Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-05-05

Upon The first bill an argument arose as 10 The
constitutional power Of Congress 10 make such
grants While we are strongly inclined 10 the i'm
preston, that the giving Of land for purposes OF
internal improvement, is as substantially in con-
lravenlion of Inc Constitution, as an appropria-
lioa of money 10 The same end, we are willing 10
lei our readers judge for themselves OF The views
advanced on both sides. We Take from the Ma
tional lnleigcncer brief sketch OF the leading
arguments:
MIR. Westcott said he was disposed 20 support
the bill mentioned although he should prefer
some modification made OF It's provisions; but he
would like that il should not be taken up a, this
lime, for The reason, that il was expected that
report would soon be made from he Select Com.
miuee, Of which the Senator from South Caro-
lima, Mr.. Calhoun, was Chairman, relating TO the
subject OF donations of lands 10 The States for
internal improvements, in order tha, some gene
raj system might b. adopted.
Mr.. Calhoun observed that il might be proper
for him to stale, as The Senator from Florida had
alluded 10 the subject, that il would probably take
some time 10 finish that report, as The subject was
a complicated one, and required good dea OF
deiberalion. AS far as the Michigan bill was
concerned he understood The principle was sim
for The purpose OF enhancing the value OF The re-
mainder. Upon this point he would say, that he
had moi the slightest doubt that the Government
not only had the right, as the proprielofs OF The
pubic domain, TO grant portions Of that domain
for such purpose, but that il was The duty OF the
Government 10 DO so. The Government in his
opinion, ought 10 BE- ashamed OF allowing their
lands 10 be enhanced in value BY the exerlions
and at The cost OF a Stale, without contributing in
some degree 10 produce This result. Whether the
particular works in this case were OF such de-
scriplion as 10 induce the belief that The obec OF
the donation would be attained, or whether the
extent offered for selection was mol too great, were
matters for The consideration OF Senator'S. 1.-The
were entirely satisfied on these points, he would
be glad 10 sec the land appropriated. lie thought
however, that there ought 10 be provision in
PRODUCED securing 10 the Government The right
oftransit upon the road intended 10 be constructed
Mr. Sewer desired 10 know the quantity OF land
that was TO be granted.
Mr. Woodbridge said the entire length OF the
railway was about two hundred miles, OF which
forty miles had already been completed. The
length of the canal was about two hundred and
sixteen miles, of which sixteen or twenty miles
had been completed.
MIR. Sewer. Do these works belong 10 the
State?
Mr.. Woodbridge They do The financial
circumstances OF the Stale, however, would not
allow her TO go on and finish the works, wilhou,
receiving some aid, which might be rendered her
in The way here proposed, TO the mutual advan-
lage Of the State and The General Government.
Mr. Niles said he believed tn. Legislature OF
Michigan had recently passed law authorizing
these works 10 be sold, in order TO enable them 10
be finished. They were now in the market and
must become the property Of individuals or Of a
corporation. He thought, therefore, that il was
vcry serious question how far the proprietoTs OF
the road or canal would bp entitled 10 the benefits
accrung from grant OF the public domain. He
was not much of lawyer but he thought there
| was reason 10 believe that the grant would enure
! 10 The benefit of The purchasers.
lie was sorry 10 find his friend from South Ca
rolina abandoning one OF the veneraed doctrines
OF The democratic creed, and talking about The
| power OF the General Government TO make roads
throughout the States. Ii this were admitted,
| they might as well abandon all attempts TO con-
fine The powers OF The Government within their
| proper limits. He was sorry 10 see so broad and
| iIlimitabie doctrine sustained BY such high au-
thori;y. 1.-THE mere possession IT property on The
part oil This Government was sufficient To give TO
il This unlimited power, there was no knowing TO
what extent they might go. II would compre-
bend the construction oil roads everywhere, where
ever The public domain vas 10 be found.
The bill was moi small matter in itself II
had reference 10 public works OF great extent
and Congress was very modeslly asked 10 aid in
their construction b. grant OF half the public
lands lying in the vicinity OF those works; and.
as an inducenenl 10 do this, they were told that
The value OF the rest OF the land would be so
much increased that Inc Government would be
gamer. He heard oi man once who boosted
that he had made 10000 dollars. Upon being
questioned as 10 low he had made that sum, he
1y,s
had increased their valuation 10 the extent OF
900 dollars. Gentlemen here proposed in like
manner 10 indemnify the Government by making
up the price OF the public lands. But IL was all
a humbug. He understood that this was sort
OF pioneer bill put forward 10 break The way Tor
one in which his friend from Mississippi Mr..
Speishl was interested; ANA he believed there
was 10 be ore from almost all OF the new States.
The public domain would eventually in this way
be entirely absorbed. A system more unjust
and more destitute OF the principles OF sound le-
sislation cond not be conceived II was The re-
mark Of man distinguished in the history OF
this country, that there were three ways OF living
one TO live upon The interest of capital; another
upon The wages OF industry; and third by steal.
ing either so called or not 50 called. As applied
10 individuals, his would be rather strong re-
mark; but as applied 10 corporations, il was
Just one 10 say that when the two former sources
Of living failed, then they seltiom scruped 10
avail themselves ofthe latter Works are under
taken without the means requisite Tor lheir com
pIetion and il became necessary that the public
should be pnndered either collectively or indivi-
dually. And This was The sort OF plrnder that
they were nov called on 10 favor. lie hoped The
bill would be laid upon the table
Mr. Calhoun said he had stated when he was
IN before, that he thought the Government had
right, when any improvement in the shape OF
road or canal was proposed, 10 contribute as pro-
prielor OF properly 10 DO benefited by such i'm
pavement by giving alternate sections 0! The
public domain The Senator from Connecticut
had denounced this opinion as being departure
from his former course. lie asked The Sena-
Tor (and he would yield him the floor lor replyl
wherein il was in The smallest degree a departure
The Senator was silent, and well ne might Dr; Tor
he was entirely unable TO maintain The assertion.
And he certainly thought, as matter OF coure-
.y before making charge Of that kind, The Sc
major should al least have looked into his past
votes and past actions in similar cases There
had never been lime when he had not acted
precisely as now. lie had voted for grants OF al
lernate sections OF land TO the Illinois canal, and
on all other occasions his vote had been The same
vet The Senator from Connecticut, without re-
gard 10 his feelings or 10 the justice that was due
to him, got up and announced 10 The Senate mat
he had abandoned his former opinions. lie deem
ed it due 10 any Senator, when charge OF this
kind was made, that it should be made upon
thorough examination of the facts He acted i
now upon The principle upon which he had acted
from The beginning-a principle which appeared
10 him to be perfectly clear; it did not involve The
question OF internal improvement at all it in
volved simply The question OF propretolTship As
to The ouanniy OF land 10 be granted, he gave no
opinion; ,ha, was mailer entirely discretionary
with Congress.
Mr.. Niles The Senator believe, has always
voted against appropriations for The Cumberland
road.
Mr.. Calhoun. Certainly.
MIR. Niles. believe ne has always denied,
as have, any general power 90 the part OF the
Government, 10 execute works OF internal i'm
provement in any torn. New he Tells Us that
certain Improvements may be made BY the Gov
eminent, in consequence OF its character as pro
prielor oi the public domain; and inferred that
his principle was bread enough 10 lead 10 almost
any result, and still think SO.
MIR. Calhoun. II the gentleman cannot see
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