The miners' express. (Dubuque, Iowa) 1849-1854, 1852-05-05
In the anrrerate amount to Il O57 6a5

LII the aggregate amount To U0/, OS0 "
tAnd whereas ca III of the Unilee States has
an equal right TO participate in the benefit of the
public lands, the common property of the
Union; and every wise and good American
having agreed in the opinion that the cause of
general cduca ion is indisseluby Unidentified
with the cause of general liberty: Therefore,
to do equal and exact Justice to all States to
aid in d,ffusing among the rising generation in
telligence enough to comprehend, and spirit
enough to defend, their rights, and thus to ee-
vate the national character, and insure the per-
pe,uity of eur free Institutions
abe Hresoiced That select committee to
consist of one member from each State, be
appointed, whose duly it shall be to inquire into
The justice and cxpediency Of making to each
of the thirteen original American States, togeth-
er with each Of the States Of Maine, Vermont,
Kentucky, and Tennessee, such grants of the
public lands for the purposes Of education
will correspond in just proportion with those
heretofore made in favor of the first named
States and Territories and that said committee
have leave to report by bill or otherwise. But,
to avoid the objection Of one State holding land
in another, the committee is directad to insert
clause in the bill which they may report, pro-
viding that the grants to be made thereby shall
be subject'o state under the laws of the general
government now inforce, aud that the proceeds
arising tbereirom shall be paid over to the States
entitled to the same
In the resolution Of Mr. Allan, upon which
there was a fierce battle fought, it will be seen
that there was some squirting at the sovereignty
of the State. The words. 'But to avoid the
difficulty of one State holding lands within the
borders of another &c, show that IT was not
sreped in unadorned federalism, as is the
anendmcn, now offered by the senator. Sir,
trust that if a majority OF this aud the other
House are to sanction this rickety and deformed
bantling of the senator Of Kentucky, he or they
will insert in it some clause like tina. contained
in the resolution which have just read
Mr.. Underwood. Will the gentleman allow
me to say one word here
Mr.. Dodge, OF Iowa. Certainly.
Mr.. Underwood. would greatly prefer the
proposition of my former colleague in the
House Of representatives. M Allan y but
thought my proposition would be more accept
able to the gentlemen, nasmuch as believe the
lard granted by it will be subjected to taxation.
MIR. Allan's object was to save the lands from
taxation But thought the proposition would
be more acceptable to the new States by giving
them the privilege of taxing the lands. If The
gentleman will vote for an amendment like the
proposition which Mr. Allan intfoduc d, would
greatly prefer it in that shape myself, and would
be willing to accede to it.
Mr.. Dodge. The senator wishes me to vote
for his amendment; aud declare, before God
and this Senate, that if yon would grant
denbl" or quadruple the quantity of land which
this bill proposes to grant to lowa-if you
would streak her over with railroad grants, the
proposition Of the senator from Kentucky could
never receive my vote. IF you are not willing
upon its own merits, to pass the bill, vote il
down. But how Mr., Allan's resolution
received Why, voted down by large major
ity, without even being sent to a committee I
wish now 10 read what | doubt not is pretty
good authority with my friend from Kentucky,
and with nv whig friends generally. Mr..
Vin:on, of Ohio, gentleman whose legal and
political information entities his opinions to
great weight, was one Of those who opposed
Mr. Allan's project; and how did he meet it ?
tle met il might resolution in these words:
"Reso'red, That the said inquiry extend to
all the States and that the said committee be
further instructed to inquire in.o the exp, dency
nf inserting a clause in sai'' bill tn p,y said pew
States the value "f the improvements made bv
them on the public lands, or t, pay t. them ''
amount The public lands would have been
sessed for taxes if they had been private pro.
Perty.
"Mr Vinton had no objection TO have this
subject 90 to select or standing committee, but
he could not, as representative Of one of the
new States, consent that the impression should
be raised in that House, or elsewhere, that the
new States had received larger proportion of
the public lands than they were entitled to re-
ceive. He argued that the grant Of lands to
the new States was not a gratuity, and that the
general government had received an equivalent,
therefor The State of Ohio and other States
assessed no tax on the public lands, when prl-
yate citizens were taxed by the State to make
improvemets on those lands, which cnhsnced
their value. large proportion of the roads in
the State of Ohio were made on the public lands
and the property of private individuals was tax
ed to make them. BY this means lands which,
were worth nothing before were Immediately
sold, and the proceeds sent into the public tr as
ury. The government, to be sure, had nad~
donations Of lands for canals and other improve
ments, but it always received equivalent
He instanced the grant made to the canal con-
Meeting the waters of the lakes and the Ohio
river, and for which the government Ind the
privilege of transporting troops and public pro-
pprty on the same free of toll. For the purpss,
then, of doing the new States Justice he had
proposed an amendment providing that, il land
was given TO the old States the new States
should receive an equivalent in taxes"
The amendment was twice offered by Mr..
Vinton, and advocated in speeches from which
have read a synopsis. Mr.. Vinton, too, you
will bear in mind, is politician who has never
been charged with being over loyal to the West
When delegate in the House l shall never
forget that he opposed every measure which
ever brought forward for Iowa.