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


Of internal improvements believe that best is doubt
full in the to which have referred whether the
Government has the power appropriate alternate sections
for purposes of internal improvement, and therefore
have voted for bill Of this sort; but still cannot be
Hind the fact that there is difference between the claim
OF such power that which the Government exercises
merely proprietor Of the public lands and the claim of the
power appropriate money for internal improvements gem
orally believe, sir, that this BILL stands is obnoxious
all the objections which could be raised bill appropra
ting money for purposes Of internal improvement and al
though think that if this feature stricken out the bill
would be much improved should still against for the
which have just given. But shall not be willing
for the purpose Of defeating this any other BILL to give
my sanction, directly or indirectly TO principle mis-
chevous as that embodied in the bill for the distribution of
the proceeds Of the public lands among the States.
Permit me tell the Senator from Georgia mr. DAw-
sony that he nfectous in selecting his example
in the reasoning he urged in support Of his position Why
sir when Virginia refused to receive her share of the proceeds
of the public lands which distributed she announced
resolution to which she has adhered ever since. That
which she refused to receive she has
think to the best of my recollection the money still remains
depose her bank At any rate she has never received
it, in any treated hers. But, si, what had
that d. with the subject before Whether was wise
or unwe Virginia refuse receive this money-wheher
she adhered her original determination not-what has
all that do with the policy of distribution and why drag
these subjects into discussion here We all know that
rites change in each Of the States We all know that the
difference relation 10 this matter party difference in
the countythe Democrats opposed it and the Wings
in favor of the policy. Virginia. then, had departed from
her original resolution under such circumstances would not
this change have argued rather change of party than
trinity of purpose But to return TO the subject. will
unite with the Senator from Georgia in all fair and legitimate
defeat the bill, because think it impoitic think
than that if the feature which have objected
retained because it to involve the right of the
General Government to appropriate money well lands
to the purposes of internal improvement. Believing so
will all fair and legitimate efforts to defeat the bill but
cannot for the sake of defeating it. give my vote recognise
of he
Of the public lands among the States
Mr.. DAYTON. believe was understood, in offering
my amendment, to offer amendment the BILL and
the Senator then in the chair said that of order
intended to offer it amendment these instructions
which believe makes il in order.
The amendment then read as follows
Provided further, That, after the appropriation of the
lands herenbeore referred the States herenbefore named
the proceeds the sales of the residue of the public lands
from and after the Sls day Of December next shall be divided
between States Union and the Territories
thereof they exist agreeaby the provisions an
entitled An act appropriate the proceeds OF the sales
ethe public lands and to grant rights passed
September A. 1871 the provisions OF which far the
be properly applied the distribution of the proceeds
of said sales hereby re-enacted and re. affirmed
Mr.. WHTTCOMB. Before the question is taken desire
to state my views in relation to the subject and make
explanation. have thought from the first that discover
ed in the bill under consideration extension of the prnci
pie which has heretofore governed Government grants Of this
kind has been said here to-day that the first grant of
this kind made in Indiana That very true but there
is very considerable addition to the principle which that
grant made in thei bill under consideration
believe the present bill is the first within my recollection, in
which strip Of land twelve miles wide, rather the alter
nate sections in strip of land twelve miles wide has been
given by Congress for the construction of any work. The
greatest width heretofore has been miles, In the of
the last grant to Indiana, not only it restricted to ten
miles wide but for the purpose Of making up the quantity
portions of the land had been already sold within
those limits, the Sa'e restricted a single land district
the district in whichhe greaestpart of the road conside
rab'e portion of it. lay The State not allowed go
any land district bat the district Of Vncennes the unsod
lands IN which had been in the market for forty years.
after all the best land had been bought up, and the land
fees almost in condition to be closed for Of pur
chasers. Now, sir, apart from that paramount affection
which feel for my State, and which trust every Sc
nator has for his know OF no State in this Union that
public officer individual, would make second in my
regard to Illinois But did fear, that going beyond the
original principle in the proposed grant, stimulated the
cupdy of States where the principle did apply and ha
Zaded the introduction o! system. is said that In
diana has been favored great extent by similar grants.
admit sir that she has been favored and grateful
And think should not transcend the principle which
such grants have generally been baedha of enhancing the
value of the contiguous public lands. To make direct lar
CESS any State without corresponding advantage the
General Government, involves the distribution principle, and
fear might lead its consequences to the distribution system
Init the proprety, and far the presidents of Con-
gress for long time concerned, the power Of granting
public lands for the making and improvements in the
States the principle that the United States is the great
land proprietor in the States paying taxes upon
greater the residents in those States. The early emf
grants to the States comparatively poor; many Of
them their lives in the penuy and hardships Incl
dent frontier % and others but emerging through
toll and privaon into that state of comfort and auence
oyed u greater less extent in the older States Under all
these circumstances there is marked difference between
the claim of the young States the munfcence and assist
of the General Government and that Of their older
The citizens of the States called upon make
and work the roads, and is but just and fair that the
United States, the greatest land proprietor, should be called
upon TO aid in the objects was therefore prepared
and willing TO for reasonable measure, that would
make the General Government bear proportion of this bur-
den, but fearful Of going far, and therefore voted
for the amendment yesterday
Now, what is this bill II is for the construction of
railroad commencing at the junction Of the Illinois and Mi
chgan canal and terminating the junction Of the Ohio
with the Mississippi river Then there to be atera
branches striking off from the northern end 10 the fou
hing town Of Gaena, in the norhwes. part of the State,
and the other to Chicago in the northeast section Here
then, three long roads, and the alternate sections in
strip of twelve miles wide, along the entire route of these
three roads, granted for their construction. Why, sir it
amounts, think, above 900 of land Now,
the last grant to Indiana which has been referred to jus
LITIGATION of the present. large grant, be sure, but
msricaly, was but fe than half of the But
the land not nearly valuable the lands in Illinois Hi
nos of the very richest States in the Union The object
the amendment exclude the State from going beyond
the strip of twelve miles wide, into other parts Of the Stale
for the residue Of the lands feared the bill granted the
power Gull the best lands in the State glad to
nd however, that my apprehensons that not
well founded find that the selection, when you go out Of
the strip restricted to lands contiguous but contiguous
in what direction
Mr. DAVIS. The language is mos. contiguous" II,
pnpctu