The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-22
CONGRESSIONAL.

TUESDAY. AUGUST II. 1852,
I'm cosrISUATIoN,l
SENATE

the construction Of the Sault de ST Marie canal,
Mr. UNDERWOOD said Mr.. President, / am for
practical legislation. Under the state OF things which
exists in the houses, il this bill passes Just il
stands and is sent to the House, do not believe it will
pass there during the present session rse therefore,
10 offer an amendment which, adopted will, believe
secure something that is practical and something that is
valuable to the country. 1t Is germane-it has that
advantage, think II isa provision Of House bill No.
2S0 proposing 10 grant lands in aid OF the construction OF
railroads, and for other purposes and in Offering
amendment, want TO modify it TO make different
from the form in which il passed the House will
strike out the third section and put in the amendment
offered and laid upon our table by the gentleman from
iowa Now, can | make a few remarks before the
amendment is read
Mr.. UNDERWOOD .If this bill passes. has already
been ayowed by my distinguished friend IRON Michigan
that the bill which have under consideration
will be vaueless | wish TO bring this whole subject to
the consideration of the Senate and Of the nation in
practical point Of view. This amendment which offer
does T. proposes az s every sena.or knows, waai w
sessor-to to the old States interest in the
vast public domains which Congress must dispose Of
This amendment very large portion OF The pub
lie domain Michigan and TO The other land States but
while il does that, il asserts the principle that the old
States have interest in this great fund.- and they
entitled to be provided for Now il you will adopt the
amendment proposed by the gentleman from Iowa,
amended and pass this bill with it. you then send back
the House OF Representatives bill which they have
sancloned you send 70 the popular branch OF the legs
which they have affirmed the principle for which have
ronended from the commencement of the session-that
the old States have an interest and ought to have SHARE
in the vast amount OF the public domain You will then
bring the other branch OF Congress- if you adopt the
amendment part Of this bill, simply to disagree
ment with the bill proposing to give hundred and
fifty thousand acres OF land to Michigan for this canal
the passage Of the bill with that feature in it, and
thereby it will becomt law OF the land And, after
all that has been said in this debate if you intend to
upon this subject during the present session. you had bet
a 1ka he am nlm teh huun
and act upon denitvely than to get up debate upon
that amendment after this bill shall have passed Sir,
directly after the speech made by my friend from Mich
gan had terminated under the admissions which thought
nobody could deny got up and suegesed 10 the Senate
that he had better great deal lay his bill upon the Ia
BILE, and take up this bill and act upon IT, II this bill
was passed, be would then secure something Ii it
passed, according TO his argument it would render the
bill now under consideration nugatory and of no value
1t would have been The correct course TO have been pu
sued according my suggestion but my friend from
Michigan said shall have the vote directly and l. for
the purpose of trying TO perceive whether could gel
vote, withdrew il; and what has been the consequence
Speech after speech has been made since and an amend
ment proposed TO put the homestead bill, II is denom
mated, upon this bi-a measure not germane, con-
celve, to This subject
This bill proposes TO grant lands to the State Of
Michigan to make canal My amendment proposes
10 grant lands TO the State OF Michigan 10 make rail-
roads Is not that germane TO the bill II is 10 grant
land 10 the State OF Michigan Tor both purposes. But my
amendment goes beyond that and says. while grant
land 10 Michigan TO make railroads grant lands also
10 other Staes to be appropriated for the purpose of in
ternal improvements. We give 10 all the iand States
lands Tor the purpose OF railroads. and give 10 those
that not properly speaking land Siates-meaning by
that thai they have public lands within their bounda-
ss-a portion OF the public lands, which they shall have
right TO appropriate for the purpose OF internal i'm.
provements The object OF The present bill is 10 make
provision Tor internal improvements The object OF my
amendment 10 TO make provision for internal improve
menis The object OF The present bill is TO make inter.
nal improvements in one State. My amendment only
enlarges II by making provision for internal improve
mens in all the States Now | conceive that the
amendment which, | have the honor TO offer is per-
iecty germane the subject OF this present debate and
in every aspect believe that il is the only practical
proposition shall obtain TO get the action OF Congress
upon this bill h, has come from the House of Repre-.
seniatves A
would say to gentlemen who have the various rail-
road projects at heart-al OF which have voted for,
and which have been sent to the House OF Representa-
lives, where they know their fate well | do-that
II they wish during the present session OF Congress TO
act efficiently upon this subject they had better take up
my amendment and consider il seriously, make 1t part
OF this BILL and then let the whole subject be sent To-
gether the House OF Representatives There is no
proprey in taking this BILL isolated and alone, granting
land 10 the State OF Michigan for particular species
OF Improvement, and refusing it TO all the OF the
Siaies for their improvements. which may be regarded
OF vast national well local importance the
other States. Sir, will not repeat the Arguments
made Of here the other day, 10 show that 10 mill.
tary aspect il is just important to have road connect
ing with the Gull OF Mexico il il TO have canal
around the falls at the Saut Ste. Marie. say will
not repeat any OF those Arguments. merely refer to
them, knowing that the intelligence OF this body will
al once the force OF the argument in that aspect and the
Importance OF having the whole Subject blended in the
same bill and sent to the House of Representatives.
Now, sir. unless you adopt this amendment and
take up the subject IN the manner | propose, ask
senator's what chance is there OF getting this House
bill up and OF obtaining separate action upon ~ II
you pass this Michigan bill separately, granting this
10000 OF land for the construction OF this
canal, 1t will fare precisely in the House OF Repre-
sentaiives those other bills have done, unless
which, perhaps, my friend from Michigan will sey is
the case--ihis object is OF much more import
ance than everything else that il will consequently be
entitled 10 precedence in the consideration OF the House
Of Representatives That might therefore, give greater
magnitude and importance in their estimation and lead
the Senate to insist upon not connecting with these
other measures but send TO the other House. so that
they may obtain separate vote upon the measure re-
lying upon its greater importance to carry II through
But ask II that is farl ask If such course, even
should succeed, just and proper TO the other States
o. this Union, who here affirming the great principle
nat they have the interest IN these lands that
Michigan has These are the reasons which have in-
duced me TO propose the amendment which have done
presume the Clerk understands the amendment Ii Is
70 add to the bill under consideration the bill 'ma-
KING grants Of land 10 aid in the construction OF railroads,
and Tor other purposes" il from the House OF
representatives, with the exception = the third section,
IN nes Q, which propose TO insert the amendment OF
notice. 80, sS'
Mr. SASS Every member knows the subject-natter
.ha suppose and do not think i necessary
MT. unMnppEsRNWo0D. nn II is the 'sBennett BILL"
sire 10 have II read w
MI UNDERWOOD, think there il a proprie,y in
,esuss pa.. o. ~ think that part Of il which is pro-
Posed 20 pe substituted an amendment bv nv friend
from Iowa, and the third son,. .., , ~ ~ 80 y.