The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-03

not be well TO provide, where they have the choice IN
the selection that they should not dispose of them less
than the minimum price II they do dispose Of them al
less than the minimum price, you that il will operate
upon ,as s o1ss ,snss p,ss he'sof
the discretion o the State to sell the lands at not less than
the minimum price
make The discelioa which grant 10 the Stale under
this bill will give them the privilege Of taking the mip-
eral lands II they think proper 70 do 80. Now, think
there should be law prohibit that from being done
The idea that struck was, that the passage of this
bill under present circumstances, would perhaps override
the general provisions OF the law eAempting The mineral
lands from appropriation, and That il might be likewise
proper 10 insert some provision upon this subject make
these suggestions, and leave the friends Of the bill take
hey IL ssa them
certainly should prefer that il should not be adopted
1t was only made IL accordance with suggestion Of the
senator from mississippi who 10 not in his seat and
ii is not what ! desire 10 have adopted
The PRESIDENT. Does the senator withdraw the
amendment
Mr.. MANGUM With the consent Of the senator
from Michigan, desire TO obtain the unanimous consent
Of the Senate while submit motion Of some interest
day next think there will be no objection to that mo-
ton.
| Mr. HOUSTON object most positively.
| Mr.. FELCH. In reply TO the inquiry OF the senator
from Kentucky whether this bill, stands. will
enable to enter the mineral lands. answer that do
that they shall take any lands subject private entry
believe the construction given TO provision OF this kind
has BEEN that under il the entry could be made only upon
those lands which were subject to private entry Al the
minimum price, and where any lands excluded from
the operation OF the general law by fixing higher
amount they have not been understood to be embraced
within class OF this kind recoeri last session we
passed bill to enable the soldiers to the same ands
which were sold at higher price than 81 23 pei
The terms oil that law were precisely like this and yet
special legislation necessary enable them enter
them.
One word further in regard 10 this matter. Even if it
did allow us 10 enter land of that description, think
there WOud probably be evil reRuIt this bill
when take into consideration the whole of the
mining country and the uncertainty and difficulties of
report OF the commissioners. that the price fixed at
rs per for mineral lands should be reduced the
ordinary minimum price do not understand this bill,
however embrace these lands as long as they remain
al the present prices.
Another inquiry was made, whether we ought not to
fix in this bill, the price Of the ands that the sales
the minimum price OF 81 25 acre. The operation of
this bill will be this-and speak from knowledge Of
done before in works OF internal improvement to which
have referred The usual course has been receive
propositions for doing certain work, and to receive Tor it
SO much land to be taken from the lands at the disposal
of the State. No price fixed for the work, and
price was fixed upon the land The proposition would
be to do much work OF such characteristic
much land which is generally of rocky character
or to do certain work, the character of which OF
course to be liked by competent person duly author
much land; go that no price would be fixed for the
work or upon the land The State, Of course, would
make the best selection that they could and sell it for the
hat no difficulty al all would be likely to arise upon this
NH Mr. UNDERWOOD If the State succeed in accom-.
pishng the work, as do hope she may, there would be
difficulty, because then she would be held
spoasbe to the United States for any part the land
sold But II the State were TO make sale OF portion
OF the land, OF the whole OF it, and then fall through
than according to the fourth section of the bill she has
account TO the United States for the amount which she
has thus used there no criterion by which the amount
is 10 be estimated. Now ieverything works WE'LL there
will be no difficulty al all, admit Il will not require
any account But she shall sacrifice sell, dispose
OF all the land or half the land would be necessary,
seems TO me, 10 amend the fourth section TO say
how she shall account to the United States for it.
MIR. CASS. Just propose the amendment, and we will
MIR UNDERWOOD. move to amend the fourth sec
ton, 9Th line, after the word Estate" by inserting the
words mot less than 81 rs per acre"
Mr.. HAMLlN II the question can be taken upon this
bill, do not desire 10 inerpose any objection But if il
is to run further must move to postpone It's further
sldera'oa until TO morrow.
Cries of Question! !" "Queston p upon the amend.
meat
The question being taken upon Mr. UsDERwooD's
Mr.. FELCH, There is amendment which | wish
TO propose In the second section, Sh ne to correct
error OF the clerk ia copying, TO strike on, the word
Treasury" and insert the word "Interior"
| The amendment was adopted.
| Mr.. UNDERWOOD. | am not satisfied abou, the
temen feel very confident, should like look into that
matter
| Mr.. SMITH With the permission Of the honorable
senator would suggest that the bill provides that the
selection shall be made by the State, subject TO the APP
probation OF the Secretary OF the Interior So that there
is danger as far the interests OF the United States
are concerned The Secretary of the Interior would no,
permit the mineral lands to be selected.
/ Mr.. UNDERWOOD. II the honorable senator from
Michigan will accept proviso al the end OF the second
section, stating that no mineral lands belonging TO the
United States shall be selected, that will do away with
all difficulties.
| Mr. CASS. We will accept il If you will propose it.
4 MIR UNDERWOOD | n amend he secnna
section by adding the following proviso;
Prop,ded, hoperer That mineral lands belonging TO
the Untsd States shall be selected
Mr.. CASS. | hope the honorable gentleman will say
that this will be the last amendment he will oher
| Mr. UNDERWOOD Certainly, certainly
The amendment was then adopted
Cries OF Question on the bill J" "Question on the
/ biw
| Mr.. DAWSON ! desire TO ask question OF the sen.
aor from Mchgan-wbethera sarvey has been made for
the proposed canal and what is the estimate OF the cost
| Mr.. CASS, Tin his seat) There is a long report
| that subject
| Mr. FELCH. would state to the honorable senator
that there have been reports madeone under the
authority of the State, and under tie authority Of the
corps OF typographical engineers under the authority OF
the United States The is estimated 1854 LOT 6s
Mr.. DAWSON My object 10 ascertain shs
TO become OF the balance OF the proceeds Of these lands
when they sold # they amount to million Of dol.
lars.
Mr. CASS. You need not he afraid The land will
not sell for Us cents per acre.
Mr.. BENTON, I'm his seat) Take that for repairing
the canal. laughter
The question being then taken upon the engrossmen
OF the bill, IL ordered to be engrossed and read
third time.