The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-10-02

to limit the grants to principle which would naturally
govern any large landhode ogant portion OF his lands
towards improvements in order increase the value OF
that which remains | have always sought to govern
my votes by that principle. willfo the senator's
example not 10 debate the question.
Mr. FoOTE. do not rise 10 discuss the points which
have been debated BY the senators who have spoken but
am sure the Senate will bear with me while state one
two facts very briefly indeed, In own State we
have been painfully solicous upon this subject for
years paste and some OF the Influential members oil the
legislature Of both political parties have employed them
selves actively and seriously behalf OF such gen.
eal scheme this. and have resolved upon the estab
lishment OF State institution OF this character. This
bill simply provides aid for State institutions the federal
government not 10 become the distributor OF public
charity but will simply besow its lands in aid OF efforts
made by the States for establishing and maintaining such
institutions may be required or the unfortunate class
difficulty has been happily removed TO my satisfaction by
what has been said by other gentlemen and inasmuch
asour own State OF Mississippi has enlisted IN the same
Mr.. DAVIS, Gin his seat) No; not at all.
Mr.. FOOFE. AT least so seems TO me and II IS eX-
ceedingly plain to me that il is my duty, OF the
senators from that State to vote for this BILL and obtain
aid in this constitutional form in behalf OF this noble and
phanthropc scheme. II is upon these grounds that
MIR DAVIS, of Mississippi. The State Of Mississippi
has done something towards this species Of institution
and the people OF Mississippi have shown that they are
interested in forwarding much they can tue esab-
shment of such institutions but what they have done
they have done from their resources The State OF
Mississippi is committed to no such policy as this The
informed. in favor OF the federal government taking
any such step as IS now proposed The actlon OF Inc
Of 81 II b shs ns
for their relief but how did that affect the question
whether the federal government has the constitutional
power? The States are sovereign. The federal govern
ment is only the agent OF the Siaes authorized 70 raise
and appropriate money for certain specific purposes, and
for other Let each State, therefore, take care OF
Mr.. FOOfE My colleague, then, acknowledges what
state that State is enlisted in the general policy Of
this bill have not looked into the provisions OF the
bill by which she proposes to establish insane asylum,
but understand have agreed ourselves pretty
heavily for defrayng the expenses OF building in which
insane persons to be provided for and in sustaining
the Institution after it shall have been built Now the
proposition addresses itself to in this way Since our
people have enlisted themselves in this policy, shall
allow them to be unnecessarily bnrdened with the sup
port of or will engage the general government in
constitutional fom--for about that there is no difficulty
whatever in my opnono aid us and the other States OF
the Union to carry this humane design into execution
do doubt constitutional power to pass this bill
Mr.. CHASE The honorable senator from Mississippi,
on the other side OF the house. Mr FooTE says he has
| not looked into the particulars OF this law.
Mr.. F0OFE. Qnterposing) Allow me to correct the
honorable senator from Ohio. said that had not look
| ed into the provisions of this law.
Mr.. CHASE. The object contemplated by this bill is
one undoubtedly which commends itself the heart of
every humane man but have considered this bill with
every disposition to support proper provision for this OBJ
TO il as stands. ish to ask the consideration
especially OF senators representing the western States TO
some OF the particular provisions oil this act proposes
TO appropriate ten millions OF acres OF land to be appro
pated under the direction Of the President OF the United
States, among the States in certain ratio II pro.
vdes that this land apporoned shall be sold by the
States among which it shall be apportioned and in the
third section provides that after the apportionment,
patents shall be issued to the several States among whom
the apportionment shall be made and the lands allotted
them respectively; whereupon the said States shall
sumo the management and sale OF the lands appor
toned TO them.
Now, what is the principle Of all this. respects the
States Territories which the lands to lie There
to be thirty OF these ands-each Of the
thirty States OF this Union be that the
management and sale of these lands may be controlled by
thy-o distinct systems OF policy The titles must be
traced to thry.on different Now. sir, does
10 me, however correct The general policy of dis
posing OF the public lands may be- is not expedent
many propetors Of lands any OF the several
States OF the Union This, my radical objection 10
this bill wish to say TO the friends OF the measure, that
myself friend OF the measure, too, to effect
this object; but this bill is which, in my judgment,
ought not to be passed until time has been had Tor Its full
and impartial exam nation.
lro BE CONTINUED