The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-01-28
Railroads I'm the Wcst-AuIilinry Grants OF
Public Land.

| Public Land.
The Senate is largely occupied just now
with debates arising out of a measure intro
duced by Mr.. JONES, Of Iowa, granting lands
10 that State IN aid of the construction of pro-
introduced which can hardly fail to produce
collateral discussions on questions involving
the general disposition of the public lands in
the great and growing West.
The people of Iowa believe that the interests
Of their State require the construction Of two
great lines of railway-one from Dubuque to
keolluk, running through tier of settled and
comparatively improved counties, and con-
Meeting the principal mineral region with what
must always be the chief river port of the
State the other from Davenport to Council
Bluffs, trayersng for the most part success
sion of fertile prairies, opening for settlement,
a region otherwise all but unavailable, and es-
tablishing route of travel between an advan-
tageous point on the Mississippi, and the recog-
missed starting point for Oregon and California
Doth are Of vital importance to Iowa. and in
less degree, though not less certainly, to the
whole Union. Confident in the possession OF
rich and varied resources, and 10 the justice of
eminent, the State has made application for
assistance in the form most available; and in
pursuance Of that application the bill now be-
ioie the Senate proposes to cede TO the State
alternate sections Of unsettled land along the
contemplated roads to the extent Of six miles
on either side.
Without committing ourselves to the details
Of the measure or all the Interior views of its
friends, we cannot but think that the principle
it rests upon is essentially sound. whether con
sidered as n portion Of our national economy,
or adapted to the local requirements of
newly settled district. We approve of i, as
means Of effectng gigantic Improvements
which would otherwise be impossible, and
hope hereafter to see i applied to every State
| uircumstanced as iowa is, and presenting equal
claims 10 legislative assistance. 1t is as ap-.
| plcable 10 the construction of a canal at Saul
Ste. Marie, for the behoof of Michigan, as to tho
| building of railroads for the benefit of Iowa;
and we are unable to discover in what Igh,
the plans projected for the advancement of
Mlchlgan or iowa can De regarded as preJudi-
clal to other sections of the Union.
The wrong imputed to The Iowa scheme is
that it appropriates to the State what belongs
to the nation-that it does injustice by diverting
from general application, for the relief of par
tcular localities, large tracts Of the public do
main held by the General Government in trust
for the whole community. II it were shown
that the grants eougn, were designed to aggran-
dine individuals or companies Of spectators,
the objection would be valid and conclusive.
But the State, as whole, makes the applica-
ton, and compliance with it, whllp Sonferius
| obvious advantages the present holders of
land along the lines, will not the less benefit
all other Of its citizens,
Simply az measure of justice, it seems TO
us that the residents of a State which but yes
terday formed the hunting ground Of indiana,
have title to soyno regard IN consideration Of
the services which they have indirectly rem
dered to the country. Admit that the first
seitlers Of territory are such from regard
TO their own welfare and not from any mo
tives Of patriotism, still it cannot be denied