The southern press., 1852-02-26
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
tuesday,, FtU, z4i I002.
LANDS FOR RAILROADS IN MISSOURI.

LANDS FOR RAILROADS IN MISSOURI.
The Speaker announced that the first business
in order was the consideration of the bill granting
the right of way, and portion of the public lands,
to the State Of Missouri, for the benefit of two
railroads therein.
Mr.. ORR, of South Carolina, who was entitled
TO the floor, said that, having examined the bill
with great and attention, and come to the con-
clusion to vote for it, he would proceed to give his
reasons therefor
First, he would consider the constitutonality Of
| the bill. Has Congress the power to make these
grants? He believed that it had and TO support
this position, he read that portion OF the Consti
tuition authorizing Congress to make all needfu
rules and regulations respecting the territories and
other property belonging to the United States. He
further cited the remarks of Mr.. Calhoun, made
in the Senate in l846, on bill making donation Of
public lands to the State Of Illinois, in which he adj
vocated the power of Congress TO give aid to States
for internal improvements. Mr.. O. then voted for
that BILL and subsequently, declared that he had sell
dom given vote with greater satisfaction. Gen
CAss had also supported the same principle, con-
tending that although the general government had
no right to levy taxes to raise money for internal
improvements, it clearly had to dispose, to States,
of its proprietary interest in public lands, which
such improvements would benefit. Mr.. O. replied
to the gentleman from Tennessee, (Mr. JoNEs,)
who had objected to the bill as anti Democratic
If it was the same principle had received the votes
|
| DOUGLAS, HoUsToN and others. The present bill
was more favorable to the government than one
| for the benefit. Of the State of Mississippi, for
which they rave voted. Mr.. o. concluded by
reviewing the benefits which the construction of
the proposed railroads would bring to the govern
ment in increasing the value Of the public lands,
and also to farmers and cotton planters IN afford
ing them markets for their produce. lie hoped
the bill would be acted without going to the
Committee of the Whole.
Mr.. WEIGH sent an amendment to the clerk 8
desk to be read, which he stated that he would
introduce at the proper time, as follows
"That for the purpose of aiding In the construc-
ton of a railroad from the said city of ST. Louis,
by way of Cincinnati, and through the county OF
/ Washington, in the State of Ohio, to Three
Forks, or some other point in the State of Vir-
ginia on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, there
be, and is hereby granted TO each OF the States
| through which the same shall be located, to wit:
the States Of Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Virginia,
the right of way for the same, and also six sec
tons Of the public lands belonging to the United
States, and not otherwise appropriated or pledged
for each and every mile in length of said road,
which shall be located in each of said States re-
spectively, to be selected by the governor of such
State subject to the appeal of the Secretary OF the
Interior, and to be disposed Of by the legislatures
respectively Of each Of said States, as provided
in the 5th and 7th sections Of this act; and the
proceeds to be applied to aid in the construction
of said road from ST Louis, in the section men,
toned which road, as well as the dividends ac-
cruing to said States on stock therein, shall be
subject to all the provisions aforesaid, respecting
said roads through the State Of Missouri"
Mr. WEIGH was proceeding TO support his
amendment, when he gave way to
Mr.. FOWLER, of Massachusetts, who said
that at the proper time he should move amend.
inert, substantially the same that introduced by
Mr.. UNDERWOOD to the Iowa bill in the Senate,
which was read. II grants to the States named
below, for purposes of education and internal i'm
provement, the following number of acres of pub
!, lie lands:
Maine, So, 040; New Hampshire, 81, 760; Yer.
mont, 313,920; Massachusetts,, 994,240; Rhode
| Island LAT $50; Connecticut, sc, $50; New York,
1907, $50; New Jersey, 4S9 $50; Pennsylvania
2,3ll $3.50; Delaware, 90,560; Maryland, SAG, $50
Virginia. 1921 $50; North Carolina, 1853 28O; s.
Carolina, 5l4,240; Georgia, 1853 ,260; Tennessee,
SOC, $50; Kentucky, 1877 $40.
Mr.. WEIGH concluded his remarks.
/ BILL EXPLANATORY OF THE BoUSDY LAND ACT.
| Mr.. HOUSTON moved that the House go into
Committee Of the Whole on the state OF the Union,
which was agreed to, and the committee took up
the bill explanatory Of the bounty land act passed
September %, 1850, (Mr. oLDs, Of Ohio, in the
| chair.)
| TIE ILL SSas dsba.sd frer. o s'sl eek unit il this
1 hour NJ adiournuent