The daily union., 1852-02-13

e olBdhLdtton OF the StateE thls must oen neCeSsd
rily be so IN the administration OF public affairs.
When we have been told Of the lands granted for I'M
pioyenents IN the States though these States
alone received benefits from the hands OF the govern
ment cannot fail TO turn 10 other expenditures oil the
government in which the West have scarcely paItci.
paed II roads and canals have been made in the West,
the East also has had expenditures for the purpose
The enormous expenditures for the navy, the large adj
vances OF money for steam vessels and the steam mail
service, the great expenditures ioI the coast survey aud
in the construction Of dry docks have afforded immedi
benefit the Salesoi the Atlantic and little none
directly to The western. An object OF great national i'm
poItance is none the less so TO my mind because some
Incidental immediate advantages may be derived from
il by one State which are not extended TO all This rs
often necessarily so. We should glory in everything
which promotes r,! our common prosperity. we should
although the stars which compose that Union are seIa-
rate, yet they form but single galaxy, aud the glory OF
that galaxy is one and indivlslbe.
| do not know, sir. what may be the action OF this
Congress on the general subject OF the pablo lands
They have become unfortunately The subject OF agitation
Many seeking for change, If they were certain
that something better might be found practical in It's OPP
eratons which should the public interest and ex-
tend broader benefits 10 individuals For my own part
on careful examination OF the present system and It's
operation can but regard it noble result of human
wisdom--one which has promoted the growth OF our
country aud lostered its true interests do not say that
notifications OF Al Will never be required nor the vary
ing exgcnces OF the country will not demand from time
to time provisions. Whenever changes shall be
qured by the common interest, will most cheerully
give them my support But that system in its main ea-
lures has 20 successfully promoted the growth and pros
perty OF the countyso advanced and guarded the in
eress of the States and the oldhat we should be
careful to avoid all rough assaults upon il.
regard, as part OF that well tried system, liberal
spirit the part of Congress in administering that do
man in the new States. Ii you Tenounce that
iberay, and declare that the public domain is be
thus administered that hereafter no aid is TO be rendered
to the settlement OF the public domain in the new
States nothing TO be granted Tor communication 10 or
through <he land, and inducements TO settlers TO
upon hem IN word, that The policy of the government
Is 10 be entirely changed, am certain that the land sys
liam
will have It's doomed system But trust no such
result will follow If, however, the system is 10 be re.
inquished and It's principles abandoned, then shall
look TO another power TO which commit the trust and
care OF this great domain. in my humble opnion II II
- taken from the power of the general government it
be niruscd nowhere but to the State authorities and
should by no means despair, il the present system
relnqushed OF comforting the title of this domain with
in their limits on the governments OF each OF the States,
secure The interest OF the general government on the
one hand, and promote the settlement, OF The States
the other. But will not discuss that question at the
present time. II may be hereafter presented in different
form, twill then be time enoughto discuss it.
! And now, Mr. President, have referred, far as |
desire, to the general features OF the subject before
shall vote Tor the appropriation contained in the org
nal bill Other bills OF similar character have been re-
ported by the committee, and shall for these also
upon the principle TO which have referred 1t due 10
all that the government the great landowner within
those States, should administer the fund on Just and lib
era principles and such will promote the sale and set
tetent OF these lands and advance the interests
| OF the country.
turn now, Mr. President, 10 another subject, which
has been presented 10 our consideration since this bill
was reported iron the committee. The senator from
hen'ucky MT UHDERwooDl has proposed amend
ment TO the BILL which calls for consde ration,
much as II presents new principles OF great Importance in
their practical operation. This amendment proposes
distribution OF the public lands among the old States of
the Union. II embraces of the States, leaving
Out The Twelve land States, and excluding also Caio
MA and Texas, and distributes the land among these
seventeen States in the following manner-that say:
| 10 the State oil Maine 5s3,ol0 acres;
To the State OF New Hampshire 3l7 76O acres;
10 the State OF Vermont 81, 800 acres;
| To the State of Massachusetts 09l .240 acres;
| 10 the State OF Rhode Island l47 $40 acres;
| TO the State OF Connecticut 370, 500 acres;
/ 10 the State OF New York 3.097, ,2S0 acres;
! To the State of New Jersey ass, $50 acres
To the State of Pennsylvania 2,3ll,6so acres;
/ 10 the State OF Delaware 90,56o acres;
! To the Stale OF Maryland $40 $50 acres
! 10 the Stale OF Virginia 1871 $50 acres;
| 10 the State OF North Carolina 753, ,2so acres;
| To the Stale OF South Carolina 5l4,240 acres;
| 10 the State OF Georgia 753.2S0 acres;
10 the State OF Tennessee g06 800 ACRES; aud
| 10 the State OF Kentucky sg7 $40 ACRES.
These lands, BY the amendment proposed, are TO
be used ior purposes OF internal Improvement Of edu.
cation within the several States the legislatures there
Of shall direct
0nce before this, Mr. President a proposition was
made IN Congress TO divide The proceeds Of the public
lands, and 10 distribute them into the treasures OF the
several States of the Union Never before, however.
has II been proposed 10 arrest the sales OF these public
ands aud apporon the domain in acres 10 the several
States That proposition for the FIRST time, so far at
least as am informed IA presented TO the Senate the
amendment before
II understand correctly The argument OF the senator,
70 support oil his amendment, he places the right of the
States mentioned in the amendment TO the lands the
basis oil grants for similar purposes heretofore made
the new States lie alleges that those grants have been
enormous and therefore claims, matter of right that
The old States should receive lands in the proportion des
gnated The distribution is not urged any merits of
ls own as measure OF right of public policy, but
simply on the principle Of comparison between The bene-
hts received by the old States and those received BY the
new.
de does not expect these States 10 be made equal 10
the new IN such grants but modestly asks ilea small
proportion IN comparison 10 what the States We
received for the objects believe, however sir
that II will be found, upon examination, that this small
proportion Tor which the senator asks much larger
proportion than the new States have received
manifest from the history of this country that IL
a proposition made for the federal government
TO enter upon general system OF internal improvements
Tor local Objects such contemplated by this amend
ment within the old States OF the Unon that proposition
would receive but little sanction from any portion of this
country lwould receive little counlenance in Congress
and still less IN the general feelings of the community
That question has been discussed hereofore-long and
ably dlscussedand, far public opinion on the sub.
lec Is concerned, may be considered as finally decided
But SIR the proposition which embraced in this amend.
mcnt Is substantially the thing only in more oh.
Ieconable shape II is precisely Identical in lis funda.
mental principles To use land instead of money oh.
yaies no objection.
II an undsguised general system Of internal improve.
mens m the several States undertaken by the fed.
eral government, the works on which the expenditure
should be had would be designated Their cost would
De aseerianed-ther importance TO the public decided
uPon-the manner oi construction hxedand agents. un-
der me direction OF, aud responsible to- the government
woula De appointed TO supennlend them But in this