Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-18

100000
Total to II States,
29.25O.OoO

The old States having 1875 members of Con-
gress and Senators, lands given in the proper
ton of 10000 acres to each member and Sena-
tors to the new States, having 81 members and
Senators, in the proportion OF $4,000 acres to
each. And this is the measure that is to equalize
the benefits of the public lands among all the
States! The new States having one-third of the
members of Congress, in addition to the appropri-
atoms already made for their benefit, will receive
by it more than the old States with twice their
representation. If the new States have already
received too large a share of the benefits of the
public lands this bill will but add to the injustice.
In the hands of the States, these lands would be
squandered, yield next to nothing. The whole
amount appropriated may be set down in round
numbers at 60,O0O,OOO acres. According to cor
rect estimates, it appears that the sales of land by
the General Government average 100000 acres
annually At this rate it would require tharty-tVo
years to absorb the lands granted to the States by
the BILL Suppose it to be passed, what would
happenF! The land States are deeply interested in
Internal Improvement schemes and would throw
their 81 millions in the market at once. The old
States would receive land warrants for their share,
and they would WANT to realize. Sixty millions
of acres of land would be thrown into the market
at once, which would fall into the hands Of spec
ulators and capitalists at a more nominal price
not over ten cents per acre. And at least one-halt
of this sum would be spent by the States in the
salaries of agents to make sales, &c. The million
six hundred and fifty thousand acres granted to
North Carolina, might possibly bring into the State
Treasury one hundred thousand dollars, small
sum indeed to induce the people of the State to
adopt Wing doctrine, and uphold the Wing party.
In the hands of the General Government these
6O,OOO,OOO acres would be sold demand arose,
and bring into the National Treasury $75,0Oo,OOO.
This would pay the ordinary expenses of the Gov
eminent for at least two years, and probably re-
lieve North Carolina of two millions of dollars
taxes that would he required to make up the de-
ticency if this fund should be distributed.
One more objection and we shall conclude for
the present. The bill requires of part of the
States that they appropriate the lands to build
railroads; of the remainder that they use it for
educational purposes. What is this but Congress
legslating for the States in matters which the
latter have exclusive control? All powers not del
egated to Congress expressly reserved to the
States. Would it not be gross assumption of
power on the part of Congress to legslate for the
States on Internal Improvements, or on Common
Schools Does the Constitution any where con-
fer such powers upon Congress? In this view also,
we regard the bill under consideration as unconsti-
tutional. Its passage would have general ten
dency to consolidate all power in the hands of the
General Government, and render the State Gov
ernments nothing more than dependencies.