The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1852-06-24

Of these very roads, it will show tina, the very
ANAL sum of three hundred and odd dollars, pro-
posed to be appropriated 10 each nile IN 'he Gen.
s,ruc,ion Of these roads. would construct but the
poorest roads which could be imagined Tor travel
ing IN u new Territory. IL IL, Then, merely tne
onening of these communications which may be
deemed necessary for Tire purpose Of afordng The
denizens Of the West an opportunity OF setting
upon their new lands, and aitordlug them an OPP
nor,uuity ii becoming citizens of State that VIII
b.. and by contribute money 10 the treasury OF
their State, through lis cultivation and accumula-
ted wealth, which we have aid, i them IN OBJ
taininy and which can Is subsequently appropr-
ated in the construction of far better roads aud
other Improvements.
Dir. VENABLE VIII nv friend allow me 10
ssk him a question, | should like 10 know 1t we
consider i, our duty, after giving land 10 The land
less. TO take money Out OF the Treasury and then
make road to the land!
Mr. SEYMOUR am coming to that iden-
teal point. say, ihen, that - Tar as there has
been any legislation upon the subject. il has been
uniform, These roads, if ihey have been military
roads, have been constructed by the Government.
lfthey have been roads 10 AID ihe pioneer Ia
reaching these settlements, they have been con-
siruc,ed BY means OF the Legislation of Congress.
[. is sad--and my colleague made the remark IN
the speech which he addressed TO The counntiee
some time since ami the question il now repent
ed by the gen,lemln from North Carolina, 'lr.
Venahle, that we have arrived al a point IN
tho legislation of Ibis country when the policy OF
the Government upon THIS subject ought Ia be
changed; and tina, having voted for law which
allows to any individual who Is the head of a
findy TO go and take one hundred and sixty acres
of the pubic land. and make a Homestead OF Il
without paying dollar 10 The Government for Il,
we should now no longer exercise 'bis care and
supervision, and appropriate these moneys FOR the
purpose Of aiding the settlement at the West,
which we have heretofore done. In my bunib lc
opinion. there are still stronger reasons why we
should do it. IL The policy Is good one--and
think Il is, hi:h advocated, and voted for upon
this fcor, 10 give Ia these sellers homestead in
that country, then II Ia surely good one also IL
provide ,hs,n with the means OF attaiu!ng tina,
point, where they can occupy the land, where
they can become good citizens, ana where they
can increase 10y their industry the accumulation &.
wealth which we hope vii 0w from such Il
stream OF ndepend -nt agficulturists Who viii 50
greatly increase The wealth of the whole country.
That is par, Of the great system which we have
adopted IN The pre- caption laws, and IN all 81
those various facilities which we have a.orded for
the rapid settlement or the West. The construc-
ton Of these roads, i seems 10 me, tuIms one in
port,nt part of that system, and should not, and
will moi, be abandoned by the Government.
With regard 10 Ike amount IF appropriations asked
for here, thiRk, that inasnuch as there are up
propriations still unexpended, az | understand
from the honorable chairman of the Committee
On Ways and Means, The amount of some SO, >
600, the amount whoa orig iDaliy conemp'a-
ted TO be granted, should not be granted In fall
l understand from The honorable member from
Minnesots. Mr. sibsyl tha, he does no, ask il
that he has himself sired that these appro-
priaiions should be reduced which were originally
contemplated, FOX the very reason that this bal
ance, the sum Of 800 900, already stands to the
credit Of these works II this is So, then il seems
lie me the measure i. pu, lnto the most acceptable
shape possible: and | cannot conceive 81! any rea.
son whatever, unless mean to proclaim 10 the
country now ii change Of Inc entire policy Of the
country IN reference 10 the settlement Of Western
territories rs Il reason by we viii not give 10 The
Territory Of Minnesota the sum that we have
given 10 other Territories.
Mr. STU ART. | move that the committee
rise, with view OF passing resolution to ter
inmate this debate.
The question was then taken, and ii vas agreed
TO.