The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-04-23

A
whether for angle lecture or for whole course
and he regarded ecturss as the greatest means OF
| extending knowledge which had been AaoPted 10
/ modern times. IL Was second only TO the Invention
/ OF the art Of printing
EyerythinS In the bill tended 10 the increase and
| diffusion of knowledge among men,
/ Some had urged that the trust ought not 10 have
been accepted IL was too late to make that Objec-
/ ton He held that we were now obliged 10 carry
/ n into execution and to the funds themselves,
lhsy ought TO be considered money still in the
| treasury, unconnected with any stocks lie re-
GREETED that any one had proposed to return the
stocks 10 the heirs or kin Of the original owner
Mr.. G. w. JONES said he did not profess to
understand the whole doctrine Of trusts, but if trust
funds were placed in the hands Of the government,
was the government bound TO keep the money in
stead Of investing il Was the government bound to
pay interest on il without investing il
Mr.. J. DAVIS That will depend on the char
acter Of the fund, This fund was given in trust for
specific object
Mr.. G. W. JONES. Suppose the fund had been
left to the gentleman from Mississippi, was he
bound TO keep il and pay per cent. interest upon
IL Or If he invested il in Mississippi, or other
State stocks, in good faith, would he be bound as
trustee to make good the principal and interest Of
the fund.-
Mr. JEFFERSON DAVIS could, he said, an-
swer that case In perfect conformity with his own
views and feelings on the subject He would reject
the trust unless he was willing to execute IT. and it
lie misspped the money and delayed to execute the
trust for eight years, he would consider himself
hound in honor ~ make good the whole fund.
Mr. d. continued He would admit that the gov.
ernmen had authority TO take charge OF the sub
Jet Of education, and he did not consider this bill
MS liable to that objection. The normal school sys-
lem he considered highly beneficial, serving to
produce uniformity in the language, and TO lay the
foundation OF all science. The spelling-book Of
Noah Webster, which had been used extensively in
our primary schools, had done more to produce
uniformity 10 language in this country than any
thing else II we sent out good school books from
this institution it would be Of vast service TO the
whole country.
Mr. D. enlarged upon the benefits which would
result 10 science and the diffusion Of every kind Of
useful knowledge, from an institution which would
gather young men from the remotest parts of the
country, at the common point where every facility
for practical instruction would be afforded. The
taste of the country would be refined, and he did
not consider this az anti-democratic. knowledge
was the common cement that was TO unite all the
heterogeneous materials Of this Union into mass
like the very pillars before II there any
constitutional objection to the establishment Of a
corporation he willing strike out that feature
in the bill, and preserve the remainder But let us
do something TO carry out the objects of the tesla
tor or let us u row back the fund upon the chance
ry court of England.
Mr.. MARSH desired, he said, to add a few
words on this subject, but unable TO proceed at
present, in consequence of indisposton. He, there
fore, moved that the committee rise.
Some conversation ensued, upon which Mr..
MARSH withdrew the motion.
Mr.. ]. q. ADAMS expressed a wish that some
progress he made in the bill, by taking vote on
some Of the amendments.
The question was then taken on the amendment
offered BY Mr. SAWYER, and it was decided in the
negative.
On motion Of Mr. MARSH, the committee then
rose and reported progress
LICENSING OF CANAL BOATS.
Mr.. BR0DHEAD submitted, on leave, a mo-
ton that the Committee of the Whole on the state
Of the Union be discharged from the consideration
of the bill relative to the licensing, &c, of canal
boats.
Mr. JACOB THOMPSON inquired whether the
bill contained an appropriation
Mr.. BRODHEAD SAID it did not.
The motion was agreed to; and the question then
on the engrossmcnt.
The bill (of which the reporter has not a copy)
underwent some amendment motion of Mr..
BR0DHEAD and Mr.. DE MOTT.
Mr.. LAWRENCE stated briefly some general
objections to the BILL which were replied to by
Mr. BR0DHEAD, who yielded the floor for in.
quiry to Messrs. THURMAN, GRINNELL, and
GORDON.
On motion of Mr.. BRoDHEAD, a section was
added repeating all laws parts of laws inconsis
tent with this act.
Mr. GORDON moved recommitment Of the
bill to the Committee on Commerce, and indicated
certain Instructions, which were not, however, for
may moved
On the motion to recommit, no quorum voted.
And the House adjourned.
nn