The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-04-01
Mr. CLARK withdrew the resolution assigning.
as reason for doing 50, that there seemed 10 be
greater desire To debat To it than he had supposed.


greater desire to debate it than he had supposed.
PUBLIC LANDS
MIR, COBB, from the Committee on the Public
Lands, reportcd bill authorizing the salc of lands
IN Ohio and Michigan, ceded by the Wyandots to
the General Government; and, after debate, the bill
was passed
Several other bills were reported by this gentle
man, and referred TO the Committee Of the Whole
the state of the Union
Mr.. COBB, from the same committee, reported
a bill granting the right of way, and making a
grant Of land To Alabama to aid in the construc-
uon of the Memphis and Charleston railroad.
He called the attention of the House the i'm
portance OF this bill. Gentlemen acquainted with
geography, he said understand where Memphis is
located-in the State Of Tennessee, on the Missis-
sippi river. Any one disposed to take moment
trouble could trace the line from Memphis, in a
direction east, to connect with Charleston, and
uniting with other branches of national railroads.
He would say to Maine, which formidabiy
arrayed against such grants, that this great work,
when completed. will connect with the northeast.
on the Atlantic, He referred to the country over
which the railroad will pass, and asked that the
bill be put upon its passage, feeling satisfied that,
if il shall be referred to the Committee of the hole
on the state OF the Union it will be the last they
shu! hear OF it,
Mr.. JOHNSON, of Arkansas, said that they who
in faver Of the bills granting alternate sections
OF the public lands for railroad purposes are anx-
ious to have come action, that they may determine
the course TO be pursued with regard to them. II
II be fact that they arc not TO pass without de-
bale in committee, he hoped that there would be
some indication of it to day II the majority con-
slider that there has been debate enough on these
matters, and will take the bills. which have been
well-digested; If it be fact that the majority are
disposed to pass them without further delay or con-
sumption OF time, then the motion which he wac
about to make will determine the ques ion He
called gentlemen friendly TO these species OF
grants to sustain him. He wished TO know whe-
Their the House intended to kill this bill pass it at
once
-
600, s2.3O0,OOO of which has been subscribed.
Ninety miles of the road have been constructed,
and cars will be running upon il towards the close
OF this year. You can see whether we are In ear
nest not in building this road. The question OF
the public lands has been thoroughly discussed
He knew that continued debate would only
sutin waste of time and public money; and there
fore he would conclude by expressing his reliance
on the wisdom and justice OF the House for favora-
bic action upon this bill. ~
MIR. MEACHAM. Has The bill been printed?
Mr.. COBB. 1t is nearly precise copy Of the
Missouri bill, which conforms to ohers OF similar
character. This has not been printed, because 1t
has just been reported.
Mr.. MEACHAM How ia it with the alternate
sectional
Mr. JOHNSON They are allowed.
MIR. MEACHAM How far?
Mr.. JOHNSON replied Six miles certain, to be
secured within the limits of fifteen.
Mr.. MEACHAM. Do you raise the price of the
alternate sections after going beyond SIX miles!
Mr.. STANLY did not wizh his vote to be re-
garded as expressive OF hs views upon this subject
He had had no time to examine the bill He rather
thought that he should vote for il, after seeing
whether there was opportunity Of doing justice
to other sections of the country. He wanted lit
tie further discussion.
Mr. EVANS said that if it is moved to put the
bill upon its passage, he would have to vote against
Mr.. JOHNSON wished SO know whether if the
bill should not now be put upon its passage, the
gentleman would vote for it.
Mr.. EVANS said he did not know. II was no
reason that he should vote il because it was like
another bill in its provisions. He wished to learn
whether the sections located proper routes.
He was not hostile to the BILL but did not wish his
Mr.. JOHNSON. Did you vote for rail
road bill on this principle?
Mr.. EVANS replied that he voted against the
motion to commit the Missouri Railroad bill.
Mr. JOHNSON was glad to know it, He would
be exceedingly glad TO accommodate the gentle
man; but he had never seen the time when every
body could be accommodated; and beside, the
friends OF the measure want TO know what lie the
temper of the House as to passing these railroad
grants.
Mr.. CAMPBELL, of Illinois, merely desired to
say that il his vote this bill was to be considered
vote on all the bills Of a similar character TO be
reported TO the House no notwithstanding he was Ia
vorabe to the principles which ii asserts-he must
vote against it. He desired that every such bill
should stand on its own merits; and he op-
posed to any combination formed in the House
TO pas any bill which has no merit in itself.
MIR. JOHNSON resumed the floor, declaring that
he could not again yield il.
Mr.. FOWLER. Iappeal to the gentleman from
Arkansas.
MIR. JOHNSON How can reluse the reverend
Gentleman [Laughter.l
Mr.. FOWLER. AZ the gentleman has asked
tho gentleman from Maryland (Mr. EvASs) whe-
tbcr he has voted for one Of these bills wish
TO put question to him, namely: has he ever
voted to parcel out lands to the old States'
Mr.. JOHNSON. No; and never will Laugh
Mr. FOWLER. Itis known that we Of the old
States have literally given lands to the States
viii vote for this bill provided there be something
like reciprocity. ! ask the gentleman whether he
will vote for some OF the propositions to give
the old States LANDS for internal improvement pur-
poses.
Mr.. JOHNSON. have secn one proposition
which would support; but do no, believe that il
can come before the House under favorable cir
Mr.. FOWLER. Which Of the number
Mr.. JOHNSON. One, the paternity Of which Ia
not claimed by any member Of this House; but
which gives each State portion Of the lands
according 10 lite federal representation In Con-
gress.
Mr.. FOWLER. ! am not tenacious to any
one Of these bills, but am tenacious Of the prin-
ciple
MIR JOHNSON said the course which he pro-
posed 10 take was inofensive one. The friends
Of the bill want TO know whether the Housc will
pass II or not II they refuse TO sustain the de-
rDBnd for the previous question on the motion 10
put the bill upon its passage IL plain that the bill
must go TO the Committee Of the Whole on the
state Of the Union.
Mr.. SEYMOUR, Of New York. When the gen
tleman from Arkapsas speaks Of passing bills Of
this character, ! ask whether we have had any
thing like foil and free discussion upon tbeml !
am induced 10 ask this question because he Gays he
will regard the vote test question. For my
own part, am willing to go into committee upon
them, that they may be examined in all their rela-
tions.
Mr.. JOHNSON. This bill contains the same
clauses az the others. The Committee on the Pub
Tic Lands have adopted one fixed system and set Of
words. II any gentleman is not acquainted with
their provisops IL is because he has not given the
subject particular attention.
Mr.. MEACHAN. You said that gentlemen have
not examined them, because they would not ex.
anime them
Mr.. JOHNSON. I disclsm casting any rehec.
ton. II the gentleman considers IL, he should
take from me my humble apology in the face of the
nation Laughter. will not take the vote refus-
ing the previous question it's passage, the death
OF the bill, but ndspositon the part OF the
House TO act upon IL at this time. II the bill shall
be referred he would take il for granted that all
similar bills will be 90 referred, and that the House