The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1852-03-09
speech Of Hon. Mr. Dawson, Of Georgia,


speech Of Hon. Mr.. Dawson, Of Georgia,
On The Blu granting Lands 10 Ioloa IN aid q
certain Railroads in that Stale t; Delivered in
lie Senate Of The United States March l, 1852
[coNcLuDED.
But said little while ago something about
the river Dos Moines and, mark me, Keokuk
is the point where the great Des Moines river
enters the Mississippi. That river runs nearly
at an angle Of 45 degrees through the State of
Iowa, aud Iowa City is between the Des M Dimes
and Mississippi rivers The Des Mones river
is one Of the finest navigable streams in all the
West Now, has the government done any
thing for the Des Moines river! Why is it
that this little spot of earth between the Des
Moines and Mississippi rivers should be calling
upon the government for appropriations more
extensive and more advantageous than any
other portion of our country not even except
ing our larger cities, with all their capital and
all their suburbs! Why is it so! 1t is alto
gether owing to the energy, Skill and fine
representative powers of the representatives OF
Iowa. And it is with the greatest reluctance
that can get myself to investigate any repre-
sentation that they have made. But | have
found that, especially when we wish to advance
our own interests and our own people, we had
better be watchful Now let me read from an
act passed in 1886 to show what has been done
for the Des Moines river. Anybody would
have thought that what was done for this stream
in 1876 would have been enough--it was more
than has been done for any other three States.
This act was passed in 1876:
"Be Henacted DC, That there be, and hereby
s, granted to the territory of Iowa, for the pur-
pose of aiding said territory to improve the
navigation of the Des Mones river from its
mouth to the Racoon Fork $50 called) in said
| territory, one equal moiety, in alternate sec
| tons, of the public lands (remaining unsold,
and not otherwise disposed of, encumbered or
| appropriately in strip five miles in width on
each side of said river, to be selected within
said territory ty an agent or agents to be ap-
| pointed by the governor thereof, subject to the
approval Of the Secretary of the Treasury of
the United States"
| And then 1t goes on to say that if the sec
| tons there are taken up, they are to go else
where and select their lands. What was the
| ground upon which the grant in the act was
made! 1t was to improve the navigation of the
| Des Moines silver. And how many acres were
granted by that act? Some 400 900 acres
! Now, add that to what is proposed to be given
| by this bill, and you have over 100000 of
acres for the State of Iowa alone. put down
the estimate in regard to the bill before US, ac-
| cording to the estimate of the senators from
Iowa themselves--viz 300 900 acres, which,
added o the l,400 900 acres given by the act of
1916, make 100000 acres of land given to the
State of Iowa-and that, too, within the narrow
strip of land between the Des Moines and Mis-
sissippi rivers, extending from the Mississippi
river as far back as Iowa City. Where do the o
lands come from? Now, look at the lands upon
tho Des Moines river. There are hundreds of
acres of land in Michigan and Illinois that are
worth 800 an acre. Here, when Iowa was in
| her territorial character, we gave her these
! 400 900 acres of land in the valley of the Des
Moines, and they will this day average $40 per
acre making $l4,0O0000 if the lands were
held to this day. These lands were granted to I'M
prove the Dos Moines river, and they were taken
in 1886 and yet am charged with iliberality
and injustice to the new States? Why, the re-
representatives. Of the old States should rather be
charged with illiberality and injustice to their
own constituents in permitting the contents of
the treasury to be thus taken and thus distri-
buted, and thus improperly directed. But, sir,
| have no unkindness toward Iowa in this mat
ter-none at all, sir. am merely speaking the
truth; and if l. am wrong in any assertion which
| | make, hope to be corrected and shown what
! is right. | do not refer to Iowa out Of any un.
1
principle by reference to that State, as the bill
before us proposes grant to her. | look at the
great whole. lam opposed to this principle Of
exhausting the public treasure of the country,
whether it is in land or money, for local or sec.
tional objects. | want conjont action. AL.
most every new State is, day after day. calling
for these public lands, by mere petitions, whether
they have any incorporation or not--whether the
| legislature has ever asked for the appropriation
or not and, strange to tell, often have we APP
propriated millions of acres without even legis-
lative resolve, or an act passed asking for such
appropriation. But senator will rise in this
house, and, guided by his own Imagination, will
ask for portion Of these Landslide cannot
tell for what purpose-and the appropriation
is made. do not now refer to Iowa.
| will go on, ard speak of Illinois nov, sir
Let me refer here to the amount given to Hi.
nois but lately, (and ] am sorry to observe
thatthe colleague of my friend there Mr. DoU.
GLAs] is not in his seat) But, sir, beg now
to present this part of the subject You recoI
lect, strand many others of the senators who
were also here when the Illinois railroad bill
was passed will recollect-that it was stated tc
be 400 miles long--from Chicago to Cairo; il
other words, from the further northern bounda
nv of Illinois down to its utmost southern limit
The lands were propriated--alternate sec
lions, five or ten miles deep--to build thi,
great railroad. opposed it then upon principle
| proc aimed its injustice; but was not aidec
and sustained even by my friends from the ole
e States saw that the rights of the old States
would be trampled upon by such grants to
railroads yet in embryo. But it turned GU
that the road was to be 600 miles in length, anC
: 100000 of acres were granted. | will show
: presently how it is to be made road to tn,
White House for the senator who obtained tn,
grant, and that h is travelling there now.
u Mr.. JONES, of Iowa. Are you not willing
y that he should be elected?
O Mr.. DAWSON. Yes, sir; but | do no
wish to pay for his platform. Laughter
9 Now, sir, let us leave that out and come t.
what have in view. have got the Statement
? before me showing the lands granted under tn,
a Illinois bill; and call upon senators and upor
;, the country to look at it--look it in the face
and see whether We can pass these bills and dc
u y justice to all parts of this great confederacy
u Here it is. The length of the road from Chca
II go--I wish to be corrected if any senator upoI
\