The daily union., 1852-03-16

Mr. h1ANGUM. made them with all kindness, and
with all due respect.
Mr.. BORLANb--lest his remarks shoald place me
N false position before The country and my party iS
| Mr. MANGUM twas all said with great respect
daughter
far my humble ability will permit me. occupy the po
siton OF David, who was very small man. butyet who,
II asi cause oyerhIeT rev the giant GSsh with ss g SIM n
truth will be successful in overcoming the giant
Goliah OF untruth.
Mr. MANGUM belong 10 tba .'liitIe David party.
The "Goiah party upon the other side OF the cham
| Der. Laughter
Mr. B0RLAND l have been accustomed 10 perform
my part upon fields too small 10 undertake TO stand
up here and assume the position Of leader or lecturer Of
my party am but an humble soldier in the ranks sim
ply rose TO express my opinions not 50 much 10 the Sem
ale as 10 my constituents. to let them know the ground
upon which stand here--that | moi only made them
pledges and promises at home, but would fight the bat
tie here, as far as was able upon those great and
| The question being then taken upon the motion 10
postpone till tomorrow, il was agreed 10. ~t1
GRANT OF LAND TO IOWA.
/ The Senate then resumed. MS in committee of the
whole, the consideration OF Senate bill No. l--beng "a
bill granting the right OF way and making grant OF land
TO aid in the construction OF certain railroads"
| The PRESIDENT stated the question to be upon the
amendment proposed by Mr.. UNDERwooD,
Mr.. CASS spoke nj length behalf of the bill His
speech will be published hereaferl
| Mr.. DOWNS. As il is very desirable that the ques
tlon should be taken tomorrow. and as understand
the subject will 60 on to-day unless the Senate choose
/ to adjourn.
! Several SENATORS $50 on"
| MIR. DOWNS proceeded to speak in advocacy OF the
! bill. His speech will be published hereafer.]
| Mr.. BRODHEAD. 1t is not my purpose to make
plain the votes about to give, the vote is about
be taken upon this bill and the amendment, and the sub
situ'e which prefer II is not at all material whether
proceed now or Tomorrow morning.
/ MIR. JONES, OF Iowa Go on now ss
! Mr.. BRODHEAD Perhaps, as have but little to
say and as the senators from Iowa exceedingly
lous TO have vote taken upon this bill poss
/ BILE, ! had better proceed now.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. would prefer TO adjourn now.
Ii the gentleman will give way will TO adjourn
The question being then taken upon the motion to ad-
| jouTn, ii was not agreed 10.
! Mr. BRODHEAD. II is not my purpose 10 make what
called regular speech AS the votes are about TO be
taken this model and pioneer bill, only design,
briefly, TO explain those | am about to give, and the
substitute am about TO propose The points and propo
stlons which will control my action upon this and the
many other similar bills granting alternate sections OF the
public ands five miles each sie Of the road. (and
doubling the price Of those reained for the purpose of
aiding IN the construction OF railroads, may discuss
| fully hereafter.
Much interest is felt, not only in the new. but in the
old States, in regard to the public lands Now that the
slavery question TO e settled az taton in regard
to the pubic lands has commenced. contest between
the old and the new Safes now threatened, should be
avoided and the questions settled upon just equitable
and constitutional principles
cannot for these alternate section railroad bills
for several reasons, anough would like TO do very
much 10 accommodate the amabe, talented, and accom-
pshed representatives from Iowa, (Messrs DoDGE and
JONES J whose bill is now under consideration. feel
embarrassed, because my heart is side and my
judgment and duty as senator on the other.
Five propositions are now before Congress upon the
subject OF The public lands. Debate has been had upon
all. and bills submitted TO carry some into effect:
L. To grant alternate sections TO aid in lhe conslruc-
tion OF railroads. About twenty millions OF per
annum would thus be taken for years 10 come.
2. To divide them in kind among all the Siaies-the
old States taking much given TO the new ones
| ior purposes OF internal improvement
g. TO give them to actual settlers. About four millions
OF acres per annum would thus be taken Adopt this
plan and continue the issue OF land
lhorzed by law 10 the soldiers, and very little revenue
will be received from the sales of the public lands, and
the expenses OF the land system will be thrown upon the
treasury.
4. To cede them TO the States in which they lie
| 5. TO graduate and reduce the price
These aernate-sec bills do not commend them
selves TO my favorable consideration, because
l. They connect this government with system OF in.
terna improvements which, IN my opinion, involves
necessity for laudnous construction of the consu-
ton volave OF lis principles. They provide for an in
erna improvement system in disguise. II is oblique
2, These bills If passed, will derange an admirable
land system, which has worked so well for many years
past, aud bring numerous applicants here for years
come They are local and partial in thel- character and
will change the course OF settlement from part OF
State 10 another They do not provide general "rues
| and regulations"
s. Tney the principle that this government can
aid works OF internal Improvement in States where there
are public lands, and cannot where there none.
q. In point oil TACT they provide for partial dsrbu-
on oil The public lands injurious 10 the old Sales and
portions OF the new through which the roads do
not pass BESIDES, they facilitate the creation OF ra
monopolies; Tor The grants made Staes
as IN The case OF The illinois grant, they forthwith
transferred TO railroad companies.
D. The public lands have cost this government, COM
posed oil all the States large sums OF money, and large
sums have been received therefor The records show
that we have received nearly much have paid
out provided that the Indian annuilies, and Indian de-
parment, and lndaa wars not taken consdea-
uon. Tbs account is pretty nearly balanced and there
remain vast quantities unsold 1t is estimated that
have about fourteen hundred millions OF acres including
the Indian territory, undsposed Of In view oil the in
creasng strength OF The western country and OF the fac,
that many OF lands have been long time in market,
and The States cannot tax them, and in view OF many
other considerations may be, and think 1t is, proper
TO graduate and reduce The price thereof not only
ual settlers, but generally.
o. Graduate aud reduce the price Of the public lands,
and leave the construction OF railroads. &c. the old
States to Stale and ind vdual enterprise This plan is
simple furnishes cheap homes TO poor settlers, pro-
notes good feeling among the States. abaes the tendency
to cenallzaton, prevents monopoes, and is free from
constitutional objections Our land system presents
other questions besides those OF money and finance.
These are some OF the large objections which have
TO these alternate section bills They decided, radi
cal and constitutional and such in my judgment out
weigh any considerations of public policy which may be
urged in their behalf
My objections il good, equally decisive against
the amendment OF the honorable from kenucky.
[Mr UNDERwooD.l That provides for equal grant to
the old States ior purposes OF internal Improvement
II grant cannot be properly made 10 one OF the land
States or purposes OF internal mpr provement. IL follows
that il be made 10 the old States say nothing