The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-02

dersand that the effect of the homestead bill will be to
appropriate the public lands the line OF this railroad
TO appropriate il 10 the of settlers II am mistaken
IN It's provisions, then am wrong in my concusons' ahq
The honorable senator from Arkansas Is right bul II
not mistaken il is possible that he can be rght
because the moment this bill shall have passed. lhe
homestead bll) and the lands shall have been secured @
to settlers, they will become private property and Con-
gress will longer have any authority TO appropriate
them for railroad purposes
MIR. BORLAND. Mr.. President, the senator knows
the provisions OF the homestead bill without my telling
them to him; but does he suppose that all the land IN
Arkansas will be taken up under that bill! Does any
suppose Does he suppose that more than nall M
OF it will be taken Does he not know that IN tue Dill
which has passed granting lands TO Arkansas-taklng
that for what il may be worth, and do not consider 1t
worth much, as said the other daythe lands along lhe
pancy by any one Does he not know that this home
stead bill exempts those lands from settlement which
have been 80 secured entirely!
ML BoRLAND. To the which passed this body
on the 5th of February:
construction of a railroad from Cairo 10 Fulton j!
Mr.. BORLAND. That bill also provides for other
railroads do not think il will be worth very much to
Arkansas but still, far does affect The Pacific
railroad if the lands along the routes OF the roads have
been taken by settlers, equivalent lands are permitted to
be taken in the whole range OF the Stae provided there
them based upon these facts this that the passage OF
the homestead bill will enhance the value of all lands
not taken up in the State as 10 increase them more than
four fold and therefore il will confer on the State, no
matter where she may select her lands our.old her pres
ent ability to make the railroad from any grants which
may be made.
on the ground that the bill is yet TO pass which would
those lands for The building OF railroad from
the Mississippi 10 the western boundary OF the State OF
Arkansas, TO connect with route which may be
designated Tor this road the Territories OF the
United States; and that it could not have that if the
lands should have been before that time granted by the
how far.
that the passage of The homestead bill would defeat the
operation OF any bill which might pass in relation TO
The construction OF this great national road under The
expectation that such a road could be built by an appo-
priation of public lands alone If it be true that AIkan
sas stands upon equal footing with Missouri, was
not well informed upon the subject. ! understand that
Missouri had not only her grants made but the road
located. apd the construction OF il rapidly advancing
lido not understand that the road in Arkansas has vet
been located, much less in the OF construction
and understand, that unless Congress shall do some
thing than grant the lands the line of the road
no company or association of private capitalists will
detlake 10 build railroad from the Mississippi to the
senator MIR. BoRLAHD] sunenders the provisions OF
the bill which the means OF building the road
within his own State, he will never have an eqaa
chance OF getting the decision of the President in favor
OF some medium-some middle route, connecting the
valley of the Mississippi with the Paciic-and the pros
Pect OF all routes is lost forever so far as this road is
concerned. If you allow the homestead bill to PASS
anecedently 10 bill for the construction OF that rail-
road the prospect is gonehe prospect for his section
and for mine; and you might Just as well succumb at
once, and say that the road should be built IRON San
Francisco TO ST. Louis, or further norn than st. Louis
have said that | want road, and do not care TO
waste time in contention here as TO where shall run
On Saturday evening, gentlemen interested in particular
section OF the Union--whether with or without concert,
with without reference to sectional interests or
determination 10 secure an eastern terminus OF that road
at particular point on the western borders-had an
amendment adopted under which do not choose TO sub
init quietly. If the honorable senators who have
argued to-day ha, the amendment does not muate the
Kill 40 I.1K hath fha
honorable senators from Illinois have argued-why do
they not come forward and try TO pass the bill which
they allege has gained strength by the adoption OF the
amendment They have said that the amendment
adopted Saturday gave increased strength TO the bill
II why will they not give us now few hours to per-
feet and carry 1t forward II the bill has been strength
ened by the amendment let us see manifestations OF It.
lie, US see whether these gentlemen and the honorable
gentleman from Michigan MIR CAssl really friends
TO the bill or not they are, call upon them to move
Tor taking 1t up this morning preference TO the home
stead bill any other bill. | wish my friends from the
extreme northwest, well in the southwest 10 know
that this is the only opportunity they will ever have OF
securing equal chance for their interests the decis
ion OF this great questonwhere this road is TO run. or
where the eastern terminus to be established For the
reasons have suggested, consider this discussion per-
iecty in order and hope the railroad bill will be taken
up and disposed Of wha ever may be its fate
a Mr.. BORLAND. | hope may be permitted TO say
word or two IN response TO the senator from Tennessee
agree with him IN regard 10 the amendment which was
adopted on Saturday. With him voted against it, and
when the bill comes up intend TO give my reasons why
voted against it, shall not go into them now. But
SIR, with regard 10 the operation OF the homestead bill
and its taking the amount which would be needed for the
making OF the road desire 10 call the attention OF the
senator again, and more poinedy, TO the operation OF it.
The homestead bill proposes TO give to andless per-
sons OF the United States who will actually settle upon
the land the right 10 settle upon any land but upon
land which. when they 90 10 make the settlement shall
be subject entry al private sale That is the operation
Of the bill 1t does hold every of the land sub
jec to be so settled, no matter what laws we pass this
session or the next prior 10 the settlement III they be
not actually taken up under law, at the time when the
individual seeks 10 settle hem they may be taken by
him but il there be any law passed subsequent to the
homestead BILL and prior TO the actual settlement, the
land is removed from the operation OF the homestead
bill But with regard TO the bill which passed the 5th
Of the month, of which spoke on Friday morning, TO
which stated so many objections, and which stated
did not consider worth much to my State all the land do
mated by II to the State will be exempted from the opera
ton OF The homestead bill.
The Commissioner OF the General Land Office is now
engaged IN laying Oft. upon conlecural lines, the land
which will probably be required under the operation Of
that law and those lands will be set apart by that de-
parment for II, and the road, should il be built will
not be under the operation of the homestead bill a, all
because the lands will not be subject to entry at private
sale. With regard TO the Pacific railroad bill,
may relate to the operation OF the home
stead BILL repeat the general reason that 1 stated
Just now, that it provides that the State in Sc.
six thirteen thirty miles, but shall 20 throughout
the State ii they do not find the lands along the road
and the homestead bill, in any range OF possibility,
not subject all the lands 10 actual seemen--coud not
subject than half. As said, the settlements that
will be made will leave more than enough, especially
where its value il enhanced by the homestead bill, to
satisfy the grants which may be made to the States for
the Pacific railroad This IL no matter of conjecture.
The homestead bill cannot take all the lands, for il the
senator wf look at its terms he will see that y only
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