The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-02-25

piled trust, that Congress will dispose of ii in such
a manner will most efiectually promote the in
terests Of all the States The bill proposes to carry
out the constitutional power vested in Congress to
dispose Of the public lands-not by giving them
all away; Congress has no such right, for in this
way the Government would not carry out the i'm.
piled trust; but 1t would have the right to give
away half the lands, that the remainder might be
enhanced in value.
port OF his position. This authority, he said, had
more force on his mind than that of any other
statesman, living or dead. Whether gentlemen
should concur in this not. it would be conceded
by all that Mr.. CALHOUN was a strict construction
let OF the Constitution of the United States
The system OF internal improvements opposed
by the Democratic party, ID that which appropri-
ates money out Of the general treasury for roads
truly, that Congress has no right TO levy taxes
the people of the United States for the purpose of
constructing such works. But even if constitu-
nonal, one OF the strongest objections, and to him
lnsuperable was, that the money would be col
ected indiscriminately from all the people, for
the purpose OF constructing works which would
only benefit certain localities And therefore, il ID
better to leave works of internal Improvements to
the States, that they may take of their
interests; and. il the citizens therein taxed,
they will get the benefit Of such Improvements.
BY granting lands for purposes similar to those
mentioned in the BILL ii could not be charged that
this would involve the Government of the United
States in system Of internal improvements,
against which the Republican or Democratic party
has warred throughout all time. He believed that
Mr.. Polk voted for similar to this in 1928;
Mr.. McDuftie voted for il; Cas-, Douglas, Davis
OF Mississippi. Calhoun; in fact. all who were
known as leaders of the Democratic party have
advocated and supported bills like that now under
consideration.
This bill is not, therefore, to be secuted, first,
either the plea of its unconstitutonality or Sec
oudly, because it is said to be- anti republican, and
not democratic. He did not think that either of
these pretexts ID sufficient to drive the bill from this
Hall. and was Of the opinion that the majority of
10 mt Nnrfy ynr,1A vpto fnrt hs,h
Among the advantages would be the bringing
into market lands which have been exposed for
sale. but not found purchasers, for thirty years,
for the reason that they are remote from public
conveyanccs But construct good roads, open up
channels for transporting productions Of the soil to
market, and the Government could sell for two
dollars and half land that will not bring one
dollar and quarter per acre A railroad was
constructed from Charleston to Hamburg. in South
Carolina The land along the line, which was not
worth more than ten or fifteen cents an acre, In
creased in value to two dollars and half and five
dollars an acre in consequence Of this work. lie
understood that bill would be reported giving
lands to Florida for similar purposes. Unless that
State should make such improvements lands
dred years.
By making donations of lands, not onl the States
and railroad companies would be benefited, bat
hundreds OF thousands of dollars would come into
the treasury which would not otherwise. Greater
advantages would result to the than to the old
States. The productions Of the West and the land
are better. 1t has a virgin soil better than that
the Atlantic slope. There ia such country, from
his knowledge of geography. on earth-such
extent OF rich lands as there is in the Mississippi
valley.
He examined the provisions of the bill; and. in
CONCLUSION, expressed the hope that Congress will
not only pass this but other bills and deal literally
with the fair daughters of the West. being satisfied
that they would never have cause to regret it.
Mr.. WEIGH. Of Ohio. obtained the floor, and
offered an amendment. which was read He gave
way to
Mr.. FOWLER. who gave notice of amend
ment which he intends to Offer to the effect that
certain quantity OF land shall be granted to each Of
the States of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Massachusetts, Rhode Island Connecticut, New
York, New Jersey. Pennsylvania, Delaware, Mary
land, Virginis, North CaroQa, South Carolina,
Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky, for education
al and internal improvement purposes. He said
that he should endeavor to show the justice and
propriety OF such appropriation of public lands.
Mr.. WEIGH then resumed the floor. The bill
before the House proposes the construction of two
railroads in the State of Missouri, and asks dona
ton of land to aid in the work. The amendment
which he had offered designs to take up of
these roads-the one which commences at St. Louis
and then goes to some indefinite terminus on the
western boundary Of Missouri-and continue the
road through the States of Illinois. Indiana, and n
part Of Ohio, to Cincinnati; and thence through
ONO to some point on the line OF Washington
county, on the Ohio river, at near Marietta, or
town Of Virginia on the opposite shore, and then
to Three Forks, on the line Of the Baltimore and
Meeting the two roads at the extremes with the
Baltimore and Ohio railroad, and this Missouri
road named in the bill; that there may he n CON
unuous railroad from the city OF Baltimore TO the
western line Of the State Of Missouri. And the
amendment proposes to carry out the principle of
the BILL applied TO the Missouri road, SO far as
may be applicable to the contemplated road through
Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and part of Virginia; and
also to give to each of these States, in the first
place, the right of way and portion Of the public
domain, the proceeds OF which are to be applied
W these purposes
BOUNTY LANDS.
The morning hour having Expired, the House re-
solved itself into n Committee of the Whole on the
state Of the Union, Mr.. OLps in the chair, } and
resumed the consideration OF the House bill expla
natory of the Bounty Land act of September %,
1850, and for other purposes.
During the proceedings the Hon. J. F. darcy,
of paralysis ever since the day previous to the com
mcncemcnt Of the present session OF Congress, was
carried into the Hall, seated in chair. The
Speaker, on being informed Of the presence Of MIR.
DARBy, informally resumed his post and shortly
afterwards approached that gentleman. and admi
nisiered TO him the oath to support theConstution
OF the United States This ceremony was witness
cd with much Interest,"
There were several amendments offered TO the
bill under consideration, and debated and, with
out coming to dehntive conclusion, the committee
rose, and
The House adjourned.