Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-12-01
HOUSE OF COMMONS.

SATURDAY, Nov. 27, 1852.
The unfinished business of yesterday, being the
resolutions concerning the public lands, was then
taken up, the question being on the amendment of-
fered by Mr.. Saunders.
Mr.. Bynum, of N northampton, offered the follow
ing resolut ions amendment to the amendment:
We regard the opening of the inlet at Nagshead
as national measure and one calculated TO benefit
only the commercial interest of the United States,
but the interest of the people generally and where
as we consider this work strictly within the limits
of the Constitution; therefore
Be IL RESOLVED, That our Senators and Representa-
tves, if in their opinion the said work shall appear
practicable, hereby instructed to apply for an APP
preparation of SO much of the public money
may be necessary to open said Inlet at or near Nags
head in this State.
Resolved further, That We are opposed to the poll
cy of granting the Public lands to actual settlers,
and OF making large appropriations of the same to
works of internal improvement within particular
States, as unjust, unequal, and impoiltic; and our
Representatives in Congress are hereby instructed to
endeavor to prevent said Policy but if said policy
should continue contrary 10 our wishes and their ex-
er,ions, then and in that they further nstruc-
ted 10 make application for appropriation of fair
and equitable portion of said lands to the State of
North Carolina, which, when appropriated, shall
be applied as the Legislature may direct
Mr.. Bynum, of Northampton said, he did not rise
70: the purpose of making a set speech upon the
resolutions before the House, for with due Difference
the opinions of Others he did think questions
of this nature fit subjecs for long harangues on this
floors for he supposed that the minds of gentlemen
would not be influenced way the other by
them. His object merely TO give the reasons
in few words, which induced him to offer the
amendment to the amendment of the gentleman from
Wake [ Mr.. Saunders.
He said, he could not vote for the resolutions as
introduced by the gentleman from Davidson Mr..
Leach because they not only counenanced, but re-
commended distribution of The public lands among
the States He regarded the public lands a
opinion that they ought be kept for that purpose,
as we'll as to discharge the public debt II had been
stated that the public debt amounted TO sixty millions
OF dollars and he was opposed to taking out of the
hands OF the general government the means of dis
charging this debt He said if the public lands were
distributed among the States the of the gov
eminent would be materially diminished and that
Representatives would be under the necessity Of in
people, and thereby increasing their taxes; and he
was opposed 10 any system by which the burdens of
the people would be increased.
He could not vote for the amendment of the gen.
tleman from Wake MIR. Saundersl because there
were several material objections TO it. AS the
solution concerning Nags-head inlet he regarded it
as national work, and one clearly within the limits
OF the Federal Constitution and he iing to
ask for money. and much was necessary to
complete the work. AS to the resolution relating to
the Public lands, he did not regard it as sufficiently
strong in expressing our Interpretation OF the Prac
tice which has obtained in Congress- of squandering
those lands for the benent of particular States he
wished TO instruct our representatives to endeavor if
possible to prevent t-but if il should continue
not want North Carolina to suffer by it; and under
such circumstances was willing for her to receive
fair and equitable portion of the public lands; and
when appropriated he desired the Legislature APP
ply them their proceeds in whatever way its wis
dom might direct. He did not wish 10 be placed un
der obligations to apply them to Rail Roads any
other kinds of internal improvements. He preferred
seeing them applied to the liquidation of the large
public debt now hanging the people of North
Carolina, before they used for any other purpose
He said it was proper that he should state, in de-
fence of the amendment he had offered and the course
he had pursued that he regarded the question OF the
distribution of the public lands question OF ex-
PedieLcy entirely; whether they were distributed
among the States applied strictly to the purposes
for which they were intended-neher courseif pur-
sled would BE- criminal, would it be violation
of any great moral principle, such one as would be
calculated to elicit from gentlemen such EXPLANATIONS
these" Fiat Justia ruat cekum -! g Let justice
be doLe if the heavens fall - " Do evil that
good may Gomez! He behed the question no
such light-t was one of expectancy only, and if the
people of North Carolina could not have the course
adopted to suit them not able to prevent the
public lands from being squandered, in the name of
common sense let them suit themselves TO circum-
stances and accept portion of them while they are
going. He hoped his amendment would be adopted,
for he considered it The true ground upon which we
should stand in reference to this subject.
Mr.. Caldwell, of Guford, thought the subject OF
the public lands the most important that could
come before the present Legislature. He then went
into history of the public lands, showing the policy
of former administrations in regard to them. He adj
vocated the distribution of the lands among the States
without ifs ands," and declared his belief
that truth and justice about prevail last.
The question occurring on the amendment to the
amendment, offered by Mr.. Bynum, it was rejected,
yeas SO, nays GO.
MIR. Saunders, of Wake, then addressed the House
length in support of his resolutions, modified by
inserting the words such sum of money may be
necessary" after the word appropriation He
said he accepted the proposition of his friend from
Northampton, Mr.. Bynum,) and would 60 for an
appropriation of money for the purpose of opening
Nagshead, and if he could not get the money he
would 60 70. the land and hoped his resolutions
would pass by unanimous vote. He commended that
the Constitution gave no power to levy taxes to be
distributed among the Statss He modified his last
resolution by striking all after the word proceeds
and inserting "shalI be applied the Legislature
may direct"
The Speaker announced that the hour had arrived
for taking up the special order of the day, being the
bill to repeal Jackson county, which, on motion OF
Mr.. Saunders, was laid the table.
Mr. Dobbin said when he entered the Hall he had
no idea of abandoning his determination not to en-
bark in the discussion Of the various subjects, for
many reasons, and more particularly because there
were other and more practical and imporan. subjects
before the Legislature. Having been alluded to-
however, he was constrained to obtrude word or
two lest his votes might be misunderstood. He
would avail himself Of some other sion to deliv
his views the subject of internal improvements
in the State. He believed the right spirit upon tina,
subject was aroused in Stae,s and he hoped to
live yet long enough to see the great projected
schemes accomplished. He was q Jealous friend,