The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-02
The Public Lands.


We insert communication designed to meet
the eyes Of members Of Congress, with view
Of inducing them to take SOME steps before the
close of the session in relation to the proposed
grants of land to aid In the construction Of
western railroads. Mr.. TALLMADaE, the wri
ter, is known to be actively engaged in the
promotion of these undertakings, and his pro-
position though perhaps indefensible in ordi-
nary crcumstances-is justified BY the anoma-
lous condition Of the public business.
:. During the present session, as well as in the
last, Congress has affirmed its readiness to
grant portions Of the public domain, to facili-
tate the construction Of railroads through the
newer districts of our country. The principle
has been distinctly recognised in the case of
Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas; and expert
ence, so far as it has been obtained, has Demon
strated the wisdom of the course pursued, not
only because it has hastened the settlement Of
large districts, but because it has impaired
high market value to public property that
had previously been regarded as all but value
less. The same causes, however, that have
clogged the wheels Of general business have
prevented the more general application of the
principle involved in these grants While Hi
nois, Missouri, Arkansas, and Michigan have
been favored-three in reference to railroads;
and the fourth in reference to the Sault Ste.
Marie Canal-Wisconsin, Iowa, and other
States possessing equal claims upon the con-
sideration of Congress, have been practical
ly disregarded. We do not say that their ap-
plications have been discarded, for bills have
progressed to certain stages in favor of at least
two or three of the most material projects but
these bills have been virtually buried under
the avalanche Of debates, and rules, and mo-
tions to adjourn, and points Of order which
seem likely to constitute the distinctive feature
Of the expiring session. Measures passed by
the Senate are hidden under that impenetrable
mystery, the Speaker IS table; measures adopt
ed by the House languish forgotten amid the
ponderous controversies of the Senate. The
land bills suffer amongst the rest. Mr.. Ben
NErr's bill, to do partial justice to the older
States, is well-nigh Invested Of its vitality
while bills calculated to foster the growing in
terest of the West are killed outright.
Here is an emergency, then, to meet which
Mr.. TALLMADGE has prepared his circular. He
suggests that Congress, albeit unable now to
decide the final fate of the projects in question,
shall at least secure for them fair field for
next December. He asks that, as the routes of
the Maine lines of railroad contemplated are
definitely fixed, Congress shall set aside the
alternate tracts proposed to be reserved, leaving
their actual application to be determined by the
next Congress. Otherwise, it is argued, the
proposed routes will be the fields chosen for
the operations of wholesale spectators, who
will retard, if they do not positively annul,
the construction of the desiderated roads.
The suggestion and the statements advanced
in its behalf merit attention. We are informed
that the proposal is concurred in, substantially,
by the Senate Committee on Public Lands.