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

dS SUCH, III tu6lT OpIutoHS uOL ctHuIdCCu III
the power to regulate commerce. But
they are, nevertheless, of the opinion that
where such roads, or other works of inter-
nal Improvements, may pass through pub,
| lie lands, the United States may contribute
TO 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 it is believed that no mode OF
contributing, more fair or better calcula.
ted to guard against abuses, can be devil
sed. That Congress has 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 hold 10 the rule of strict
construction, and that this power, like all
the other powers of the government, is a
trust power, and, as such, is strictly limi-
ted by the nature and object of the trust.
Ia this case the rule requires that the
lands, and otner public property of the u.
States, should be disposed of to the best
advantage; and where that can be done by
contributing a 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
go 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 proprietors
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 iustifable to refuse to
contribute, if its effects should be to defeat
work, the construction of which, while
it would enhance the value of the land be-
longing to the public, and that of individu-
al proprietors, 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
parativeIy 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
verntnent cannot render efficient aid to-
wards their construction, because 1t can do
little by direct contribution. 1t can, not
withstanding, do much-if not in that
way, in another less effectual--by the re-
lmova{ Of the heavy burden imposed on
their construction by its own acts: they re-
fer TO the duty on iron.
1t is we'll known that the cost of iron Is
one Of the heaviest items everywhere In
the expense of constructing railroads. In
constructing those projected between the
southern Atlantic States and the valley OF
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 right
of way, it is by far the heaviest of all the
items. The duty on iron of a description
calculated TO form a substantial and dura-
BILE road ct irony is itself charge OF up
wards of $4,000 the mle-a sum equal to
about one sixth of what would probably be
the average aggregate cost per mile Oh
constructing those roads.
It's this heavy burden which retards the
completion of system of railroads, which,
when completed, will do SO much not only
for the mutual prosperity and defence OF
the States Immediately interested, but Tor
that of the whole Union. Thus regard
ing it. YOUR committee are of opinion that,
on every principle of expediency and fair
ness, not to say justice, this burden ought
to be either wholly removed, or at least
reduced to the rate which strict regard
to revenue principles would demand
They believe that neither would material
: ly effect the prosperity of that branch oil
, our manufactures. The increased impulse
which it would give to the construction oil
railroads over the whole Union, and the
impulse which their construction would
in turn, give to the general prosperity, by
cheapening the cost of transportation, and
: charging the sphere of demand, would, IN
their opinion, in great measure 1t not al
: together, compensate the loss which might
2 result TO the manufacturers of iron, by q
greatly increased demand for other de
4 scriptions of iron> But, whether suct
e would be the case or not, certain IT Is tina
+; all other interests-agricultural, commer
y cial, and even manufacturing--would bt
: very greatly aene6tted by the increased
rapidity and cheapness of transportation
+ If TO this be added the still more lmPortan
h considerations--the great and happy infil
S ence il would have in political and socla