Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1850-05-04

Of avas f the sale of the public lands but il is
TO bring them into cultivation, settle them in the shortest
oil time, and under the most favorable auspices And
why this the highest interest the Government II is
because the strength and the power of Government are in
creased just IN proportion The population is extended
what NOW the unoceupied public domain and that
the wealth OF the Union in the same ratio with the
increase OF population and the taxable ability of the people,
peace or increased by the addition Of population
the increase Of wealth And conceive it possible there
ore that II is proper conducive 10 the interests of
the people OF the United States in fiscal financial
point OF view, make large appropriations these domains
or the purpose eiecng their speedy settlement than
would be to retain them all with msers grasp for the
ephemeral purposes of revenue.
is therefore, upon the ground that the most expeden
and beneficial disposition of this portion Of the public lands is
TO devote to the construction of public roadsroads which
VIII be beneficial to all The people of the United States aswe
as 70 the Stale OF Illinois, which is admitted will profit by it
that am in favor of the principle Of this BILL and shall give
to it my most cordial and effective support.
Mr.. CASS. hold in my hand a law which is almost
conemporaneous with the Government itself this subject
showing that the Government, early the year 1885,
made grants OF the public snds for the purpose of making
roads This act which passed authorize Ebene-
yer Zane to locate certain lands upon condition that he
should open road between Wheeling and Limestone. The
principle of aPprpatng the public lands for such purposes
was, therefore, established as early 1896.
The question was then taken the amendment offered by
the Senator from Alabama. and it was agreed to.
Mr.. WALKER / move strike out that portion of the
bill which proposes increase the price Of the alternate
tons reserved by the Government and upon that wish to
word with regard TO what fell from the Senator from
Illinois, (Mr. SHIELps) After what he has said, would
not have made this motion not for the peculiar posi-
ton in which stand, which demand It. memo
rial has passed the Legislature of Wisconsin which
to en- instruction upon the subject Of the donation of public
lands to every actual settler know Of proposition which
would with decided opposition in the State Of Wis
consin han the to increase the price of the public lands
any where Our people look upon which con.
Germs the rights OF mannot located in Illinois, Wisconsin,
or any where else. Wherever he may be located,
GA mans man for a. that"
They deem right that he should be able to acquire if he
wishes portion Of the public domain They go into this
matter OH deeper principles they object to the policy of the
Government selling these lands ALL They deem it a right
that the community have the public lands means
of enjoying the right to live. They will not approve any
ton on the part of theh representatives which will have
tendency to add 10 the price of these lands If there State
in the Union that is radical this subject Of speculation in
what deem the instruction Of my State do nothing which
looks to increase Of the price Of the public lands but
every occasion where is possible, shall feel myself under
obligation TO go for reducing the price and if possible, would
give them to actual settlers for the purposes of cultivation
repeat, sir that disregard the language of implied GEN.
sure used by the Senator from Illinois, for am confident
there nothing Of disrepect intended his part when he
seemed to advise to let Illinois manage its matters
for itself must remark, however, that there be
Inconsistency in the language that Senator; for breath
we are told it was national work that connected Boston
by the Lake with the city OF Mobile WE'LL there hap
pens to lie State called Wisconsin that very route
happen to be humble member of one branch Of Con-
ges, representing that intelligent entrpisng, and believe
virtuous people deem it my duty to mention this prn
cpe which believe to be held dear aud cherished by the
people of Wisconsin Though may be speaking of local
matters, think it is also national matter The gentleman
himself says it NATIONAL and while is national we are
called upon to make this grant; but proposed
to view 1t IN national light and to prescribe terms
which shall be made then becomes local that Senators
must be censued do not say that this done in in
vidous by the Senator from Illinois This is matter
in which differ from many Senator'S am for giving that
he of illinois ia no ha
road believe will be Of The greatest works in which
bur country engage When was citizen of that State
perhaps both the Senators will remember expressed in
her Legislature admiration of this enterprise and did all
that could 10 advance it. for considered the great
enterprises in which the country could be engaged can
think of greater Any thing which tends to improve
the connection between The North and the South is great
blessing 10 go across lines of latitude and to enable the
man OF commerce to make assorted cargo infinitely
better than to run equal distance the parallel Of
latitude look upon this end to be Accomplishment
enterprise Of the highest importance unite the great
North and the great Sou and in which hope the
egies Of the country will be exered for giving this
land out and out not for the benefit Of Illinois alone, but for
the benefit OF Wisconsin, of Maine and New Hampshire,
and every State to the most southern extremity of the
Union. believe that Government should show that mag
nanimity, that kind of generosity which will give this land
out and out and not tax the settlers who ultimately
the articles from which revenue is to be derived
Tor the existence Of the Government Sir, settle these public
lands and by this you will increase the number Of
those who will add to the of the country by nreas-
ing the products Of the country the price of these lands
Increased, your sales and settlements will be limited and the
products and revenues limited in proportion contend that
II you give them away you will increase the of the
country. Locking at it in this broad national light, am
happy to know that the Senator from Illinois will
with me.
MI. KING. With great deal that has fallen from the
honorable Senator from Wisconsin entirely concur. But
cannot understand the view taken by him that the people
OF the United States have right the public domain
specific price. We, in wisdom folly, which it
have several occasions changed the price of the
public lands We sold them under the credit system So
per acre. This running the States for the public
land in the State where live up to forty fifty,
and often high seventyve and eighty dollars The
new States, being unable pay their debts compelled
therefore to petition Congress for change in the of the
sales, and Congress, its beray changed the mode of
sale from the credit the cash system reducing the price
ST. 25 per acre. which the price, The also autho-
zed the transfer Of the purchase money! by which plan the
Government received than otherwise would and the
States relieved from debts which they would never
have been able to psy.
Now sir, am, much the honorable Senator can be-
in favor Of having the country cultivated having the lands
settled by an intelligent ard .irtuous population also
in favor OF opening channels of INSTRUMENTATION be-
tween the North and the South far practicable think
will contribute much to the general prosperity in
merca point of view and would relieve from many pre-
JUDGES and unknd feelings that have grown up by our not
mrgiDg together. hope the honorable Senator will not
insist upon the amendment If this land be Of little
value and If its value be increased by the work which
propose to have execued there proprety caus-
ing to be sold at the minimum price of 81 so per acre.
when were offered at the Government sales would bring
SIS, &c. $40 We give this land intrinsic value
by the very opening of channel of communication, by
which Its products easily be taken market here,re
rather think favor than otherwise the actual settler
authorize bin to take at $3.50; for if il offered