The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-05-04
m CONGRESS- OF THE U. STATES
THURSDAY, MAY .. 1850.
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SENATE.
CENTRAL RAILROAD
Mr.. WHITCOMB When this bill was last under
was not appnzed Of the character Of the
or the amendment the instructions which
have Just been read find in them yeri6cston of the
principle which has heretofore Obtained IN grants Of this
kind
have no hostility TO the granting Of lands by the
general government 70 the States in which they lie, based
upon the principle heretofore acted upon in such cases
that is to say where the improvement tends TO enhance
the value Of the remaining lands Of the government 70
hasten their sae but when we go beyond that principle.
when the grant parHkes OF the nature OF grauiiy
lagess exces the cupidy Of other Stsies and leads
to demands on their part for shage e the public lands,
or OF their proceeds either to aid in The construction OF
public works. or without restriction to object Now,
opposed to that principle and il was that which in
duced me 10 raise any objection to the bill under consd
Grafton shall be glad to vote for the bill il can be
made to assume an acceptable shape.
Now sir, do not rise to discuss the policy OF sys-
tematc distribution Of the public ands Of their proceeds
believe such policy would result in great injury 70 the
old States believe in the first place. the consruc-
ton Of public works by the general government is
sari!y attended with more prodgay, with more corrupt
mode And in the next place, The principle Of dsrbu
tion il permanently established destroys all prospect of
grant Of the public lands 70 actual settlers Indeed
every grant OF public lands like that now proposed
trenches upon this benecent system, and am not dis
posed therefore. 70 widen their operation beyond the rule
which has heretofore governed in such cases the p Price
Be raised to double their present price Those granted
to the State not 70 be sold for less than their present
price, and generally they will doubtless be held much
lse bhS ,sd s
home. hope that the government will yet determine 70
adopt The system Of granting under suitable regulations
believe u' that Individual rsspecaby and national wealth.
that private virtue and public economy alike require the
adoption OF such measure Il would in my judgment.
and wretchedness the old States, and add to the Indus
try and wealth OF the States. My heart is in that
movement | do not feel at liberty however to inter-
pose an objection 10 the present bill that ground
Reference has been made to the grants heretofore made
TO the State Of Indiana have examined the matter with
some particularly since last addressed the Senate, and
find that if this grant passes. Illinois will have more
public land for works Of internal Improvement than all
comprised In the grants heretofore made to the State OF
Indiana. But am averse to making this comparison
Certainly do not make objection TO this grant
And truly say that i my own wishes could control
this natter and it The interest Of the whole people OF the
United States would allow Of y this grant to Illinois
the good Of portion only Of The people Of the United
States is proposed and which is more than counterbal
anced by an injury to the residue. must be pArdoned
pause. s.s.
Imentioned when last up an objection which had Ii
the phraseology OF part of the second section Of the pro
posed amendment TO this bill have had free CONVEX
saton with my friends, the senators from Illinois, on Thu
subject, and happy to find that both Of them dis
claim any such construction as appshended, and have
no doubt OF their perfect sincerity We satisfied ii il
unnecessary and as yet believe i would bear the con
struction then gave il, shall at the proper time NOV,
an amendment which, il adopted, will obviaie the diff
Guilty; and in this am happy to say have the consent
my friends, the honorable senators from Illinois.
ment, which think will commend itself to the favorable
opinion OF all. To enable the amendment to which
now refer TO be understood will premise that the branch
OF this railroad which leads from It's northern terminus
Chicago must be alongside Of the canal connecting
those points, and for the construction of which Congress
made TO Illinois, on the I'd Of March, 1877, simila
grant Of lands along lis entire LENGTH every alternate
lion being at the time reserved to the United States
These reserved lands will necessarily lie within ih
scope limits Of the proposed grant now under consid
eration and will consequently be subject to further
lection in spite Of their previous reservation The Ian
guage Of the bill is, substantially, that all the lands be
longing TO the United States, not heretofore disposed Of
be divided equally between Illinois and the United States
shall propose, therefore, at suitable time amend
ment that will the lands reserved from the fome
grant from the operation OF the present one.
Then, Mr.. President, wish I could get my friend.
from Illinois 10 consent to one further amendment feel
exceedingly ayese TO pressing IT, but do wish to take
from New Jersey and Georgia. who are pressing The
claims OF the older States for disirbuve share Of the
public lands, on the ground that the States get
ling than their legitimate share according TO the
former practice OF the government wish TO take away
all legitimate ground for their objections The amend
ment would propose is TO strike out sx, and put in the
WORD nve so as 10 make the strip only nve miles wide
each side OF the proposed road as has formerly been
| the practice
Mr. DOUGLAS. (inierposing) With the consent OF the
senator from Indiana, will explain why put In six
instead OF "hve" Two years ago took printed bill.
which contained the number "sx.r was under the i'm.
preston that that the amount Upon looking il over
find il is "fve.r For one shall moi take stand
against that amount would rather il should be "six,
but shall not make point OF IT, shall acquiesce in
whatever the Senate decides in this respect
+ Mr.. WHlTC0MB. have made an OK animation. and
lind the word six remains the State will receive, Tor
every mile in length upon the road. 1850 II FIVE
is substituted, will be 1900 acres; and il this land Is
sold at 81 80 per acre. The one case the proceeds viii
ing BY the estimates made by engipeers In my State,
ihat the railroad will not cost than an average oil
the smaller sum per mile. and more 10 not wanted than
will make the road. II these amendments are adopted,
shall favor the bill. will not say that shall vote
against II II they are not adopted; but would certainly
much prefer their adoption.
Mr.. SHIELDS. Mr.. President, am really grained
at the course that my honorable friend from Indiana
Mr. WHITcoMsl has taken think, sir. is very falr
treat us 90 generously and literally. must cay that 10
relation to my own State, have interest IN the I'M
provementsOf neghboring State oil Indiana because
SIR there s not mile OF railroad made in Indiana that
4 not great benefit 10 us Of Illinois Next 10 Indiana,
we derive the ben6is Of these improvements and think
our will be Of great benefit 10 the people OF
Indiana. -
literally treated in relation to lands, no State that know
than Indiana She has shown, think. very commend
able spirit the In which she has devoted these
lands 10 the Improvement of the State.
Now. cir, with regard to the first amendment will