The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-04-30

dams Of the mountains, and including those OF New Mex
The motion having been agreed 10, the bill was con
sidered committee OF the whole and no amendment
having been offered il ordered 10 be engrossed for
third reading and, alter having been engrossed read
q third time by unanimous consent, and passed.
oRAsr or LANDS TO ILLINOIS.
Mr. DOUGLAS moved that the Senate take up bill No.
%, granting the right OF way and making donation OF
land % the State Of illinois in aid OF the construction OF
The Central railroad. which motion was agreed 10.
Of said bill which, having been read second time, was
considered as IN committee OF the wholehe question
being upon the amendment reported from the Committee
on puolc Lands striking out all after the enacng clause
Mr. BUTLER do not rise because suppose any
opposition TO that bill will be available; but to know
IRON the chairman OF The committee how many such
bills as the one under consideration have been reported
hear great many bills with similar ttles but do not
know whether the import of those bills is the same
altogether presume the senator can give us some in
formation as 70 the number OF bills OF this kind.
Mr., DOUGLAS. | am really unable 10 answer the
question as 10 the number OF bills OF this kind have
introduced one Other not for my own State or for any
State but Tor the Territory OF Minnesota. That is the
onls other bill have introduced OF this character
have heard several notices OF such bills being introduced
This bill was introduced some two years ago, and was
argued at u length in the Senate. The Senate amended
By putting In road in the other direction, making
II nearly twice as long Alter full discussion, the bill
passed the Senate by vote OF "a to- H. II failed in the
other House by one or two votes have now renewed
the bill. with only one road, introduced il before
shall not meve 70 put any additions it, because do
not want to ask Tor The grant for more than one road
land and doubles the price OF the other alternate sections
that the treasury loses pothng by the grant, the land
that y eit being doubled in value do not feel neces-
sary 10 argue this question: as it fully argued
years ago, and passed, after full debate, BY large
Mr. DAWSON. i should like 10 be informed--as this
IS the hst bill Of the kind that has up during my
congressional servicewhat is the number OF miles in
length that this road is to be- aLd the number of
proposed 10 be appropriated BY this BILL in order that
may act underslandingy upon the subject can but
consider i as equivalent 10 all appropriation OF the public
money OF the country to the purpose Of internal improve
meht Tor the benefit OF State and hence it is, in my
Judgment entering into very important question: which
desire thoroughly to understand before commit myself
Tor or against the measure The amendment had not
seen or heard read until this morning. having BEEN
presume, out OF the Senate before At the proper time,
when this subject shall come up for final vote. may
desire 10 be heard upon it, But these preliminary facts
Mr. DOUGLAS. The entire length OF the road. from
north 10 south. is nearly four hundred mes-rather un-
der that, should say II is from Caro-, at the mouth OF
the Ohio, TO the northern limit Of the State. proposes
to grant alternate sections andto double the price OF The
other alternate sections; in other WORDS the plan
which was pursued in Ohio, in reference to her canal
in Indiana; in Alabama; in Wisconsin, in reference TO
the Improvement of the Wisconsin river and in Illinois,
in reference TO her canal II is simply carrying the
principles laid down in legislation Tor the last thirty
years, by which you cede alternate sections for the pur-
poses of great work. and double the price OF the other
alternate sections, that you fix the same price upon
the remaining lands that you did upon the whole and
thereby the government loses nothing. These lands
been in the market for time ranging from fifteen to
thirty years. The price is 81 IS acre and they will
not sell for that price, because they are distant from any
navigable stream and from any market They are now
unsaieable; and By making communication you make
them saleabe at double the usual price The State there
FORE proposes to make one-haf OF the lands valuable to
Mr. DAWSON. The question which propounded, as
to the number OF acres, has not been answered.
Mr. DOUGLAS. had forgotten that part Of the ques-
ha tha slaftn. tlau -
acres but any one can make the calculation having the
MIR DAWSON. The grant is six miles on either side
oil the road making twelve miles in width and four hun
dred miles in length, OF which one-half is to be granted
making six miles in width, multiplied by four hundred
which would make very large number OF acres. The
principle TO be discussed hereafter is, whether Congress
shall take il upon itself, in this indirect way levy
tax upon the settlers the public lands OF loo per cent,
by doubling the minimum price, merely for the purpose
OF carrying on internal improvements IN particular
States that is that the settler upon the public lands shall
be taxed double the price OF the public lands before he
shall be permitted 10 settle, an order that he may be made
TO pay the expenses necessarily incurred by the erection
OF this railroad That will be the question, sir; but
am not prepared to discuss il now.
MIR KING. am not disposed to go into any discus.
SION OF the subject OF appropriation TO works OF internal
Improvement in the States. When that subject comes
up,I shall be prepared il my friend from Georgia thinks
proper 70 enter INTO discussion. to give my News DIFF
OF the honorable senator. am DESTROYS to give every
facility that be afforded to the States carry
Works lmpIONeucnt, ana 10 furnish
transportation OF their products to market This road,
spoken oil by the senator from Illinois, terminates
Cairo, on the Ohio river. A railroad company has al
ready been chartered TO build railroad through the States
OF Alabama, and Mississippi and Tennessee, from the
city OF Mobile to the same point on the Ohio river the
eastern bank so that that road is completed there will
be continuous railroad communication from the Gulf up
TO the extreme limit OF the State OF Illinois The great
advantage that will be derived from having such CON-
municaiion, is not necessary 20 into Every
gentleman who will look al the map and where The
road IL proposed 10 rum form estimate for himself
OF the immense advantages that will result from the con-
strucon OF the road The portion OF the States OF Mis-
sisspp AID Alabama through which the road will pass
rs, generally speaking, barren and unproductve land
The lands throughout these States have been in the
market from fifteen TO thirty years Owing TO the nature
OF that country the lands oil value and never can
be reduced 10 cultivation, at the present minimum price
the government. unless direct communication is az
foded by which the timber be transported 10 an easy
market That will give value to the lands. Without
the question is taken upon the amendment Of the senator
from Illinois, TO propose an amendment 10 include that
portion OF the road from the Ohio 10 Mobile,
tending to that part OF the road the same advantages
which ii is proposed TO extend Illinois move to add
section, as seventh section, which will send 10 The
Chair.
The amendment was read by the Secretary,
SIC. A~d BE- further snaeied That In order to aid In
the continuation Of said Central railroad Dom the mouth OF
the Ohio river the city Of Mobile, all rights privileges
and liabilities herenbe confsrred ON the state OF i
nos shall be granted the States OF Alabama and Msss
ppi respectively for the purpose Of aiding in the
near the mouth Of The Ohio river; and that public OF
the United states 70 the in proportion the
length OF toe road. the terms, liabilities, and 10.
20 said States Of Alabama and Mississippi respectively