The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-30

bills OF this character together II is obvious that seye
raj bills Of this character, being connected, might
mand majority N Congress. when neither OF them could
pass alone and will be much safer Tor to act upon
each bill separately do not undertake say what is
the effect in regard to the proposed grant Alabama
TO Illinois for we have not that information upon which
Mr.. FoOTE II understand the honorable senator
who has just addressed the Chair had this bill been
framed originally to embrace the whole OF the
road he would not have entertained the objection which
he pressed earnestly in the conclusion Of bis remarks
II SO happens that only part OF the course Of that road
taken into consideration in the original draft OF the
bill Subsequently the remaining portion of tiha is,
that part OF the lying between the Ohio river and
the State OF Aabamahas been taken into view and pro-
vded for by the gentleman who offered this amendment,
who proposes simply the legislation for the remain
der OF the had been proposed 10 be accomplished
BY the original bill Tor the more northery portion OF the
road The honorable senator does not object TO The oFg
nal bill upon the ground that ii is too extended in lis
scope, but complains that an attempt is made to blend
two distinct measures in one bill. cannot regard his
objection as at all tenabe. because the bill, with the
amendment, really constitutes but 10 all in
tents and puposesa measure, the beneficial influences
OF which will equally, and in the same manner, be felt
along the whole course OF the road The honorable
aor IRON Wisconsin objects TO the whole bill upon the
ground that the government will actually no, give any
thing, il bill should be adopted in It's present
form, BECAUSE he argues. the remaining land will sell for
much money the whole would have brought If none
OF 1t had been thus given away. Well, sir, It may sell
may be the gamer, as ] confidently believe will be
the case but still it is not true that ii will noi
be the donor TO the extent OF The alternate sections OF
land bestowed. The truth oil The matter will be found
be capable OF being thus stated: The government will
give with one band and receive with the other Whilst
bestows Literally gains largely in return Il Is more
than recompensed for It's berality. Now, sir, cannot
understand how the senator can Object 10 t-because,
upon the whole, the government will not be loser bs
the transaconor argue, he does that the govern
ment actually grants nothing. He might well say thai
he who besows charity gives nothing, because, IN The
ercise OF this noble virtue moral Iecompense Is secured
him who pracses il, far valuable than the aims
which he besows upon the needy Charity said 10 be
twice blessed and such, IN my opinion, will be our ex-
perience in this Our grant wall be alike adyana
geous 10 the donees and 10 the donor the mode so
fairly and explicitly stated BY The honorable senator from
Michigan Does The senator object gravey and seriously
TO this proposition because it will not inveige the govern
ment in the act OF granting money for the pur-
pose of internal improvement Ii 80, differ with
him materially. Certain it is that am willing to vote
money for the purpose ofintenal improvements under
tain circumsances-that is 10 say, Tor internal i'm
provements OF national characters but hold that this
power OF the government IL be really possessed at alt
is OF dubious character and which has much
pepexed legslaorsa different times, thai would be
wise, and proper, and becoming in TO avoid The exer
else OF it except 10 cases OF The most urgent necessity
The measure them before Is, my Judgment, strong
ly recommended by the fact that least The pecuniay
OF The government will not be at all encroached
upon by the grant Of land proposed Therefore. differ
most materially from the honorable senator from Wis
consn and find the bill strongly recommended to me Tor
my approval by the TACT that money actually be-
slowed by the United States and that no ecuniay loss
is 10 be sustained by The government IN so dong
Now, in relation TO the objection OF the honorable
senator over the way Mr. BRADBURYl who has talked
about being sufficiently informed TO the coun
Try through which this road is pass, why, this bill is
Introduced upon the sort OF presumption, which al.
taches 10 other measures that We all more or less,
if not thoroughly acquainted with the country in which
we live, have competent knowledge oil It's geography,
and of the value OF the public domain, that in the
event OF want OF information in any special case every
member of this and the other House will regard il his
duty seasonably 10 seek instruction In relation 10 all
tera facts he shall be called upon to cooperate IN
the grave duty OF Legislation thereupon. Now. IN the
kaIo hat has
given in parhat is TO say IN regard 10 the States OF
Alabama aud Mssisspp-by the honorable senator
who sits on my lett, Mr. KIscl who has stated IN The
hearing OF the Senate all the actual local facts existing
He has described the couatry upon his per-
sonai knowledge; and think man will undertake 10
gainsay his description really think that the honora
able senator from Mane ii not personally acquainted
with the subject ought least to be willing receive
edihcaton from of own body who Processes to
be thus fully informed and whose Judgment IS always
MT BRADBURY. will the honorable senator allow
me 10 interrupt him.
| Mr. BRADBURY. As the honorable senator is so
well informed upon this subject desire 10 know what
portion Of the land lying along the line Of this road has
been Sold what portion OF the line sales have been
made aud how generally will be necessary 10 resort 10
that provision which requires selections to be made oil
the road.
MIR FooTE will offers remark or two for my own
State, the honorable senator from Alabama has done
for the in part represented here by him. II Is said
thai te sales Of the public lands have not been exen
II
siyely made. THIS is alike the in Mississippi; and
personally know the fact that the government will really
be besiowing land which, at the present ime Is utterly
valueless. with prospect IN the event OF the railway be-
ing established OF the alternate sections retained being
rendered quite valuable and that thus much land will be
sold which would otherwise remain rundsposed oil
MIR. BRADBURY. And with regard to Illinois,
Mr. FO0TE | do not know so much with regard TO
Illinois The honorable senator who introduced the bill
can give all the facts.
Now 10 regard 10 the consiituonaity Of this measure
must say that have been at different times, much In
structed upon this point by debates occurring in this body
renee and which had The effect OF expeling all doubts
which originally entertained. Others, doubtless have
looked these debates also, and recolec them with
dIstinctsess at present read with special advantage
the arguments offered the Senate several years ago BY
the honorable from Michigan, lMr. CASH. and
the honorable senator from South Carolina, long,
er among us Before the speeches OF these gentle
men, must confess that doubted exceedingly the pow
er now claimed by the senators from Illinois and Ala
as The one now proposed Never since saw these Iu
minous arguments-the outlines of which have been
presented anew in hearing this morning-have
ertaned the least doubt upon this subject The govern
nent beins large land owner, and having right TO
tan preserve, and dispose OF, and to adopt all needfu
rules and regulations in relation TO dsposing OF the public
domain seems to that il is not only authorized 10
bestow alternate sections, with 10 enhancing the
value OF those lands that still remain in its ownership, but
Mr. CASS Mr.. President, there is an objection
that has occurred TO the honorable senator from Maine
Mr.. BRADBURY,1 which might have some weight also
with other senators il not explained; and that ls that
this road does in immediate contact with the
public lands, sales have been made along the line, and