Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-06-22

have TO state that the alternate sections the United
States within the limits of this grant, TO be Increased in
the minimum price 81 25 per acreto 81 So consider this
an illberal provision but incorporated in the ll
grant, and the passage of bill might be endanger
ed the reserved sections not enhanced in price, we
have been constrained to submit to this Gas we regard ~
provision imposed upon by the committee before
presenting the Senate for its action The Government
will lose nothing by the grant ALL but the contrary,
will be greatly benefited and its treasury repenshed by the
immediate and much rapid sale OF its public domain
The anticipated construction of these roads will direct the at
enon of the emgrans to the country through which they
pass and will the sale of millions of OF
andthe prairie and other less valuable portions of which
would not otherwise be sold for many to come because
OF the difficulty Of procuring TIMBER and Of transporting to
market the immense amount of surplus produce which our
State must eventually and at no distant day, yield.
The first Of these railroads is to connect with the great ma
ona railroads. which bind the wealthy eastern cities OF Bos-
ton, New York, Philadelphia and the western cities OF
Buffalo, Detroit Chicago, and Gaena with the Father of
Wae at the foursng young city OF Dubuque which Is the
heart of of the richest and extensive mineral and
agricultural regions in America. It Is to run distance OF
about one hundred and eighty miles, in southwestern dlrec-
ton, through the interior Of State and by way OF our
of government Iowa city, Fairfield, and other fourshng
and rich portions Of lowe, to the city of Keokuk in
the most wealthy and populous county of State.
The other road from Davenport the Missouri river is in
tended to be the last link which to unite the territories OF
the United States which lie west Of the Missouri river with
another branch of railroads which further to the south,
through the States Of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, and which
being prosecuted with considerable energy am
informed by States The completion Of these works Of
internal Improvement earnestly desired by the people OF
State, who have held public meetings. conventions, &c.
places and at all seasons trouble, cost and
expense to themselves Sir of their representatives,
sincerely hope this boon may he grained to them.
Mr. DODGE, Of Iowa. The people of our State feel a
deep interest in this My colleague has the more
immediate charge Of the bill and has worked very
dusrousy in the committee and succeeded in getting the
bill reported will sta,e however, that the Legislature end
people of Iowa have made in this matter
4.
geographical and typographical surveys of the country
and they now making preparation which they can
make But large portion Of the plan lies through the Gov
eminent lands and the people DESTROYS OF obtaining this
grant the foundation which to raise fund complete
this to them very great and important work.
Mr.. PEARCE. / do not know what is the precise form
Of the bill present. but believe that bills have been
united. see in the last section provision for tbs carrying
of the mails at reasonable price. Now, make pretty
large donation this railroad the Senator from
Iowa say the number of appropriated by this bill is
between eleven and twelve hundred thousand which, at the
Of 81 rs per acre. amounts about million and half
Of dollars, the interest which would be about ninety
thousand dollars year. Lands given in alternate sec
tons-sx alternate sections each sde-is equivalent to
grant of continuous line of land six miles WIDE suppose
the road will be about three hundred miles in length Am
right
Mr. JONES. Rather less
Mr. PEARCE. The maximum price for transportation on
railroads is about three hundred dollars per mile that it
would be about ninety thousand dollars for the whole
road rather less the road less in extent than three
hundred miles suppose that the interest upon the
ue Of this land, thus given contribution to this railroad
will be about equal to the maximum price OF the Transports
ton Of the mails that road and by this bill the
pay reasonable price for the transportation Of these
mails. II seems to that should have qud pro quo
The interest the grant of land ss0OoO the exact rate
Of the transportation Of the mails. therefore 10
amend the 9Th secton providing for the transportation OF the
mails, by striking out all after the words Pos Office De-
partment, and inserting transported free of any CHARGE
The VICE PRESIDENT. That amendment will not be
in order until the bill is reported back to the Senate.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. | wish to say word only upon this
matter The into which the Senator has fallen is this
This not donation entirely, because the Government is to
have double price for the other alternate sections
| The VICE PRESIDENT. The Chair begs leave to state
| that there is no question pending
There being further proposition to amend, the bill was
reported back to The Senate, the amendments
CURED in.
Mr. PEARCE moved to amend the section of the bill pro-
vdng for the transportation of the mail by striking out the
words at such price Congress may by law Direct and
inserting in lieu thereof free Of all charge the United
States"
Mr. DOUGLAS. Ihave only to state that, whilst the bill
grants alternate sections the State, condition that the
road shall be made it also provides that the price of the other
alternate sections should be doubled that the Government
will lose nothing by the passage Of this bill and think
may safely leave the be paid for the transportation of
the mails be fixed Congress- proposed by this section
shall argue the question, because this point was tho
roughly discussed the Illinois BILL and received the
ton of the Senate by overwhelming majorIty and
inoian dislike to see our friends from Iowa treated
than the Senate treated u.s. and less bersy shown towards
them than shown towards
Mr.. PEARCE. The payment Of double price for the
other alternate sections will fall upon others than the railroad
company. They will be benefited by this grant, and it is
right that should have consideration from them.
SHALL therefore, not withdraw my amendment
The question was then taken on the amendment, and it
was negatived
The question then required ordering the bill to be
crossed for third reading
Mr. HALE. do not know that want to obec, to this
individual case, because do not be invidious
but want to make this suggestion for the consideration
of the Senate 1t has been decided be pretty oIho
dox doctrine that should upon system Of
ernal improvements for the General Government That
part OF the Baltimore platforms believe There is OBJ
lection to individual cases. but only ga system" Now,
how many cases needed to make " a system !" be-
evc grants have been already made Indiana Illinois, and
Iowa. | am willing to 60 far with individual
cases. but think there is danger Of getting into
system.
The bill then ordered to be engrossed for third
reading
THE COMPROMISE BILL.
On the motion of Mr.. CLAY, the Senate resumed the
consideration of the bill for the admission Of California
State into the Union to establish Territorial Governments for
Utah and New Mexico and making proposals to Texas for
the establishment Of her aud northern boundaries
discussion Of several hours duration ensued, which viii
be published hereafter.
The Senate then adjourned
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
MONDAY, JUNE II, 1850.
Mr. BAYLY asked the unanimous OF the House TO