Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1841-1853, 1846-04-16

prudent, and economical management of the fund, it
had been made to yield the uttermost farthing. and
had been not only faithfully, but honestly. wisely,
and economically expended. The lands had been sold
for their full value. The mode adopted for disposing
of them was the best that could have been, with a
view of increasing the fund. Those who at the time
believed that they ought TO have been sold at auction,
became convinced that they were in error, and that
the mode ad~opted-that by yaluation-proved to be
the best in view of increasing the fund.
Mr.. c. said he was prepared, with documents on
file, to show that the charges made against Alabama,
and those who managed this fund, were destitute of
any foundation. He challenged the strictest investi-
cation. He would do more-he would take the affirm
alive, and show that in the whole transaction, no
shadow of just complaint could be made. By docu-
ments on file, he could show that no fund had ever
been more faithfully or economically expended TO the
perfect satisfaction of this government as well as of
Alabama. The work, as far as 1t had been done.
(and every dollar and more had been expended had
cost less than any other work of the same kind in the
country, and had been as well done. In addition to
the proceeds of the sale of the land, Alabama has ap-
propriated some forty thousand dollars; and by a few
patriotic citizens of that State, including some of the
canal commissioners, as he (Mr. c. had been inform
ed, had advanced out of their own private funds a
considerable sum In addition, towards the work, that
had never been refunded.
MIR. CALEB B. SMITH followed. He urged the
strong claims that the people of the West had upon
the g~overnment-not only by virtue Of the compact,
but upon the abstract merits of the work itself with
out reference TO that compact. He hoped that Con-
gress would now settle the question fnally-that it
would either resume the work or abandon it forever.
Mr.. ISAAC E. HOLMES, (Mr. Smith yielding said
he desired to know whether he was to understand the
gentleman, as a western man, to say that if the ques-
ton was now decided in the affirmative or the mega
tive, it would never be taken up again!
MIR. SMITH. 1t is not In my power to make
pledges as to what the action of a subsequent Con-
gress may he. For my part, / am confident that the
people interested in the road will never be satisfied
until at least partial, if not full, justice be done in
relation to this matter.
Mr.. HOLMES. If the gentleman is here at the next
session of Congress, and this question should now be
decided one way or another, will he say that he will
trouble himself no further about it!
Mr.. SMITH. / will not make any premature CON-
initials. l wish to leave myself perfect liberty of
action so long as | remain here.
Mr.. OWEN took the floor, but yielded a moment to
Mr.. g. w. JONES, between whom and Mr.. c. B
SMITH and Mr.. BOYD, some conversation passed.
Mr.. OWEN further yielded, to enable
Mr.. G. DAVIS to give notice of the following
amendment
"And whereas certain States received 500, 900 acres
of land, under and by virtue of an act entitled an acl
to appropriate the proceeds of the sales of the pu bic
lands, and to grant presumption rights, approved
September 18th, 1841 Be 1t further enacted, That
each and every State of the United States, other than
those to which the said SOC, 900 acres of land were
appropriated by the act aforesaid, shall be entitled
and there is hereby appropriated 20 each of them
SOC, 600 acres of land. and each of such States MAY
select that quantity out of any of the inappropriate
public lands, in quantities of not less than loo acres
ProUided, That the lands which every State may Sc
lect under this at, shall be surveyed and sold by the
authority and officers of the United States govern
ment, as other public lands, and as the money may be
received, it shall be paid over to the States, whose
lands may have been Sold"
Mr.. OWEN said l propose to detain the committe
but a few minutes by any remarks Of mine.
shall vote for the substitute offered by my col
league, (Mr. Wick } the substitute proposing an ap
preparation of lands, and cutting off the Cumberland
; road forever from federal legislation. / shall vote 70
it, not for the reasons suggested by the gentleman
from Ohio, (Mr. Schenck,) as those which, he sup
posed, guided the friends of that amendment not be
cause | will take it as the best | can get; not that
put up with it as thinking that half a loaf is bette
than no bread but because | prefer it.
l shall vote for it, because l desire to see the ques
| ton of this road, so far as the action of Congress i
concerned, settled now, at once, and forever. | de
: sire never to hear the words ''Cumberland road pro
nounced in this hall again. As a western man l de
sire this. | believe there is not a question of n
greater magnitude that has done US, in the West
more harm than this. 1t mislcads our politicians. |
J tempts them into latitudinarian views on the subjec
of internal improvement. In one sense we can hard
ly be said TO be free agents in the matter. A publ
expectation has grown up, created, very naturally
not very justly, by our past legislation a public ex
~pectation in regard to the completion of this road
; which causes our legislature Of Indiana to pass, yea
after, resolutions unanimously instructing our Sena
tors and requesting our Representatives, to vote 70
appropriations on this road. To a feeling so genera
! we must needs, in a measure, defer. | see no end t
these expectations, nor to the yearly excitements t
J which they will necessarily give rise on this floor.
see not how the Gordian knot can be united there
fore ! prefer to cut it.
Sir, | do not share the constitutional ~scruples o
some among the s~trictest constructionists of the House
see not that we are forbidden to improve and adorI
} the grounds around this Capitol, or to purchase a Ii
brary of Congress, though neither object be expressl.
specified in the constitution. | see no constitutions
objection to building such magnificent pillars as thoS
which surround our chamber, unnecessary as they are
and sorry as | am to see them here where they Injur
instead of beneiting. But | do see great and grow
ing evils, l see yearly increasing dangers, in tina
principle, which would engraft on our federal legisla
ton a mammoth system of internal improvements.
am opposed to it on every principle of expediency. 1
is bad enough, that States should engage In such.
speak of that which | have had occasion to know.
have passed through the period of internal improve
ments in our State and ] may add, have done what
could to aid to aid in arrestlng her in her headlone
{ course. Yet, as q general rule, q State can better anC
more safely conduct internal improvements than the
general government a county better than a State
and better yet individuals than a county. The fur
Their the executive power is removed from the business
to be done, the more chance of wasteful expenditure
and of corrupting patronage. 1t is unwise to extend
beyond simple and necessary limits the sphere Of fed
eraI legislation and of all such extensions, this o
internal improvements is one of the most insidious
one the most necessary to be guarded aud controlled
am sorry this matter of the Cumberland road
stands as it does; but so standing, | think we shall
never be able to terminate 1t on better terms than tc
grant these lands, and have done with 1t. Nominal
lv the lands NAV he called worth n dollar and a mar.