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

we nave not OIL all me PUBIC property belongs TO the entire
people, and when we dispose Of dispose of il on
that principle Well them the principle comes back on us
again. the trustee dispose OF part Of the property of the
cu que trust for the benefit of portion Of the ces que rst
to the exclusion of the rest In my Judgment not al all II
principle Of equity justice, and my opinion il
is not constitutional. Nov, let go little fuher Sup
pose that the Senator from Illinois had presented petition
setting forth that there large of land BELONGING To
the General Government in the State of Illinois, which
not be disposed Of until they occupied and settled, and
asking Congress to appropriate million and half of that
land for the erection Of manufacturing establishments in
crease the value OF the public property which all around
Where the authority tor such act and what constitutes
the difference between railroad established and erected by
the State and manufacturing establishment None what
e GU may carry the principle into every power that be-
longs 20 TINS Government into every question which involves
our prosperity and our happiness It principle which will
not pear investigation, and which member having con-
sclenou scrupes the powers which he has under the
constitution in acting here may well doubt about CARVING out
j Now here Is limitation power or there is no power
at all How can | exercise il !, cannot do H. But Won
the value of the public lands. Well you adopt the pnci
pie that Congress can do any thing increase the value of
the public property, all controversy in relation 10 the Cnm
berand road will have ceased all controversy about inter
nal improvements will have ceased, because Won make
the discretion, the judgment Of the representatives the mi
taon OF the power under which they acting II is re-
markabe that il citizen and politician goes from any par Of,
the Union the Western States he ogets all that he NAV
have learned in early life of the powers of the Government IN
relation to internal improvements, and back here
thorough internal improvement man. believing the unmit-
l. Ia
effect OF reasoning upon the mind but the result of the
interests by which he is surrounded and controlled do not
blame him; but, being myself uninfuenced by any such
circumstances and considerations reflect upon the sub
jec and am constrained although going against my nc-
nation which is that the country should be improved as ra
pdy possbleto act according my conscientious
convictions
II rue stated by the Senator from Alabama tina, the
public lands there Of value it that they belong
to the Government But what is be done with them How
can the Government dispose Of them Where is the power
70 do so IL is believed by many that there none We
have made donation in this country that has not been
controversial even in of donations individuals In
case OF donation to an individual in which the Senator
from Kentucky and other gentlemen interested themselves it
was put upon the principle of compensation for services rem
dered IN the revolutionary Yet called upon
day to make donation Of million and half Of land
and to justify ourselves the ground that promoting
the public interests thereby by increasing the value of the adj
acent land Why, sir where the power in this Govern
ment to make donation to in that presses
into paying double price How is that became bene-
icay under the constitution whilst you put penalty upon
: But it is said that both will be benefited Well the
principle is the same Where the power under the
tuition that we have to benefit that another may be bene
hted also The Government is not founded upon such
principle, and when carry 1t out such principles
are carrying It out enormously making the Limitation
OF the power under which depend upon the discretion
of men.
repeat that anxious to vote upon these questions in
such manner as will improve country, give ease and
comfort to our people, and facilitate the markets.
but when my judgment comes in conflict with my ncnations
must abide by what conscienousy believe be an OBJ
lection.
Mr.. DOUGLAS. One word sir, in answer TO the cues
tons propounded by the Senator from Georgia. In reply TO-
the honorable Senator's question, where is this be
found refer him to the clause of the constitution the Uni
ted States which that Congress may prescribe rules for
the disposition Of the public lands territories and other pro-
pey OF the United States The power dispose Of the pub
lie lands given in many words and where power is
expressly given without any Limitation, appehend that is
our duty to judge Of The terms of SALE We have right
sell upon credit sell for cash. We have right to make
other disposition Of the public lands which may think
proper provided that disposition in accordance with the
ture Of the trust In other words may make any dspo
sion Of these public lands which tends to increase the trust
fund.- do not argue the question Of right donate
as we do not propose to donate. do not deem it
cessary therefore to that question We propose
to make proper constitutional and legal disposition Of the
lands in mode that will benefit and increase the trust
fund under our charge The power expressly given;
there no Limitation upon it, but confess that bound
to exercise that in that is consistent with the
should increase and improve that fund.- and make it
bring the largest amount that Now, sir, suppose
that had large section of the public lands entirely mum
Dated that they worth athng per acre. Sup
pose the giving away of onetenth portion Of these lands
would render the whole Of them available and saleabe if
have not the power give away the oneenh condi-
ton hatthe other shall rendered available the whole
nolhng-t is waste entirely vaueless-but by giving away
portion you render the remainder valuable, and thus gain
considerable by it would any say that not wise,
if it was his own individual property, to make that disposition
wise in his own is it not wise and proper in
also, provided the trustees the Senator alleges
Clearly think Think therefore, that constitutions
al disp son Of them, legal disposition of them which pro-
poses to improve the trust fund and increase its value by
this mode of disposng Of the property.
But the Senator from Georgia asks me- where is the power
to make the purchaser pay double price for the land Sir
do not propose make him pay double price for the land
We have land that comparatively vauees if not entirely
that will not sell at the present price, BECAUSE
sent situated It'll worth it. You cannot get dollar and
quarter per for it. because 1t is not worth dollar and
quarter But propose to give away half OF it,
condition that the other half shall be rendered worth and
half dollars And, after this improvement is made
the land being worth two and half dollars per acre. the pur
chaser buys it for what it is worth Is it any hardship
him sell him land worth two and half dollars per for
two and half dollars in preference 10 compelling him to
give and half dollar for land that is worth It s.
the purchaser. If we compel him TO pay more
money, give him better land He gets equivalent for
his money, and therefore it tax II is
give ten dollars for land worth that amount than to
give dollar and quarter per for land only worth
moment And must remind the Senator that this point Of
hardship the settler compelling him pay double price
for the land in question, is done and be-
ing it not reasonable suppose that have been
likely to look into this question carefully and practically than
those far removed from the Of action that they
not have that personal knowledge Is probable that
colleague would be willing oimpose such hardshps the
people of State We have put this provision be-
believe it is just to the Government put it there
because believe il just people TO put there
We know that the land not worth the Government
price. We believe will be worth DOUBLE If not treble, the
Government price by the construction Of this road That