Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1852-09-09
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

ueTHteWeH OF me Nfldte,
and House of Representatives.:
A just regard for the public interest, has
impressed upon me the necessity Of called
session of the General Assembly, for the,
the transaction of legislative business.
1t is source of congratulation, that the
representatives of the people have met I'M
der auspices so favorable to the public inter-
ests. 1t will constitute new era in the
history of Missouri legislation, and | trust,
it may be madeto cmbellish the pages of its
future history.
The question of internal improvement is
one upon which the minds Of the people
have been efficiently engaged; and the re-
suit has demonstrated that public sentiment
has given proper direction TO the subject
leaving nothing now to be done but
prompt and decisive action on the part of
their representatives, in order to secure a
proper development of our internal resour-
ces and hidden wealth.
assure the legislature of my cordial CO.
operation in everything which may have a
tendency to bring about these desirable re-
suits.
The reasons which influence me in call
ing you together at this time, were briefly
alluded to in my proclamation, and they re-
fer to subjects, of Legislation 10 which it is
my design to call your attention at the pre-
sent session.
Deeply sensible of the great interest
manifested to sec the works Of internal i'm
provcmcnt progress, and for the completion
of which a most liberal grant of land has
made by the general government, | did not
allow myself 10 doubt the propriety of Civ
ing an early opportunity for enacting such
laws as may be necessary, eilectually and
economically TO improve and apply the
grant of lands thus made.
1t remains now for the General Assem-
bly, to take such legislative action as will Sc
cure the proper application Of the funds or
proceeds arising from the sale of these
lands to the objects and purposes intended
by the grant, and at the same time TO guard
against the contingency of contracts with ir-
responsible individuals or companies, by
which the means for the construction of the
roads might be squandered, and blight cast
upon the just expectations of us ALL for a
speedy completion of these works of inter-
nal improvement.
Missouri, to aid the construction of the Pa
cific Railroad and the Hannibal and st. Jo-
scph Railroad, is of character, before it can
be made available, TO require Legislative ac-
ton, and 10 this subject invite your atten-
ton.
The grant of these lands renders it GER
tain that the road will be made, and it only
remains TO enact such laws for their dispo-
sition, as will offer liberal inducements to
capitalists and companies willing TO under
take them, and upon terms which will in
sure the completion of the roads.
1t is estimated that the lands granted
amount to near million of acres TO each
road, and it is believed, go far towards their
completion, if properly and judiciously dis
posed of.
By the terms Of the act of Congress, max
ing the grant OF these lands, a copy of the To-
cation OF the roads is required TO be for
warded to the local land offices, and the
land Office department at Washington, with
in ninety days after the completion of the
same. do not understand that this prov-
sion contempates any interference by the
legislature with the company in the location
location, TO have the proper evidences of the
grant made subject TO the disposal Of the
Legislature, and the proceeds TO be applied
exclusively to the purposes specified in the
grant
1t is not my intention TO press any opin,
ion upon the legislature, as TO the most APP
propriate disposition to be made of these
lands, but only to make a few suggestions
appropriate 10 the subject, and which | trust
will present no barrier TO proper DISPOSE
ton of the question.
1t is an undeniable proposition that these
lands do not belong to the respective rail
road companies, but are vested in the State
{ of Missouri, and to ''be subject to the dis.
posol of the legislature"
The policy of investing the proceeds o
these lands as stock in the respective roads
and 10 this extent, the State to become
stakeholder, may be suggested for your con-
sideraton. / doubt the policy of such in
vestment, and suggest, as the object anC
wish OF all must be the most speedy com
) pletion Of these important works Of interna
: improvement, that by no act of legislation
shall the State be made TO engage in then
in any direct manner whatever, but that til,
benefits, pecuniarily, TO be derived to th'
State, shall be Of an indirect character, sucl
, as may result from the disposition of thes'
2 lands 10 the respective companies, and up
on such terms as will hold out proper in
ducements TO capitalists to engage in tn
completion of the roads at the earliest prac
ticable period.
0 BY the terms of the grant, the lands alon,
= twenty miles of the road, may be dispose,
. of first, and when finished for this distance
steps are to be taken for the sale of land
}, for another twenty miles further of the road
1 and so on, until it is completed.
n If the lands are therefore sold by the com
{ pany, in order TO raise means TO pay for tn
work as it progresses, the sales must neces
sarily be for only twenty miles along tn
road at time; and as the road progresses
e subsequent conveyances are to be made up
: on terms contemplated by the grant.
!. This view of the subject, it is believed
will not prevent the enactment of q law