The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-23

Mr.. ATCHISoN. / have heard ii estimated at twenty
hve millions as the minimum. One gentleman says fifty
Mr. HUNTER For the patents that have already
oesa issued under the land warrants
Mr. AICHlSON. No, sir. refer 10 the amount that
VIII be necessary satisfy all the land warrants that have
been granted
Mi. HUNTER. thought the gentleman referred to
the amount which has already been taken up by land
warrants. which Is about two and half millions do
not know what amount will be necessary for all.
Mr.. ATCHISON have heard il estimated by some
al twenty five millions OF acres and gentleman says
fifty millions. Now, who obtains these public lands /
For whose benefit are they 10 resu' Why, mos concu
syely ninety nine out OF every hundred will 20
the citizens OF the old States of this Union under the law
we passed yesterday Yetmhen ask virtually moth
ing but the right q way through the public lands The
to take charge OF the public treasury, admit. aud who
ls now, suppose, acting In discharge OF that duy--is
now attempting to throw obstacles in the way, and TO
postpone the action Of the Senate upon this bill This
bill contains very little alteration amendment upon
other bills that have already passed this body believe
THIS very bill passed the Senate at the last session Them
why deliberate furher' Why move to postpone this
matter when The principle contained in il has already
been discussed year after year for the last ten years.
understand the senator from Virginia mr. HuETERl as
making the motion TO postpone that the Senate may have
an opportunity OF looking into this bill and the principles
contained in it, There is nothing new in it, This very
bill with most if not all. OF the principles contained in
it, has been discussed time and time again. do trust
that the Senate will act, and act promptly upon this
matter.
is important il you intend to make this grant Of land
at a-or donation, some gentlemen call it-tba It be
done speedily, because, the senator from Iowa Mr..
JoNEs] has suggested these land warrants falling into
the hands of speculaios, they WILL matter of course
search out these public lands that will be the most
valuable. and upon which the greatest speculatons
can be made. They have, already gone high DIP
upon the proposed railroad routes in the new
States Such has been the in The State of
Missouri We have two routes proposed in the State
of Missourione from the city OF ST. Louis the west
ern boundary line OF the State the south side OF the
9ndfh hot tnpn Ham thol
to the town OF st Joseph the north side OF that river
and understand that 100000 more has been received
this last Tor The lands upon the line of the northern
railroad than has been received for any previous year be-
fore Now these land warrants being made assignable,
thousands OF them will fall into the hands OF SPECTATORS
and the first lands that will be located under them will
IN the new States Il s them important that these bills
should be passed promptly and these alternate sections
be granted TO these railroads. and be taken out Of the
and have learned from the Commissioner Of the General
Land Office. that 100000 money has been received
in the land office the north side OF the Missouri river
within year than has been received for any previous
year for the last ten years.
tust that il the Senate intends TO pass these bills
they will act upon this one and pass il before
Mr., DAVIS. understand the senator from Iowa tMr
DoDGE] to say that this was 'model bill" and the SEN
a,or from Missouri Mr.. AToHIsoSl repeated that OBJ
of this sort is to be guide. Now, think this
very good reason why 1t should be made exactly right
before IL is passed.
Now. sse for the purpose of putting the inquiry to
some honorable gentleman who IS able to inform me-
the chairman OF the Committee Public Lands, or
one ese-whs,her heard the bill read Alright. when
heard that in laying the road, they authorized
TO lay out 100 feet each side OF the track making the
road 200 feet in width
Mr. JONES, OF Iowa. That is couect
Mr. DAVIS. The gentleman from Iowa Mr.. JoNEsl
answers that that is the Now, let look little
at the effect Of that, and what will OF it. Now
all experience has shown that SO feet is all that is
saFy pt thara tc daan rufor pfaap sn-
bankment. This bill gives 200 feet and there will then
be 100 feet and that is not needed for the purposes
Of the road For all purposes Of track-evsn OF a
double ackS0 feet is deemed with to be all that is
necessary Then in front OF the land granted to the
State, and in front Of the land owned by the United
States there will be strP IN the private ownership OF
owned by the State II she makes the road herself II
the State makes the road she will have this strip OF
land in front Of the land owned by the United States dis
posabe for other purposes than that OF the road IL the
State dlsposes of its right TO make this road to
pany, believe the State OF illinois has done, then
the company will land in front OF the land belonging
10 the State and also in front OF the land belonging 10
the United States Is not that the resul II seems TO
me- Now. think the amount OF land for the use OF the
road should be limited at least TO much necessary
Tor public travel and you should not go beyond that un
less you mean TO get yourselves into this kind Of diff
Guilty which have endeavored 10 point out. The 200
feet is not necessary There may be some places where
that amount would be necessary, but they would
but occasionally think you will otherwise get your.
selves into embarrassment. throw these suggestions
out simply for the consideration OF gentlemen, II they
to make bill which is 10 be our guide hereafter.
Mr.. SMITH. My friend. the senator from Massachu-
seits Mr. DAVIS has entirely mstake this provision oil
the bill IL does not grant the land for 200 feet in width
to the road throughout lis entire length. but merely
gives right OF way for that space The land is not
vested in the State: il is mere right OF wayihe incor-
porea right OF way but not grant OF the land itself
merely gives the State the privilege OF making the road
anywhere within the breadth OF 200 feet for the whole
length OF the road that the State may shift the road
from time TO time, as may be deemed necessary
The right OF way enjoyed will be the breadth OF
the track, and much adjoining land may be neces
sary 10 occupy for embankments excavations OF any
thing OF that sort In this respect believe the bill con-
forms the bill passed for the State OF Illinois II n
conformity with The provisions OF every bill passed
at the las, Congress and have passed several do
not how many. was then member oil the Committee
on Public Lands, and concurred with the majority OF
that committee. 10 fact. think the committee
imous upon ths sublect-in reporting all these bills
10 the Senate Therefore, Mr.. President, / appre-
hend that there is difficulty in regard to this matter
Iii mere grant OF right OF wsy-an incorporea right
After what has been the decision of the Senate on this
subject for several years pasceuany al both sessions
OF the last Congress, and believe at the preceding ses
session, after there had been most empba,ica expires
sion OF opinion by large majority OF this body in favor
OF this policy did not suppose that should have occa
sion to address the Senate upon this subject again.
But say now, as | have said before, that both a.
member OF the House oi Representatives and member
OF this body, there votes that have given with
satisfaction than those according the States
of this Union that sort OF cooperation and assistance
which is comprised in bills of this character. We
have not surrendered one dollar from the treasury for
which have not obtained an equivalent Tor by these
have enhanced the value OF the reserved
lands; and when give these votes Mr. President be-
th.