the purpose of education and internal improvement or for such other purposes the State Governments may spectvey deem most to their advantage. Whether the United States shall divide the whole of their revans beyond what required for the usual expenditure of the Government domestic and foreign, civil, military and nayals to the reduction of public debt until the whole of 1t shall be extnguished whether they shall apply portion o those proposed for the important purposes and thereby cause more gradual reduction of the public debt, resolves itself ques ton of expediency.
 It remains for Congress to determine which of these
 
 the future prosperity of the country There can be no doubt that money distributed among the States as proposed, would be invested in q way to give much greater proit than the interest such money would yield at three, fore and half five per cent, which the rates of the interest paid on the great CT part of our public debt.
 As large portion of this debt is payable to persons Tn Europe to discharge 1t fast as our means would permit, would be to send from the country than necessary funds that wanted at home the ncon- veniece of which would be sensby felt in the present embarrassed state of annoyed market and most pro ably, for several years to come.
 Money distributed as proposed, would give hcay to industry and enterprise in aU the States and that equally and simultaneously.
 lt would create vigilance the part of the State 0overnments the expenditures of the General Gov ernment and thereby prevent the waste 6f meney, and the adoption o extravagant measures, that might dmn lsh the amount of the annual dividends.
 lt would secure impartial justice Co aH fhe Sates in the alsrlbutlon of the expenditures of revenue, aliure o winch at present subfeci sst: complaint.
 alt would relieve the General Government of the serious inconvenience of overowing treasury, which, If not provided for in the manner proposed or by re- auction or our revenues will impair the most ipfrtant principles of our Constitution. cit would relieve the two Houses of Compress of n large portion o egslaon now devoted to the disposal of our surplus nds-fegisaton of the worst kind cal culated to produce combinations sectional feelnos in justice and waste of the public treasures
 cit would transfer to the States, the regulation of pendtures for internal improvements by roads and ca nals which if retained and exercised by the General uovernment, contrary as IS believed by many, to the letter and spirit of Constitution, wl in tie far decrease the of the State Government sfoy the ederatiye principle of Union and our system of conederated republics consolidated Government.