The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1848-05-06


question OF jurisdiction to the right dispose of the
lands bat the question recurs, is the object here pro-
posed such the federal government take
def It's jurisdiction hold that the power of the govern
nen TO the disposal of the public lands, is limited, if
express terms, 1t is by other grants of power
and those who believe with that this power not an
unlimited power, must feel the force of the difficulty
have suggested | am not going to argue the question;
bot must be permitted TO sci myself night this point
Although this government has unrestricted power to dis
pos~ oi the public domain yet II they attempt to apply 1t
70 object with which the constitution does not au
thofze them 10 interfere then they exceeding the
bounds Of their authority, and their act is unconsiution
al ] am not disposed 10 question the importance OF
this work bat say IL is with which we have nothing
10 DO The senator IRON Kentucky is certainly some what
regard 10 the money for the sale OF The public
lands being drawn from the west very small portion
of i drawn from the State where the lands lie. How
can be 80 unless the citizens OF that State buy the lands
on speculation sr, the public lands are bought BY my
and yours by people from the old States, by
eHgrsnis from Europe and the very inducements that
hold 10 settlers, by Offering them the very best
@nss ioT cultivation AZ nominal peer Instead OF penn
u gam to the nie States, expense which we
ncu fOg The puf,.e Of bringing IN population and wealth
Ms constituents have invested their money and bought up
me land. the honorable senator's State, and believe
most 81 them have taken with them a little change
aad above shsi necessary Tor the purchase OF Their
farms | consider there IS no more hardship imposed
npoa State than another; and IN regard To works
Of nsrns Improvement, can refer the senator TO some
quite important, perhaps. any that he speaks or that
nave been CONSTRUCTED IA The middle and eastern States
Sithoai making call uIon the national treasury AT all
night refer him to the Erie canal considerable work,
made BY The state through which Il runs. might Ieer
hn 10 the extensive railroads through all the eastern
States We glad b. our brethren OF the west en-
deayoring 10 compete with US wal no, complain even
4 they excel as. Bat | ihnk there should be some
thing like asce IA the administration OF The funds OF
this government and u the public domain Is 10 be looked
10 iof objects OF this kisd thea say, with the senator
from South Carolina, that should have system OF
equally can see no reason why one OF The old States
whose peOiie fought ior this land, and Who at
least, incurred the pers and hazards common TO US
all IN the revolution, By which thus immense west
err domain was acquired, should not be permit
ted 10 share m some degree. II this property Is
10 be appropriated for these purposes But 1t rs my
opann that the wises, and bes, thing do with IT,
Is TO hold on 10 4 as permanent source Of revenue
no hardship IN this Tile senator from Missouri talks
about the advantage OF getting out oil our possession
Can he suppose that, By parting with TO State corpora
TONS s settlement is accelerated No, sir II can only
be settled the wants of the peoplehe cutva,ors OF
rhe sol-fegulfe n And think the best disposition that
could be made Of ~ TO retain II IN possession OF this
government until Il is wanted Tor actual settlement IL
is taken up las, and the faster the better Tor the
sources OF the county. But you canno, force settlement
by any legislation, in my lndgmen,not even by gradua
! Mr. BUfLE Err One word TO my honorable friend from
Michigan II he supposes that entertain any feelings
of sectional b,gotry, he is mistaken. have high ad
mralion for the west, and always rejoice much
as any one at lis prosperity and advancement For
| The old Atlantic States to make war upon the
west, would be like the mother Gliding the child
| am more disposed to consult and promote the IN
teres,s of the west, than 10 retard them; but II
strikes me singular tina, the west, while II was young
asked and from the government; but now that !, has
become strong, seeks assistance have no objection
the expenditure OF the funds OF the government for the
advantage of the States. provided there be uniformity
When the property OF the government has been expended
in the eastern States, an equivalent has been given.
ask the gentleman to point out an instance IN which the
money OF the government has been expended in improve
ment in the State which represent: But have high
regard for the west IL is destined have doubt, TO
fulfil the ardent antlcipatons that have been formed OF
it, My remark was that was indisposed to give mo-.
ney or land without an examination OF the object Tor
IN hp NV hpnth hay In
system that would operate with justice and equality
shall not hesitate to vote appropriation Tor any con-
s,utiOna purpose but must be permitted to examine
for myself These matters that admit OF com
promise. They matters that must be decided accord
ing to our constitution BECAUSE il we permit array
of precedenis-measures heretofore nsdiousy brought
in under prctex otheto govern decisions,
shall find such precedents accommodating upon us,
stitutiona barriers will be broken down, and shall
find ourselves weaker and weaker every day. and less
able to resist the tide of encroachment until have
other constitutional guide that which is prescribed
| by our legislation.
! Mr.. CALHOUN The question in this case is a very
simple one. We authorized by the constitution to
dispose of the public lands. Here is public improve
men projected either by the State, BY individuals in
the State through which it will pass and by which the
value of the public lands will be enhanced If, then, it
will add 10 the value OF our lands, ought not TO
tribute to it; Would we not, individuals, thus act ?
more than twenty years. Tho case of the canal con-
Meeting the Illinois river with Lake Michigan is str
king There, alternate sections given TO make
the from that State whether the lands reserved
to the United States not disposed of afterwards
readiy'
| Mr.. BREESE, lin his seat) Thousands OF acres were
disposed of, which would otherwise have been
| sold
Mr.. CALHOUN. | have seldom given vote the re-
suit OF which grahied me than the vote which
gave that occasion. | then presided in that chair
which you now occupy. and gave the casting vote.
take to myself therefore some share in the credit Of that
magnificent Improvement Indeed, do not think that
there Is principle more perfectly clear from doubt than
this Is II does not belong 10 the category OF inter-
nal improvements at all 1t is not a power claimed by
the government as government 1t belongs to the Coy
eminent landed proprietor. And, will add, that II
is not only right, but duty, and important duty
Now, what has been considered equitable arrange
ment between the government and the S,aewhich may
undertake improvement passing through the public
lands Long since, it agreed that the grant OF alter
nate sections fair contribution on the part OF the
United States, considered proprietor; and from which
the United States would be very great gamer. II APP
pears to be equitable arrangement and doubt
whether in any case, either Of canal railroad pass
ing through the public lands, the United States will no,
be gamer To that extent prepared TO go. be The
road long short it be long, you gain the !,
be Short you gain the less and you contribute IN pro-
portion to your gam.
But while approve of this principle, il seems me,
upon hasty examination Of the bill. that il goes beyond
the principle and TO that extent, cannot approve OF
for put my views in this, and in all similar cases. upon
principle, and not upon the ground OF internal improve
at ALL the power of the government engage
in such works observe that the bill provides that the
State may locate the lands elsewhere where lands
adjacent to the line of the proposed road have been here
me- that that is going beyond the power Of proprietor
he he adhered Ia