The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-12-21


which II would be impoc for the State TO accept; con-
ditons which would make the grant truly yalueess to
the State think the proper course would be, 10 cede
once all these lands to Florida to adopt such policy
with regard TO their reclamation use, and sales, she
may think BEST trusting TO her interests as the slim
illus 10 insure the undertaking of the work Ii proba-
BILE that these conditions may have been imposed by the
committee which reported the bill but il to me-
repeat that they altogether impoc have no hest
taon, however in saying that the cesson which have
| proposed would be polite and should be made These
lands are now, slrand must continue TO be-pertectly
vaable and vaueess, not only OF profit
the United States for settlement and for agriculture but
they exceedingly weaken the military defences OF the
try IN very essential and important point Perhaps there
Is not more important point on the whole continent than
this peninsula of Florida Its use is now entirely OBJ.
struced by the circumstance that nearly all the lands
upon the line OF coast on either side almost always
covered with water, and are not traversable with
boats Tor they cannot pass with any facility from
side TO the other These lands may possibly be reduced
to use; and if the military offences of the country
Will be greatly strengthened aud its wealth greatly in
creased while population will be added 10 the peninsu
la, which will give new strength, and wealth. and Dig
nifty to the State within the boundaries of which these
lands are situated 1t will also give strength and wealth
TO the Unlon OF which that State forms member.
trust, sir that when this bill comes up again. it may
be reduced to the single clause of cesson unrestricted By
conditions and especially by those which clog the
grant; and which think will obge me to withhold my
support because conceive it entirely valueess it is
will not, sir, specify the several points OF objection
make to this bill there several objections but
will merely aude TO two 1t restricts the price at
which these lands are TO be sold to the minimum of 81 25
per acre. which, in itself, makes the grant vaueess
Then object to the restrictions with regard to the
ner OF retaining the lands, and also the time of
Their reclamation; all OF which provisions consider to
| be unwise
| Mr.. WESTCOTT. confess am somewhat surprised
at the OF my colleague to this BILL and especial
" at the extraordinary objections he urges to it, do not
hesitate to say tina, prefer the spatons and conditions
presented in this bill to unconditional grant to the
Stale have once before declared on this floor that
anxious as for the United States to get rid of the
public lands, and disposed to grant it in all
tiers without price, do not regard it wise, with refer
either to the United States TO State, to make in
| any unconditional grant to State. Such grant
generally creates in State fund for spectators and
jobbers, pecuniary and political TO plumber from They
will seek TO divert and Perver it to selfish purposes, and
do not derive much benefit from it, The only preventive
is restrictions and conditions in the grant, and these often
fail hope every grant to my State hereafter made will
specify the objects, and contain stpuatons securing
their being effected and 10 prevent the funds being per
verted.
Sir my object by this bill is not to ask favor boon
Tor my State. am not begging for aims in her behalf
from Congress am not seeking to fill the Golfers of her
treasury by the sale of these lands declare to you,
should regard as curse upon the State any measure of
the kind The primary, the great object wish to ATTAIN
is the reclaming of these worthless inundated lands
in South Florida, TO make them cutivable make them
susceptible OF producing sugar. and what other part of
the Union can produce, tropical plants them to be
filled with an industrious agricultural population, and thus
while they will add to the wealth and prosperity of my
State, the independence of other sections of foreign
tries as to those products will be increased and the
ny OF an important frontier naval and military position
strengthened | seek, nothing that will not as much
benefit other portions of the United States ii will my
own State. Ii these lands reclaimed and should be
worth millions upon millions not dollar goes into the
State treasury OF Florida all belongs to the citizens
The lands and are TO be devoted to educational purposes
there and nowtere else repeat my colleague seems to
mistake the great object OF this bill 1t 10 the
retaining Of The lands and nothing more. | do not
seek the grant the State make pecuniary specua-
ton out OF the work The conditions inserted TO pre-
any possible effort to divert pervert any portion
OF the proceeds of the lands to any object purpose but
that OF retaining the lands, and inducing their speedy
settlement is not to furnish internal Improvement
fund for any other section of the State
lregret that my colleague did not partcularze but one
of the conditions that he objected to- but contented him
self with denouncng them generally. wish he had
done otherwise, think could readily have removed
any objections he could have made to them. AS to his
sale shall be made of any of the lands under dollar
and quarter per acre till the work is completed it is
good restriction After the work is fms shed, the sales
can be for fifty twenty five cents, if deemed proper.
But before such completion necessary to prevent job
bers and spectators from obtaining the lands under
fair price BY any OF the many pretences always readily
preferred Such fair price in that region for even
the poorest kind OF land, if il is at all fit for cultivation,
account of lumber on it. II the land is worth anything,
lit is worth that While the United States own
lands contiguous to these it should not in reference to its
own interests, allow, until ii decreases its minimum price,
the sale of lands it grants below such price The effect
will be to secure the lands from being sacrificed before
the work is done. Without this restriction the price may
be fixed by contractors and others influenced by interested
motives TO have 1t below the value OF the land Besides
when It Is found that this restriction operates njurousy
it will be time enough TO have it stricken out
This bill binds the State, have said, to honestly
and faithfully appopriang all the funds raised out of
these lands to this Improvement and when ii is done the
residue is to be converted education fund Tor the
benefit OF those who purchase the lands have no idea
of permitting the State to apply any money that may
be made by this work TO public works or improvements
elsewhere in the State or to pay it into its treasury
generally 1t would be unjust to make South Florida
pay for the public works of the other sections in this
way. There different projects in different sections of
every State for canals and railroads, and forth, and
dare say those interested would like to have capital fur
nished by such mode. can imagine in my own State
that there those who would Ike the everglades or
interested in, outside Of this grant We are all too apt
to be selfish in such matters. Florida had large dona
ton given her Tor Internal improvements when admitted
State; and my Judgment is that 1t will be so man
aged and the effect OF the selfish struggles to get hold OF
the proceeds of these lands will be, that will never do
the State much good. Hence in this bill have carefully
stipulated that every cent raised from these lands shall
be expended for the citizens who purchase and reside
them repeat sir, would vote against uncondi-
tonal grant of these any other lands to any State,
even my own but all know such bill would stand
no chance of favorable here No such bill
can pass Congress. A grant without conditions, or
not stating its object for internal improvements
generally, would be the creation, as SAID on former
occasion, of a corruption fund in the State. Surely
cations Congress with respect to lands situated in
respects these everglades are. The Senator from
Missouri MIR. BENToN not in his seat to-day, for twen-
five has sought 10 get such law passed with re-
spect TO worthless sunken lands in Missouri the
tor from Arkansas [Mr. BoRLANDl tried bill OF the