The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-04-03

In The Senate, March 3 and 4, 1859.
Tn, Senate having under consideration the bill 'grant-
mo hs right Of way and making grant OF land to the
Sse OF Iowa, IN AID OF the CONSTRUCTION OF certain rail-
,nsds in said Slate ~
i0;l, NJ, DODGE. Of Iowa. ssid:
Mr. PaEslDEsT: Although the bill now under consid-
ration is one OF much r1ment to the State which in
s.,, ysuresent had NOT expected. until within few
. 10 trouble the Senate with anything than brief
sS1osnaions in support oil Il, nor should now do SO
rs moi Io the many obstacles which have been in
smossd its passage and the wide range the debate has
,ersn Il measure which brought TO the notice
~ hs Senate by my colleague few moments after he
Slst look his seat this body, in lS4s. and which, at
s subsequent long session, rendered memorable in the
history Of the country BY the passage of the compromise
measures passed this body BY some twothrds majority,
bul was moi acted in the House OF Representatives,
oou the occasion OF its passage, my colleague explained
al rs PROVISIONS described the course and direction Of
hese roads through State. and he alluded, in that
ounexion, to the one which runs east and west with
hal great continuation OF railroad line which, COM
msncing al Boston, or further east is destined hope
al no very distant dSy. 10 reach the Pacific ocean. he
commented on the many benefits which would inure not
only to Iowa. but 70 ths whole na'lGn, from ,he con
hs advantages which would result TO State. 10 St.
Louis and TO the States bordering on the Mississippi.
from the construction OF the north and south road through
lowa-beginnng as it IS proposed it should, at the city
of Keokuk point on the Mississippi below some very
noted obstrucons the navigation OF that great river
thence running through the interior OF the State and
terminating for the present At the city OF Dubuque, in
The routes Of the roads through the interior Of the State
are 10 be fixed BY our Legislature Their prospective ben
CATION Of our rivers is seriously mpeded by ice and low
water for nearly five months in the year. But it is not
now my purpose 10 speak of the localities, courses or
distances of these roads they have been or will be de-
emined on BY the constituted authorities of Iowa. My
object 10 present. as far as can, reasons for the pas
sage OF the bill
Mr. President, the question Of granting alternate
tons OF the public lands to the States and Territories in
which they situated. TO aid in the construction Of
ads canals, and the improvement OF rivers, has been,
within few years past, often and ably discussed, that
am quite certain shed no new light upon il it is
one which has occupied the attention Of the master minds
and OF the ablest inteects OF America
Iis, in my humble judgment. an eminently wise and
Just policy, if unaccompanied with any increase OF the
price OF the reserved lands and am glad 10 perceive it
has been supported by distinguished men OF our country
who have think demonstrated both its consu,ionality
and expedency.
have taken from the constitution OF the United States and
The speeches Of those illusrous men who have spoken
upon the subject.
The constitution says:
THAT Congress shall have power dispose of and
make all needul rules and regulations respecting the terri
pry other property belonging TO the United States
The power to make this appropriation Of the public do
main, seems to me- is explicitly conferred upon Con-
gress by the clause Just read.
In bis Justly celebrated report upon the memorial OF the
Memphis convention of Is45, Mr.. Calhoun says:
Your commee will next proceed to consider that por-
Won Of the memorial which relates TO The cominunica alton
by oeds between the valley OF The Mississippi and the
southern Atlantic Safes They regard works Of the kind
belonging 70 inernsl improvements. Chat improve
within the body o the Safes,) and such are, In
their opinion, not embraced In the power 10 regulate com
nsIce But they are nevertheless. OF the opinion that
pass through public lands The United States
tribute to their construction in their character Of properties
the extent that they be enhanced In price thereby
This has usually been done by ding alternate sections
the projected line OF such works. aud believed that
guard against abuses, be devised That Congress has
right make such contributions, where there
able ground 10 believe that the public lands will be
hsnced In proportion, under s right dispose Of the ter
Ioy and Other public property Of the uned States your
committee cannot doubt In making this assertion, they
hold the rule OF strict construction, and that this pow
Ike all the other powosof the government, trust pow
ohe trust In his case he rule requires that The lands and
Other public properly of the United States should be dis
By conuibuiins portion 70 works which would make the
re,due equally more valuable than the whole would be
without H. as Is supposed, they hold would be strictly
within the rule. Your commitiee 20 further. They OF
the opinion not only that Congress has the right to contrib
ute the stated in such cases. but that Is In duty
p,lor. Of the land 70 b. benefited Il would be ne i,her
aa nor fair for IL to stand by and realize the advantage
due proportion towards its construction II would be still
less iusfablc refuse contribute II its effect. should be
defeat work, the construction Of which, while " would
enhance the value OF the land belonging the public, and
that OF individual proprieiors would promote the prosperity
Of the country generally"
In ls4s bill proposing to make grant OF land to
.
said
The question In this case Is very simple one. We
are authorized by the constitution dispose OF the public
and, Here public improvement, projected either by
sh pa. and by which the value Of the public lands will
be enhanced H. then viii add the value OF snds
ought we not to contribute TO 1T Would not, ind
ndnss, thus act This Is a novel principle. II has
been acted upon for more than twenty years The Of
The canal connecting the Illinois river with Lake Michigan
striking There alternate sections were given to
n,ss cansl and 'upgo'e oankPpeal with confidence
% The United States disposed OF slterward,
"Mr BRxKsr. Qn his seat) Thousands of acres were
disposed Of which would otherwise never have been sold
Mr. CALHOUN. ] have seldom given the result Of
which gatlhed me than the which gave that
@easlon ! then presided in that chair which you now
eppy, and gave the casting take myself there
ore some share In the credit Of that improve
mehL Indeed do not think that there Is principle
more perfectly clear from doubt than this Is II does
oeong 70 the category OF Internal improvements st all
msnt "0 power claimed by the government as govern
aSI oeongs TO the government as landed proprietor
nsu ul add that IL is only right but duty, and
important duty. Now what has been considered an
si.aoe arrangement between the government and the
a sse which may undertake an improvement passing
,S ihe public landsl Long since was agreed that
,hs go" oi alternate sections was fair contribution
| ~ rom which the United States would be very great
sa appears TO me to be equitable arrangement
railroad ~hslhsr n any case either oia csnsl OF
\, % MOI Dc gamer, To that prepared CO.
~ w toad long short if be long, you gain the
poro ,o you gain the les" and you contribute In pro
fV'"0h 70 your gain"
Again, he SAID
a.. A. far as the Michigan bin was concerned he under
~ aaa principle was simply giving alternate sections Of
N. ano ior the purpose OF enhancing the value OF
m ihe slightest doubt thai the government not only had
uon, ~ proprietor Of the public domain, TO grant por
dSv ~ INA hst domain for such pugo.e but was the
oh ought TO be ashamed Of allowing their lands