The daily union., 1852-03-18

Senate long happened TO be accidentally out when the
vote was taken upon the amendment offered by the
ator from New York [Mr SEWARD and when the SEN
sor from Iowa Mr, DoDGEl made some explanation in
regard 10 Il. wish TO know whether he understands
the Pill as restraining the Stale from taking the alternate
sections that reserved by the when the
grant was made for the Improvement OF the Des Mones
river
wish TO make single remark in reply TO the remarks
OF the senator from Missouri. Mr.. AIcHsoE The sen
aor has pledged himself that he would abandon the bill
II u could be shown that one acre OF the pnbc lands
was gut He further remarks that II we reduce the
pce on the alternate sections that would be giving but
the price OF the alternate sections reserved
was Increased doubled prevented the grant from being
Donation lie then proceeded to remark that he was ready
vote Tor the graduation bill presenle by the HONORABLE
senator from Pennsylvania. [Mr. BRoDHEADl That
graduation bill reduces the price OF the alternate sections.
not only to the amount to which they now held but
to less Aan that amount Now, the declaration OF the
senator was that such reduction would constitute this
bill Believing that he will vote. he IS pledged to the
senator from Pennsylvania for The reduction OF the price,
have right to claim that he will against this
Mr.: BELL Mr.. President, s Some e Of my friends have
said that probably should vote nconsiseny II voted
Tor this bill do not propose TO 80 into an explanation
when .rsua have .convenien. opportunity to doit.,
stated. In my remarks upon this bill. that should give
to It my vote and support; and in so doing, think
votes similar questions heretofore If the Senate will
allow me. will ask the senator from Illinois Mr..
DoueLAs] one question before vote should be very
vote upon the bill in favor OF the appropriation TO Ala
hama and Mississippi of public land connected with the
Illinois railroads and this ask TO show that am not
out OF order altogether in my remarks upon this question
The grounds which assume for giving my vote IN fayor
OF this Iowa bill, and other bills of similar character in
favor OF other new States are the same as those by which
actuated when voted for Illinois, for the southern
States. Mississippi and Alabama. and would have voted
for Michigan and Wisconsin, and as would have voted
! for public Improvements in the State OF Indiana.
| What wished to state was, that bill was up two
sessions ago. think, when assumed the same prnci.
Piles in argument that did the other day That was, if
there be anything in the principle that Congress has the
power give away portion OF the public lands for i'm
povement, and enhance the value OF the remainder, Why
Congress could give lands lying in Illinois. or Missis
lucky to Tennessee The principle was the same, if by
connecting these two roads you improve the whole body
OF the public domain upon which they are constructed,
and wherever they exist upon the line OF that road
that when these bills up to appropriate
four five millions OF to Aaba Misss-
sipp and Illinois, made the proposition directly that
by that bill Alabama Mississippi and Illinois, should
be applied when sold by those States TO the completion
of the connecting line link between Cairo at the mouth
of the Ohio and the southern boundary OF Tennessee,
going through part oil Kentucky and Tennessee But
told by the friends OF those and who
in favor OF liberal appropriations OF the public lands to
the new States, that the amendment which proposed
would inevitably defeat the whole measure; and upon
consultation with the senator from Illinois, Mr.. DoU0-
LAS the point alluded to which wish TO have
planned. in that conversation he stated TO that his
judgment was liked in regard TO my proposed amendment
and he thought The proper and fair construction OF the
bill was, as had the impression until recently, with
gard all the ands that the proceeds Of the lands appo
priated ought be made ratabe believed, upon con-
vesaon With the honorable senator. that must have
been mistaken in that impression bot upon look ing
the bills forced to think that the bill granting land
to Mississippi Alabama. and illinois, bore that construc
from his recollection the drift OF that conversation,
his impression at that time OF the subject in justice TO my
sell Tor having iorborne TO press that amendment
| Mr. DOUGLAS. have not distinct recollection o
the conversation to which the honorable senator from
Tennessee IMr BELL] refers, although have yer,
strong impression upon my mind OF having my attention
called 10 that portion OF the bill by one, probably
by the senator from Tennessee and the impression rest
ing upon my mind at that time that the ILLINOIS bill
when written by myself, only extended to the State o.
Illinois, and did not contemplate the construction oil any
road beyond the limits OF that State When the amend
ment oHered- think by the present presiding Officer
Of this body MI kse%S %S extend .a hs road from n,
the States OF Mississippi and Alabama upon the same
condition, and TO the same extent and with the sams
privileges enjoyed by the other road II did not tc
that that language would confer any grant for making
road in the States OF Tennessee and Kentucky, bu
would simply be confined TO Mississippi and Alabama
At subsequent period my attention was called 10 the
specific language OF that amendment and, confess, il
my impression then that The language employed u
that amendment does bear the construction that the lands
to be selected in Mississippi and Alabama, not only
for the road in that State, but for road running rou
Mississippi to the mouth Of the Ohio river. After my
attention was called TO the language. that was my mpres
sion. II is still my impression that II is fair construc
on OF that language although at the time the measures
were brought forward it had never occurred to tina
any such construction could be put upon IL,
i Mr.. BELL. That is precisely the way recollect thu
conversation Of the honorable senator.
Mr.. DAVIS. | was desirous OF saying something upor
this BILL but do not propose TO do so this evening re-
linqush all purpose OF doing it. But wish before TIN
vote is taken to put myself in position so that ma,
not seem hereafter to be inconsistent with the
pursue with regard TO it. have 1t stated, sir, tba
there pending before the two houses OF Congress
bills for roads TO be constructed by grant Of alternate
sections through the public lands, sufficient IN number
and in to take up thirty millions OF acre
of public lands. Now, cir, II vote Tor this bil-and
have, believe, generally voted for measures OF TIN
character, where they TO be sanctioned by SCUM
discretion and by promise of useiulnessl do not wis
it should be hereafter understood that for one, com
nit myself 10 system like that | do not wish
to be understood that | bind myself by any obliga
tion to vote for these various measures as the
may be successlvely presented for the consideration
OF Congress. For when we come 10 a point lik
hathat thirty million acres, or any great quantity
the public lands, TO be distributed and disposed OF b.
propositions OF this sort. by bills OF this chatacier
and that deserves very deliberate consideration b.
Congress | hope that II will be understood in all II
bearings.
Why, sir, one OF the views bear urged here the often
est is the horror that s expressed OF specuatos The
are everywhere denounced in the halls of Congress
persons whose influence s most prejudcal and njurou
10 the States in which the public lands lie And what d.
you see bere One OF the first grants under this grea
system is made to the State OF Illinois, OF nearly or quit
three millions OF And now we have II announced
by gentlemen in their places upon this boo that by AZ
already entered nto that property has paseeC
out OF the hands of State OF Illinois, aud has passed
into the hands OF a company; that company OF spec
millions OF in the Stale OF Illinois II is deprecated
and has been deprecated this morning very solemn