The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-01-25

because il was using the public lands in Illinois and In
diana Tor the benefit OF their people, but incidentally
operating as great benefit TO my constituents Opera
ting in that way, thought that Illinois and Indiana
could not open their mouths at receiving boon the
hands OF The general government which incidentally
would operate 10 advance the interests of ST. Louis
Louisville, and other dependents
Now, sir, the fact want 10 state is, that heretofore
have been granting appropriations to States to enable them
organized to construct the road from point point, but
just because they were considered desirable Here IN
this case beg to repeat that the legislature have already
expended upon them and that this is TO grant facility 70
the States through which this road has already been laid
out to finish it, that it will operate advanag ageously
upon the points have mentioned
Now, In regard to The suggestion my friend has made
about road already proposed for the benefit OF Ken
will find that Kentucky runs 10 very narrow point On
the mississippi !! is only some thirty or forty miles
wide from the mouth OF the Ohio The State line. With
view to connect the railroad from Illinois to Cairo with
the road from Mississippi to Alabama, becomes neces
say to about thirty miles through the State Of Ken
lucky and these grants made heretofore both 10 Illinois
Mississippi, and Alabama will only operate, so far Ken
lucky is concerned, TO throw line OF railroads parallel
Of the year That is the advantage that Kentucky gets
You perceive that from the continued ma gabil
ity OF the Mississippi railroad along its banks for the
purpose OF connecting these other railroads. will be
worth scarcely anything to the State OF Kentucky
Now, sir every senator must understand the matter. My
purpose is simply to grant the usual quantity Of land in
aid OF these roads, already laid from Louisville AL
ton. with branch al ST. Louis In every other respect
the bill is Identical with those that have been heretofore
passed is OF great advantage TO US. and the question
is, will the Senate give ii Here is the plan for us to get
it; and if we do not get it in this BILL will probably
Mr.. WALKER. Some of the observations made by
the senator from Georgia Mr. DAwsoNl rather inter
esting to me- He seems to have bestowed some consid
erable momentary thought and reeclionand that, too
with considerable orce-upon The policy proposed
OF granting the public lands free settlers producers
and actual settlers think that his observations have
tbi
make this observation in regard TO them: very much
reoced find that this doctrine policy, OF
cedng the public lands 10 actual settlers has at last r
nmphed the contempt OF senators, if nothing else
That is the FIRST thing that encouraged the hero the
play we have it, that g faint heart never won fair
lady" He first overcame the contempt OF his lady love
at last overcoming the contempt of senator's for they
bestow their attention upon it, ii it be but to de-
nounce it.
But let ask whether the Senate is prepared to con-
slider thus amendment at this time There has been
bill introduced to bring all the States in which public
lands lie up TO the maximum granted to any State One
OF the very States through which this road proposed to
be run is of the very States that has received this
maxmum-the State OF Indiana. The proposition of the
committee is to equalze the other States with Indiana
and here comes IN proposition which has been
give to that State wh already received the greatest
OF public lands OF any of the States still of
the public lands; and that, too upon--
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Will the gentleman allow me
to interrupt him. correct matter of fact This propo
soh mas oeeh reported upon, ana laVoaoiy 100, Dy
Mr. WALKER. AT this session !
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Not AT this session. but at the
Mr. WALKER Then am in error But that does
not. TO me, do away with the force of my agu-
ment. This is a proposition 10 increase the amount OF
cordng the report of the Secretary, has received
greater amount than any other Stale
Mr.. CHASE, lin his seat) Illinois has received as
much.
Mr.. WALKER |, is said behind me tha, Illinois now
comes up TO Indiana. III that so that does affect
my argument; for that is another Stale through which
tins road is TO go. And another thing AT the last
sion we made grant TO Illinois, and it passed both
branches OF Congress, for strip of land, OF the usual
width, through the Stale, from end to the olhe 10
aid in the construction of railroada central railroad
and IN addition to that to continue II TO Mobile
do think that II there grant made here for
useful purposes, if this policy be correct. that the
proper grant for of all the roads that have been pro-
posed and constructed which will be constructed
in this country | believe this TO be of the most
vital and important 10 the interests OF the country As |
have often remarked, is those roads that lines of
latitude which are the great routes of commerce; and
should not wonder if that road when completed should
very materially revou,ionze the commerce of the
try, and create different commercial mars from those
that have heretofore existed had occasion to aIude
this the other day; and believe that the only thing that
prevent this revolution in the OF the
States then alluded toand the day is coming when
they will experience itand il may be well for them
look at their interests-he only remedy is based
upon this public land policy.
Indiana and Illinois, TO which have been already granted
the largest amounts of public lands As 10 the object
OF the senator from Kentucky, ii it has been reported
upon bya committee II will doubtless pass-l do not say
with my vote, nor do say that shall not support it.
But it is known to the Senate that j am generally op-
posed TO this policy Of giving land to States to aid in the
construction OF public works II is policy vicious in its
foundation and by making double price TO be paid for
the alternate sections, believe il is taking from the la
borer of the country contribution that not due from
him would far prefer 10 see these grants made free,
without increasing the alternate secuons-wIthout de.
mandng from the producing laborer OF the country
amount of contribution which will make good to the
country the loss 1t may sustain by these grants would
much prefer If did not operate hardly upon that
class that is the least able to bear it
Mr. BRADBURY called for the yeas and nays the
question OF adopting the amendment of the from
Kentucky: and they accordingly ordered.
Mr. SEWARD As the yeas and nays have been called
for upon this question: wish 10 the reasons which
will influence my vote upon it, | in favor Of the
original measure and II supposed that the amendment
proposed by the honorable senator from Kentucky [Mr
UNDERwooBl would tend 10 defeat embarrass il.
would vote against his proposition for that reason But
do not see how can produce that effect On the other
hand, adds in my mind additional for voting
for the original proposition, This public domain is the
property OF the United States Ii is the property OF the
United States in trust for the common and equal benefit
of all the States One of the ways in which IL can be
made use OF by the United States TO derive revenue
from it. as has been done heretofore That is egi-
way to it, but IL is not the only way Hit were
the only way then the domain has ceased TO be OF any
use to the United States 1t has already happened
that revenue has ceased to flow from the public do
main, II has ceased according TO the report OF
the Secretary of the Treasury, Tor sixteen years to
come According the estimate of the honorable sen
ator from Michigan, Mr. FELcH,] who addressed us the
other day, the fountain may flow again. within period
shorter than that. should Judge his estimate was in