Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1846-08-26

/
where such roads, or other works OF inter-
nal improvements, may pass through pub
lie lands, the United States may contribute
| 10 their construction in their character OF
proprietors, to the extent that they may be
enhanced in price thereby. This has
usually been done by ceding alternate
sections on the projected line of such
works; and il is believed that no mode oil
contributing, more far or better cacula-
ted to guard against abuses, can be devil
sed. That Congress has a right to make
such contributions, where there is reason
able ground TO believe that the public lands
will be enhanced in proportion, under its
right to dispose of the "territory and other
pablo property of the United States,"
your committee cannot doubt. In making
this assertion they mold 10 the rule of strict
construction, and that this power, like all
the other powers of the government, is
trust power, and, as such, is strictly llml-
ted by the nature and object of the trust.
la this case the rule requires that the
lands, and other public property of the U.
States, should be disposed of to the best
advantage; and where that can be done by
contributing portion to works which
would make the residue equally or more
valuable than the whole would be without
it, as is supposed, they hold it would be
strictly within the rule. Your committee
90 further. They are of the opinion, not
only that Congress has the right to contri.
butte to the extent stated, in such cases,
but that it is in duty bound to do so, as the
representative of a part of the proprelors
of the land to be benefited. 1t would be
neither Just nor fair for it to stand by and
realize the advantage they would derive
from the work, without contributing due
proportion towards its construction. 1t
would be still less justifiable TO refuse to
contribute, it its effects should be to defeat
a work, the construction of which, while
T it would enhance the value of the land be-
longing to the public, and that of indvidu-
al proprletors, would promote the prosperi-
ty of the country generally.
But, however clear the power, or how
ever literally it my be exercised, it can
do but little towards the construction OF
the projected railroads between the valley
of the Mississippi and the southern Allan
tic ports. They will pass through com
paratlvely but a small portion OF the pub
lie lands. and that remnant which has
been long in market, and has remained
unsold, because of very inferior quality.
But il does not follow that the federal go
yernment cannot render efficient aid TO-
, wards their construction, because IT can dc
; little by direct contribution. 1t can, not
withstanding, do much---if not in that
, way, in another less efectual--by the re-
moyal of the heavy burden imposed on
their construction by its own acts; they re-
, fer TO the duty on iron.
1t is well known that tho cost OF iron IL
5 one Of the heaviest items everywhere IN
: the expense of constructing railroads. Ia
constructing those projected between the
, southern Atlantic States and the valley o.
t the Mississippi, which, for the most part
! will pass through level country, abound
, ing in good timber, and requiring but little
/ grading or expenditure TO acquire the RICH
= Of way. tits by far the heaviest OF all the
items. The duty on iron OF description
t calculated TO form a substantial and dura
: Bile road IT irony is itself charge OF up
: wards of $4,000 the mile--a sum equal tc
t about one sixth Of what would probably be
: the average aggregate cost per mile 0
: constructing those roads.
g It's this heavy burden which retards 'h'
d completion of system of railroads, which
!, when completed, will do so much not only
h for the mutual prosperity and defence 0
r, the States Immediately Interested, but To-
!. that Of the whole Union. Thus regard
!. inc it, YOUR committee are of opinion that
= on every principle of exPedlency and ialr
: ness, moi 10 say justice, this burden o,ngh
: 10 be either wholly removed, or at Ieas
II reduced TO the rate which stfic' resaf'
/ to revenue principles would demand -
d They believe that neither would material
y Iy effect the prosperity of chat branch
9 our manufacturers. The increased lmpnls
1i which it would give TO the construction o
r railroads over the whole Union, and IN
n impulse which their construction would
10 in turn, give to the general prosperity, b.
h chenpening tho cost OF transportation, an
D enlargiug the sphere of demand, would, J,
CT their opinion, in great measure # not al
j. together, compensate the loss which NIGH
re result 10 the manufacturers of iron, by
b. greatly increased demand for other de
III scriplions of iron. But, whether sue
De would be the case or not, certain II IS tho
(; all other interests-agrlculturu, commel
" cial and even manulacturlng--wouid
x very greatly benefited by the increase
rapidly and cheapness Of transportation
n If TO this be added the still more lmporia'
CHI considerations--ihe great and happy inf
DIS ence il would have in political and socl
nd point Of view, and the increased safety
e. the country from the vastly increase
IN. means Of defence which a widely exten
~. III s,s,s,n of railroads would furnish