Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-03-26
LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.
SPEECH OF Mr. BOWDEN or WILLIAMSBURG,
7
House Of DeifgGtes-friddy, .Harch 4, 1912.


lie constuonay, propriety or party bearings OF tn
Distribution law. have risen with such intention
The recent connection with political Subjects my lo
ston ana the imposing array oiearning and eoGueac
mershalled on each side OF this rated subject ak
forbid such proceeding my part | wish simply t
explain the peculiar views which entertained OH II.
pending resolutions, and the which have nu
rncrd ne ~ arrvin. at my conclusion. The resolu
ton proposes the appointment Of agent 10 recely
Vrgna's proportion of the proceeds Of the publ
lands-Ihe amendment is substantially proposition I
reject our portion Of the money, and instead thereof
pass general resolution condemninr the oct of tn
Extra Session for distributing the money arising fron
The sales osthe public domain, and expressing the sens
Of the General Assembly, that said act should be re
pea!cd Sincerely believing that such an act cngi
10 have been passed in The present embarrassed
d:nn of the Federal Treasury, when that Treasury il
bankrupt, when National Debt is impending o yer us
and when is universally admitted that The General Go
vernment must burden the people will! increased taxa
ton, cannot on that account bring my mind TO the
conc fusion that it is wise and prudent to reject ou
portion Of the Dsirbu.ahle fund.- that we are con
strained by constitutional difficulties 10 pursue such
course. Were we now engaged members Of Con
sress the passage of such law, the reasoning of zen
tsmen would be pertinent, and to my mind convinc
ng b"t NE lac has passed, the proper tribunal has de
cIded that distribution sha take place Nearly all the
States of the Union will receive their share; all the
evils supposed to belong to the law will arise and
main ID force during tie continuance Of The aw and
tie question presented for decision is this: Are
willing suffer the evils arising froul particular
Iiw, and because Of hostility 10 the law, refuse
cur just and equal participation in its renc6is;-
Can this law be more Objectionable 10 gentlemen on
constitutional grounds, than the act for deposit.
ing the surplus revenue with the States The
word deposte in this act meant, land | believe
was generally understood 10 mcan) nothing more
less than TO distribute Yet both parties The Wings
and the Democracy, with Gen. jackson al their head,
approved ard passed the deposte act, and the States
received their proportions of the Federal funds without
dissenting voice. Congress has passed various laws
making internal improvements in the States without
their assent which the States Rights party hold to be
against the Constitution. Did ever any States Rights
State because of being opposed refuse permit such
Improvements in its borders, The u. S. Bank was
supposed 10 BE- unconstitutional did Virginia Vr-
rinars because of SAID constitutional opinion, reject
the facilities which il afforded and the advantages
which il conferred: The truth is plainly this whether
we decide in favor of receiving rejecting the Law
must remain in force I'LL repealed. IL we reject other
States Will refuse to initiate example. They will re-
ceive their proportion; the Treasury will be drained Of
all nearly all the money arising from land sales; the
Tariff will be increased TO supply the vacuum occasion.
ed by that drain s. all experience the evils arising
from Distribution The law VIII not be repealed, in my
opinion, any sooner by our rejecting, than BY our re-
ceivng the fund; and am for making the evils of the
law fall as lightly upon possible BY receiving its
benefits whilst we are subject TO its operations Nor
even were my opinions different from those expressed
In the session Of 1899, the District which have the
honor now tn represent, was represented by disn
ruished gentleman occupying the first station in
the national councils. lie came into the legislature
warm, Jealous and devoted advocate OF Distribution
He brought this 10 the notice Of the legislature
his instance committee annnniSb II" ~-i-', -
he reported to tins BODY various resou
rs ;os rnco,nending distribution of the money arising
from the sales OF the public lands; and in his place he
rfipcfuallv in having his reSolu
,ions adopted Since that period my constituents, WIN
full knowledge Of his opinions and conduct IN rela-
ton to this subject, concurrcd almost unanimously w
yonr for his elevation to an Office IN which ne Woulu
be called give such direct and pracuca support ~
This measure as he might deem most conducive 10 the
nubl;c interest have received ntimaors, that the
voters OF that District now entertain views OF this sub
iect different from those expressed by their representa-
tive IN 1899. By their views aud by their wishes my
cours should be guided, and shall accordingly sup
nor, the Distribution act (by my vote) 50 long as
dops not inlriny disturb the act OF Congress passed
the ID Of March 1888 for the settlement Of the Tariff,
commonly called the Compromise ac' but, on the con.
,rary leaves the said act sacred and ingiolaie
It affords me great pleasure to find distinguished
members of the hig party entertaining The same doc
,rne in relation TO the Compromise act, as connected
with Distributions MIR. Preston, no longer ago than The
III, of February in the u. S. Senate the prescn-
ta,ion of petition praying 70. an increase OF the Ia
rT declared shat he adhered 10 the principles OF that
act and would not entertain the question OF exceeding
twenty per cent until il could be shown that alter re-
storing the proceeds of The pubic lands to Tue lreasu
rv-from which they ought never tn have been taken
under the existing financial condition of the Govern
ment-tlle public service could not he carried on with
ont raising revennc beyond that standard" Such ap
prurs TO Inc indspuaby 10 be the true policy OF Inc
Snnth Never raise taxes and collect money Design
edl for The purpose of distributions; but, if, from The
onrralon of the laws, enacted solely Tor The
nose of raising necessary supplies; or II, from inc
oncraton of other foruous circumstances we should
have redundant treasury, which, u undstrlouteo,
yond either remain idle in ''cankered heaps, slowed
away in Sub treasury vaults, Gripping the enterprise,
and INDUSTRY and prosperity of the country, by with
drawing from circulation so great portion OF the very
He. blood OF exchange and commerce; or u pnt INTO
circulaton not expended IN the economical adm'ns-
,re,ion Of a Republican Government, but rroiusely
,.,dered in visionary schemes, and heorising enter
in castle building, erecting "lght-houses IN the
;cs' or more vcly still, in corupng the virtue oil
public servants debauchng national morals transform
rr Congress and the State Lagsia lures INTO mere pup
u.Is of the Federal Notwithstanding the tram Of
his s,iprnd,arcs and dependents uniting an over
,dowinr aud allcontroIltng kng'y power, under the
nm me of President and tramplng the rights the Dig.
ri:y the sovereignty OF the States, PROSTATE IN Inc
d Il; under snch o! things every consideration
~ noIcy eypeG;encv and patriotism would dictate that
srh surplus revenue should be returned, through line
State Governments the people, rather than BE- hoard
ed in state of proless inacton, or be wasted III works
of prodigal extravaganza, used as means oil wrest
ing their liberties from the people, and concentrating
a mower in the hands of one man." The Constitution
coners on Congress the power to dispose oil lie
land, MS of the o,her public property OF the cnioh;-
aConsress may dispose Of and make all needtui rules
and regulations concerning the errttoryand amer Pno
lie property of the Union" Here the territory ana
other public property placed upon direct equality
speak not OF The deeds Of cession' ou, OF Inc
constitutional provision alone. If Congress had right
some few wears ago, to depose w,t e. TO give 10
The States the vhole surplus revenue no, only that
arising from the sale of the lands but also that arsns
from the CUSTOMS foriioTi, they have r'sh unue,
States the revenue comprised in the land iund you
admit the ri1h, 10 distribute the revenue from Gus
toms, You are forced TO admit the righto distribute .he
money raised from the and-The former the MAJOR the
latter the minor proposition-the former being admit
ted, the latter follows as irresistible conclusion
But the latter may be admitted without ncicd'ns ,hs
former Ii is for Congress 10 decide, whether II mas
he RIGHT 10 do either the one the other but having
done the more questionable act in former years. and al