The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-24

heard The senator from Georgia (Mr DAwsosl say tha
hitherto he has been opposed to such system but il
this IS persisted in il will be the only way that will
BILE his State to get the advantages 10 which she is en-
uted: hope OF our western friends who are
familiar with this subject will take this view of it, and
mature some system upon which we all may unite.
tMr. DOUGLAS next addressed the Senate His re-
Mr. UNDERWOOD. | am member OF the Com
mtee on Public Lands, and have had these railroads
under consideration, for the construction OF which bills
nave Deen reported in connexion with the subject general
have been thinking great deal as TO what was
lhe proper mode OF administering this great fund.- and
have come TO the conclusion that would speedily
could, prepare and present. by way OF amendment 10
some OF the railroad bills which we have under consd-
eaion proposition grant 10 the old States OF the
Union certain quantities OF land for the purpose OF inter
nal Improvement within their respective States. II
submit proposition OF that sort, as expect to do in
tend 10 make something like distribution among the old
States IN proportion TO their federal population, of an
amousl o these lands that will bear proportion 10
lhose winch are granted 10 the new States for railroad
purposes and purposes OF internal Improvement.
,hink that this is suitable occasion. after the
marks which have been made by other gentlemen. TO
Dring 10 the attention of the Senate considerations
an respect TO the proper m0e of administering the public
domain And first / wish TO notice the proprietary idea
winch IS advanced here being the legitimate foundation
upon which we can appropriate the public lands for works
history OF appropriations Of This sort for purposes of in
ternal Improvement connected with the idea of owner
ship on the part OF the government of the United States
as The proprietor OF these lands you will discover
markabe pecuarity, and that is this That this prop-
eary idea limits the appropriations for the purposes OF
internal Improvement to the States within which The lands
nal improvements when those improvements situated
out OF the State in which the lands lie.
Now, sir. never could see the for that differ
Ii the United States are TO be regarded az the pro-
pretor Of all the public lands in those States where there
are pubic lands, and as proprietor be legitimate to make
cana or railroad for the purpose of enhancing the value
O the lands situated in the States, why may they do that
and be ecluded from The right OF making road leading
TO those States by which emgrants TO reach the lands
to make purchases The original appropriations made
for the Cumberland road were justified upon the ground
that as apropretor OF the land in the States of Ohio In
diana, and Illinois, through which it proposed to
make the Cumberland road for the enhancement OF the
legitimate 70 appropriate land or money TO make the road
leading TO those public lands to make the road within
the States where the lands themselves were situated
But you will remark that in the progress of in this
age OF progress OF ours, have epudiaed the old
ton that would be proper and legitimate appropriate
money or and TO make road leading TO the States where
he public lands are situated and now the doctrine seems
10 be that i is only legal under the proprietary notion,
make an appropriation within the limits of the States or
Territories where the lands themselves are situated.
As proprietor, never could any for such
difference as this But under this idea, that you
only egtmately make appropriations in the States or
Territories where the lands situated, you entirely
cut of from making an appropriation TO connect the rail
roads which run through Alabama, Mississippi, and
Louisiana, TO connect with New Orleans and Chica-
20, running down TO Cairo from the lakes TO the mouth
oi the Ohio You cannot unite these great public works
pen TO be little point Of Kentucky and strip of
Tennessee projecting down 10 the Mississippi river be-
tween the road IN Illinois and the road in Alabama and
Mssissprs The mind that can come TO such conciu-
son. and reason upon the proprietary idea TO deter
m'ne that you cannot even connect works, that under
the proprietary idea you bud by running across the lit
tie strip of land in Tennessee and Kentucky to have
them united, seems TO me to be strangely constituted
Yet this has become The fashionable doctrine OF the
day.
Mr. President, the Senate know that gentlemen who
entertain the political principles that do believe that
we can legitimatey appropriate either lands money TO
the construction Of any work which we think OF nation
al Importance That once the doctrine oil this
try. hope 1t is not altogether exploded yet In times
past did appropriate money out of the public
ury for works OF internal Improvement. In times past
have appropriated lands purposes OF that sort As
a member OF the Committee on Public Lands, have
acted upon these principles, and intend 10
tinue to act upon them, | hold them to be correct
to be OF national Importance shall vote for appro-
pration of either meney lands for its construction.
shall do this upon no narrow policy. shall do il upon
no sectional consideration.
But while intend thus 10 act literally in promoting
objects Tor the Improvement of the country, whether
with lands or with money taken directly from the treas
ury, still feel that something like justice ought 10 be
done TO all the States oil the Union in the administration
OF this great fund II you will not return to the system
OF distributing the money arising from the sales OF the
public lands among the States do not perceive that there
is any other way by which we obtain that justice
than by uniting upon proposition such propose TO
submit in the course oil the discussion some OF these
blls-to make distribution oil the lands themselves.
know full well that my friends from the States will
rise like and say that the proposition TO allow
Kentucky, or North Carolina, or any other OF the old
Staes TO become proprietor OF part OF the soil within
their States is most horrible oresee that just
as the proposition is submitted there will not be man
upon this oor who represents OF the States in which
any portion OF the public lands is situated but will rise
up and protest against the very idea OF allowing any other
State TO become OF any portion of the lands IN
his State When that shall be done, shall wish those
gentlemen TO point out if they the difference between
allowing State 10 hold land within your territory, and
allowing individual 10 hold IL, when that individual
does not choose 10 settle upon and improve IT, An indi.
vdua may purchase much land he peases IN any of
the States where the public lands situated. lie may
never move upon il improve it. know that the pol.
icy Of my friend from Wisconsin Mr.. WALKsRl would
be 10 tighten the rens in such manner that THIS
thing should not be done in reference to individuals
But sir you may, when this proposition which con.
template shall be submitted require the States, II you
please TO sell within a limited time You have never
any restrictions yet But il will be premature to go
into lengthy argument upon propositions which are
merely existing in the imagination My main reason N
rising 10 notice some OF the arguments which fei
from the senator from Illinois, Mr.. DouGLAs] II IS
suggested 10 that should give way to motion to ad
joun shall leave that 10 the Senate, as am prepared
either TO 90 on now, or wait until tomorrow.
On motion, the further consideration OF the bill was
postponed until tomorrow. for the purpose oil proceeding
10 the consideration of executive business.
DANKING-HoUsE or G. w. PAIRO.-wILLIAM
viii
Quoted in the Of Paro Nourse