The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-28

them, the Missouri biz, has passed this House,
making donation of 500, 900 acres. The dis
eussion on the subject kas awakened the attention
of the old States, and excited their jealousy, and
number Of them have spoken 10 their Represent
atiyes, through their Legislatures, in favor of the
adoption Of some general system IN relation 10 the
disposition Of the public domain, wherein the
rights Of oil the States shall be protected; all of
which action proves most conclusively that we
should change the system IN the management and
disposal Of the lands.
On this subject some of our able statesmen have
already spoken. General CAss, the Senator and
great American statesman, holds the following Lam
guage, in speech delivered in the Senate few
weeks since.
"It is obvious, from the discussions which am
nually take place in Congress, and from the IN
creased ZEAL and, | may add, discordant opinions
which mark the progress of this great question Of
the public lands, that some fundamental change
must ere long occur in the system of their adj
minisiration. We cannot go on with pretensons
so radically different. On the one hand, with
large portion Of the real property IN many OF the
States placed beyond the reach of the respect
i've Legislatures taboosd in fact as TO all public OBJ.
jects, inert mass amid life Of struggles and
privations, while the great landholder does almost
nothing, complaining, indeed that he is asked 10
do anything; and on the other hand propositions
are pressed here, which lead in their principles
to division Of all this domain among the several
States of the Union, constituting their authorities
the great landlords, controlling immense regions
in other States, with all the difficult and delicate
questions to which such new relations could not
fail TO give rise. ! repeat, sir, everything ndi-
Gates that we in chrysalis condition fast APP
preaching our destined change"
Sir, these are opinions and sentiments which
have force and power, in relation to this great
question, coming as they do from one who has
filled so large space in the history of this coun-
try, and been identified with its progress and the
developments Of its institutions.
quote also from the speech Of Hon. r. RAM
roUL, delivered in this House on the Missouri
railroad bill:
Mr.. RANrouL said The question before the
House seems to me to be very far indeed from
question of mere sectional and local interest The
disposition to be made Of the public domain is
certainly great national concern, and ought to
be argued with view to its bearing upon the
great national interests OF the country, which
common to all sections. do not see clearly-I
cannot be certain, and think no other man can
be certan---that the national domain will continue
to belong to the United States as common prop
erty, to be applied as it is now applied for prob
ably-without looking very far into the future
it is probable that some means will be found to
Withdraw the public lands FROM their present
position, and to put an end to the long serios of
controversies somewhat sectional in their nature
to make final adjustment, upon general, just
and national principles, of the whole subject But
into the question whether such an adjustment be
possible, and if it be possible, how il ought to be
made, do not now propose to enter. intend 10
confne my remarks to the question, whether APP
preparations, such as are proposed to be made in
this bill, ought to be made for the opening of
great avenues Of internal trade. The old thirteen
States have certainly great interest in determining
what shall be done with the public lands-an in
terest as great in some VIEWS as that of the States
in which the public lands situated--and wish
to inquire what use can be made of the public
lands at the present, and until some final adjust
ment is agreed upon, and Of the proceeds there
of, which shall be equal in its advantages to the
old States, as we'll as to the New The prop
osition now before the House is for a grant of
alternate sections Of land to aid in the construction
Of roads in the State of Missouri"
l agree with the gentleman SO far as he indicates
that these controversies should be settled and that
the old States have deep interest in the way and
manner in which these lands shall be disposed of.
do not agree with him in his opinions that this
system Of special grants shall be longer pursued;
and ask the gentleman to give his aid and counsel
in favor of the general proposition now before the
House affecting the rights of all the States.
Mr.. Chairman, it is time for this Congress to
pause in this system Of special legislation The
dignity and honor of this Government require
that new policy be adopted that shall quiet the
acrimonious feelings which have already been en-
gendered between the old and new States for it is
clearly indicated that cannot proceed further
without producing results disastrous in their tend
encies-detrimental 10 the peace and quiet of the
country.
The Committee on Public Lands have been oc-
cupying the floor of this House nearly FIVE months,
TO the exclusion OF all other committees, reporting
special railroad bills mostly, and in the discussion
of them during the morning hour allotted To re-
ports. Each morning. almost, we are saluted with
the cry, Give us land land! the monotony of
which is occasionally broken in upon by an
nouncement from the Senate Of the passage by
that body Of railroad land bill located somewhere
in the wilderness, or boundless prairie, and asking
us most respectfully TO concur.
| am a member of a committee in this House
which has not been called to report this session,
and has had no chance TO report, except by unan-
imous consent ! hold in my hands reports and
bills, affecting the rights and interests Of private
citizens of this Government, which have long been
delayed, and we are now approaching the iermin-
alton Of this session.
The great public interests OF this country have
been retarded by this system Of special legislation
in regard to the public domain and the country
has become Disguised.
One Of the sources of difficulty in relation to
this great national question arises from the fact
that raising, by the operation Of the tariff,
nearly sixty millions Of dollars revsnue annually
sufficient TO defray ell the expenses Of the Gov
eminent, meet outstanding debts, and have mar
gin left for " Cat hinisun" We have great and
powerful manufacturing interest asking for more
protection from foreign imports.
In addition to this magnificent revenue, there is
concentrated and centralized in the hands Of the
Government 400, 000, 900 acres OF public land,
held as trust fund, belonging to the people Of the
several States and there is a constant struggle on
the part Of the States to sever the proprietor
ship OF the Government to the soil within their
limits "a strife not unnatural, growing out of
State ptide-the States having quartercd upon them
large amounts OF land beyond the power OF taxa
ton. The power Of taxation is one OF the SOW
ereign attributes of the States; IL is a vital ec-
ment in the development of State resources, the
advancement of civilization, and the welfare and
happiness Of people. The General Government
in view Of this great principle, has wisely made
provision that the new Sta,es should receive Ave
per cent. upon the selc Of all lands within their
respective llmits--which has been sacredy adj
hered 10 according to the terms Of the compat---
by which means tho States have had reserved to
them millions Of dollars. There has also been
granted 10 the land States and Territories moro
than 81 ,000,0 900 acres Of public lsnds-clear do
nations. Still, we hear the cry OF injustice and
sion the rlart of the land Stafes against