The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-08-21

nothing about Now we come 10 the original ptopos
uon We have offered this substitute for the original bill
because we thought would be more accestable 10 The
Senate and wish TO make a very few remarks uoon
the subject OF the bill il stands before u.s. and
Will then hear other senator's for do not intend to say
single word upon the subject further than 10 fully nut
the facts before the Senate for its consideration
The honorable senator from Connecticu, Mr. SMrrHl
was with us yesterday and suppose that he is with
Today IN the desire TO construct this work OF internal
Improvement But II understand correctly his position
1t Is adverse TO the proposition before u.s. He sup.
poses that the State OF Michigan cannot now. under the
constitution as exists IN that State, receive the public
land proposed by the committee be given to construct
this work-tha is to say. the difficulty he has in his
mind IS constitutional difficulty. provision OF the
constitution OF that Stale is not of course proper sub
Ject oil discussion here, its merits and deeriis The
provision oil the constitution which bears upon this sub
jec is that one which has just been read by my friend
upon my right, Mr.. BoRLAND But that provision of
the constitution was intended prevent the State from
running into wild system OF internal Improvements
nave hal some experience upon that subject and we
have reeaed from The position we took in regard
to that matter and we found IL necessary to make
s'ltuona provision to avoid again interesting ourselves
IN works OF that description in a general system.
1t will be observed that the provision of this consu
ton here expressly excludes from its operation the very
case we have before us There has not been man in
Michigan Tor years who has not looked to the outlet OF
Lake Superior OF the points in which the great in
terests OF the country centred, and where it was
necessary as public measure, that the country should
do something to facilitate and improve the navigation be-
tween the upper and the lower lakes With that in the
eyes OF the members of that body who draughted the
cons!itaton-wh that very work in their eyes--they
provided Tor the grant OF land which is contemplated
by the bill now under discussion know, sir that there
are other provisions in State constitution to which the
senator from Connecticut has referred. which make il
impossible for that State legislature issue scrip They
cannot engage in works OF internal Improvement by
socatng themselves with companies They cannot do
in various other methods which have been resorted to
for the purpose Of carrying on works Of that kind But,
above all this, while carefully providing for the interests
OF the State in that regard, and throwing guards and
they had steadily in also the very action which we
now contemplate in this Senate, to appropriate lands
which might be made use of through the agency OF the
State for the purpose OF constructing this work Here
is the provision which have and this very provision
will enable the State legislature, in my humble opinion,
to take that kind OF action which will be necessary in or
der TO construct this work. tL.
The honorable senator from Connecticut also seems
to suppose that there are other difficulties apart from
the constitution which present themselves in this
ter and prevent the lands from becoming available and
he does not hesitate 10 declare that the work
be made under the provisions OF the bill before us,
grant OF land were put at the disposal of the legis
laure. lie supposes, because company cannot be
ganzed that the work cannot therefore be constructed
My idea upon that subject is ths--companes may be
organized under general acts OF the legislature How
far they have proceeded to legisate since the adoption
OF the constitution, which is very recent, unable
to say; but is manifest that under the provisions Of
the constitution, the legislature may pass general acts of
incorporation, under which companies may be formed
But has it come TO this, that work of actual import
ance can be prosecuted in this country unless il be done
II,
pose that that necessary for the purpose of
s,ructng this work. | believe il may be done without
the action OF corporation. suppose il may be done
IN this manner-and this is the only in which
think 1t can be done by the State The State can re-
celve propositions by which il shall be proposed
siuci the work. receiving in payment the lands which
shall be granted 10 the State. know the State cannot
use money from the treasury for this purpose know
they cannot obtain money upon loan by issuing scrip,
OF by any method of that kind. suppose, however,
they can do this they can receive proposals. and if
persons be found who will construct the work upon
such terms as may be agreed upon, receiving the land
IN payment at such prices may be agreed upon then
the work may be prosecuted.
Sir, admit--and that was one reason why we wish
Tor appropriation OF money instead OF landstha there
kind by the mere agency OF land We do not know TO.
day what the next half hour may bring forth with regard
10 the public lands. told that it the intention OF
gentlemen to take up bill OF very great importance with
regard to the disposition of the public lands am told that
the clock itself is watched for the time when this bill
shall be laid down. that another bill OF vast importance
may be taken up and acted upon in this body Sir If
that bill is to be taken up and passed-and fos aught
know it may pass within the next half hour, making
appropriation of land OF three or four times the amount
which this proposes would not give straw for
the passage of this bill, far the construction of
this work is concerned. The moment that we take
up this bill 10 which have referred. and pass it, the
lands will so diminish in value that IL will be mpos.
sibe TO realize enough IRON the sale OF them 10
Bile the State TO construct this work | refer 10 this
for the purpose Of showing that this matter is in doubt
at this moment None OF us know what the result is
to be, and OF us know how quick that result is
to come upon us. Now, sir, il the land could remain
it some years ago, and If the five hundred thou.
sand OF land proposed TO be granted could be made
OF by the State, without any danger OF other
interfering, | think that amount would be suth
cient 10 construct canal but must confess, however
that doubt very much whether with the prospect
before could do should be unwilling 10 say
that feel perfect confidence that the Sate with the
here proposed to be granted could the
canal. Still think IT could. At all events, would say
for my State, that far they have the power TO do
it-so far II could be done-hey would do all they
could TO construct this work, and TO make available the
lands Tor the purpose of securing the OF the
work. II will be remembered that under the provisions
OF this bill il is possible for the State of Michigan
make single dollar ont OF this appropriation II the
land should sell for millions of dollars 1t is not in the
power OF the State TO appropriate one single cent OF that
SUN for her treasury. II the State shall undertake
TO do the work she will do II a member OF this great
conederacy, having interest with the other States OF
this Union in carrying out great anxiety to
work OF national importance completed which at the
time, running through her territory opens up
to her incidental advantages OF no minor importance
The senator from Missouri Mr. ATcHIsos] has moved
amendment TO meet the view to which | have just
now referred in regard TO the difficulty OF constructing
this work. He made motion to amend by increasing
the amount OF land proposed TO be granted in the bill
shall vote for that proposition, and | am very much
obliged TO the senator for making IT, II it shall meet
with the acceptance Of the Senate TO give to this
amount which the senator has proposed, think we shall
be able 90 and the work. III 1t - the
pleasure OF the Senate vote that amount we shall re.
ceve and do the best can. IL IT Is the pleasure OF
the Senate TO vote simply the amount now proposed m
the bl-be SOC, 900 acresi repeat the same, we viii
do the best we can with IT, By the provisions OF the bill,
the State is obliged report here every step taken In
the expenditure, every dollar that IS received and every
a.t.AI l.A., Ill