The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-02-25

4
Mr. fELCH. think not.
Mr. BELL That principle, then. may be regarded as
sns IN bs W axe M M ae paIe ds u Yvha" uoo
ope The doctrine founded that you shall not give lands
these private companies corporations On what principle
can you maintain that you shall neither give to canal
nor railroad company though may appear that TO do
would Increase the value OF the public domain Upon
what authority or upon what principle OF reason does
that proposition rest can easily see that II may be
good local or State policy TO give to no other object but
mat OF the State because II may answer as fund for
tightening the burden OF taxation in that State long
as il continues TO be State That is sound, judcious
local State policy. do not dispute that 1t is founded
in clear principle OF economy, with reference to
the interests OF the particular people OF State to which
these grants are made but upon what principle OF JUS
tce with regard TO the other States which equally
interested IN the public lands Upon what principle il
is assumed that we can give lands TO State TO be
permanent fund to relieve its people from the burden Of
taxation forever and yet shall not be permitted TO give to
any private company. although il might benefit the pub.
lc lands even more, cannst perceive. H. sir, there
should be any sound why the new States should
oppose any grant of land companies within their limits
and insist that all lands granted by Congress in aid OF
any railroad or other Improvement within their limits
should be made to the Sate and the fund be applied to
such improvement under the direction Of the State,
still what forbds that the road other Improvement
should not nure TO the common use and benefit OF all
the States people OF the Union II the road is to be
constructed under the authority OF the State by the appl-
cation of fund granted by the United States, why not
make the road free TO all the citizens OF the United
States, after paying expenses and repairs Or if
tolls exacted beyond those necessary for those OBJ
ecs, why not distribute the surplus among all the States
Why limit the profits to the State in which the roads
are situated seeing that the government Of the United
States furnishes the means for making them! Such
roads great advantage and benefit to the people OF
every State in which they constructed and especially
to those who reside on the line OF such roads, They i'm
prove greatly the value Of all the lands held by indi-
vduals, well as by the government l. is then, a
great object with any State 10 have these improvements
made independently of any profit accruing from tolls
But the States, not content with these advan-
ages, insist upon converting the lands granted 10 those
government forever Only observe what magnificent
scheme of local State policy thus projected and in
sisted upon. BY the bill now before it proposed to
grantto the State Of Iowa million and half OF acres
of The public land The effect OF this grant will be to
raise the value of those granted lands, as well as all
Others in the hands OF private persons on the line OF
of them twenty dollars; but take the average to be
FIVE doars-then make donation TO Iowa OF seven
and half millions OF dollars
Take still more glaring AT the last session,
the honorable senator from Illinois Mr. DoU0LAs] was
chiefly instrumental IN getting through an appropriation OF
two and half millions OF acres Tor the State OF ILL.,
nois. have estimates as 10 the value OF the
and granted TO Illinois Tor the railroad from chicago 10
Cairo, which note ii at some twenty or twenty. i've
millions OF doars, assuming that it is worth ten dollars
per average. That may not appear TO be an
extravagant estimate when all things are considered
Some OF the lands will be worth ve and ten, and
only FIVE dollars per acre. and that will give 500 900
to the State OF illinois, TO constitute fund 10 be used IN
such that the profits may relieve the people Of
that Stale from the burdens of taxation forever This
Sl2 is only about half OF the estimated value OF
this magnificent grant, and will only say TO the senator
from Illinois thai if he will only be as clever and liberal TO
all The other States OF the Union he shall be elected Pres
dent by acclamaon Give in Tennessee $l2,5oo,O0o
to relieve her people from the burden OF direct taxation,
and he shall be our Magnus Apollo for the next four
eight years invite him 10 come up and consider the
proposition Sir il is glorious boon which he has con-
ributed TO beslow upon his State and cannot per-
ccve upon what principle OF justice to himself he can
refuse 10 other States equivalent advantage; nor how
he expect support from those quarters OF the Union
| TO which he whhods bouDiies which his own State
has received In Kentucky and Tennessee, we are CON-
PEELED 10 make railroads and find our own cap-
tai and, from information have received, expect the
State of Tennessee will add largely 10 her public debt
\ this year TO aid in The construction OF railroads.
! Mr.. DOUGLAS. Does my friend from Tennessee want
answer II he does, will give It with great pleas
ure.
| Mr. BELL Yes. sir Iwant an answer, if you please.
| Mr.. DOUGLAS. l will state that would extend 10
the State of Tennessee with great deal OF pleasure pre-
csey the principle that be extended to Illinois, Mis-
sisspp and Alabama. The principle was TO give alter
nate sections TO these States within fifteen miles OF the
road, on the consideration Of doubling the price OF the
other alternate sections You found you could not sell
the lands for dollar and quarter per but by our
making the road you sell them for two dollars aad
half II there any public lands in Tennessee let my
friend bring forward his bill, and will today vote
/ 10 give the same grant to Tennessee But there
are no public lands in Tennessee. Why not Z Because
The general government has given up all the public lands
she had; and, after she has got ALL she comes IN and
complains that illinois has got small portion,
! Mr. BELL How much did Tennessee gel
| Mr.. DOUGLAS. | do not know the quantity, but |
know she got the whole.
! Mr.. BELL wanted some candid and serious an
swer thought my friend would think seriously OF the
question and endeavor TO ingratiae himself with the
people OF the others States of the Union will say that,
whatever lands given to Tennessee the record,
think will bear out in saying that they did not deiray
one half the expense OF survey sae and the settlement
of the disputed titles. So that that is answer TO my
gument
But am not arguing for Tennessee alone, but Tor all
the States OF the Union which have no public lands
within their limits and yet equal owners and copar
ners in the whole public domain | wanted the senator
TO answer me this He admits the principle OF giving
away part OF the public lands for the purpose oil I'M
proving the remainder: will he answer whether rail-
road made through Tennessee and Kentucky would not
add 10 the value Of the public lands in lnos and, il
So upon what principle OF justice equity be can with
hold grant of land to Tennessee and Kentucky to ena-
bic them TO make that road Will he answer The pubic
lands in Illinois much the property oil tennessee
and Kentucky of Illinois, and they have an equal right
TO the benefits OF any donation OF these lands, no mailer
for what objects for what purposes made we gave
FIVE or six millions for the national road on the principle
OF enhancing the value OF great national domain IN
the West So every road leading to Iowa. or Missouri,
lands by giving new facilities for immigration, for com
merce and for market Now, assert again that IT Is
an exceedingly selfish and indeenslbe policy which de-
cares that you shall only give 10 objects within the limits
of the States and in particular manner, so as 10
create permanent fund for the use of those States.
Several modes OF dsposng of the public lands have
been proposed from time 10 time Some have proposed 10
distribute them in kind among all the States, giving the
new States liberal bonus above the other States DINERS,
again. have proposed to distribute the proceeds OF the
sales OF the ands after deductng the cost OF survey and
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