Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1847-01-02
.... SPEECH OF
w M. +. WITZLER Z,
OF BOONE.

Saturday, Dec. 9Th '46, the Memorial to
Congress, asking that the proceeds Of the
500, 700 acres of land be appropriated to
the support Of Common Schools being un-
der consideration in the House of Repre-.
sentatives, and Mr.. Ballou, of Benton, hav.
ing made a speech in opposition to the
Memorial, Mr.. Switzler. of Boone, said in
reply in substance as follows:
Mn. STRENGTHENING forgotten that
such Memorial as this was upon the Ia
ble of the House, its discussion at this time
has taken me by surprise, as, doubt not.
other members also. Nevertheless as the
| House, by a vote, have determined now to
consider and decide the question upon its
merits, refusing to postpone to future day
its consideration, the occasion cannot be
foregone briefly to state. in a general man.
ner. and in reply TO the gentleman from
Benton, the reasons influencing my support
Of the proposition before US.
Although in favor of the appropriation of
these funds to the support Of Common
Schools. the conclusion must not thence be
deduced that am opposed to internal i'm
provements. On the contrary, l take
pleasure in avowing myself the earnest and
sincere friend of a wise and provident sys-
tenn Of Public Works. An opposite policy
would be inconsistent with the doctrine and
practice Of the political party to which
belong. Yet, whilst the wings, as politi-
cal organization. duly appreciate the emf
nent wisdom and necessity Of internal i'm.
provements, in the light of affording facili,
ties to Labor and Commerce--whilst they
| have regarded the doctrine with favor, and
under proper circumstances have practised
it in Congress and elsewhere to the general
prosperity of the country--it is likewise
and no less true that the wings, in all times
and places. and in every condition of pub.
lie affairs. have been and yet are, the stead.
fast, the consistent, the devoted friends of
Popular Education. And If, of either doc
trine, one occupies place nearer the grea,
Wing heart Of the country than the other,
it is EDucATIoN-the Education Of the
n,dsses.
This Memorial is brief and to the point
1t asks Congress, in the name Of the people
Of the State. so to change the terms and
conditions Of the law by which these lands
are rendered, and under which we have
accepted them, that the Legislature of
Missouri. instead Of applying them to the
purposes Of internal improvement, can ap-
propriate them to the support of Common
Schools. Whilst the act of Congress re-
mains unrepealed. these lands cannot. in
good faith. take the destination the Memo
rial proposes. The lands having been &C.
cepted by the State under certain condi.
tons. the public faith is pledged that they
will be appropriated to the objects specified
in the grant Any other and different
disposition Of them. by this or a subsequen,
Legislature, that law being at the time un-
repealed by Congress, would be an unpar-
donable breach Of trust to which no one
here is capable Of conserving. Therefore,
although firmly persuaded of the wisdom
and propricty Of the disposition sought by
this Memorial. and although devoted and
enthusiastic friend of Common Schools
nevertheless should be very far from ap,
propria,ing these lands to that noble object
without the previous consent or subsequent
ratification of Congress. So long as the
terms Of the grant remain unchanged, the
Legislature is morally bound faithfully tc
apply the lands either to one or all the
objects Of improvement set out 10 the act
making the donation.
Yet, in view of the inadequacy Of the
fund for the completion of any Public
Work called for by the whole people, anG
the time and money which have been, anc
will be, spent in unsuccessful Legislation tc
appropriate il, the conviction is irresistible
that the present and prospective good of the
masses, and the generations which are t.
follow, will be the better prompted by ap,
plying the whole fund to Common Schoo
Education.
And here, Mr.. Speaker. permit me to d
/ gress and say, that, concerning the object
prompting my introduction of the bill. some
days since, Internationally repeating the
distribution Act of the last Legislature
many gentlemen entertain erroneous i'm
pressions. Representing as have the hon
or to do. the noble county in which the
State University is located, and being here
! and elsewhere a warm friend of that insti
tuition, some have incorrectly imagined tina
: desire these lands. or at least a portion o
: their proceeds, applied to its encouragement
and support. Assurance is now made
f, gentlemen who may have attributed m
. action in these premises, to such a motive
5 that. whilst Missouri has State UNIVERSE,
: in the county of Boone, there are ais
: Common Schools in that county; and tn,
E | am as enthusiastic in the support of III
4 one as am Of the other. Both are VITAL
! essential to the public good. Moreover,
D is not proposed. and will not be for ought
= know, to appropriate one dollar. arisin
e from the sales of these lands to the supper
= Of the University Of the State; and if