The daily union., 1854-03-02


square miles. You then fix upon basis OF representa-
on in the other branch OF Congress. The State OF Cali
ornia has two members there. She Is justly entitled al
this time TO al least four members This ralo liked upon
by the Committee on Public Lands, would necessarily
therefore, do great injustice 10 that Stale.
Now, am in favor Of the general principles Of the bill
but am unwilling 10 do gross injustice TO my own State
which should have larger amount Of land than she
will obtain by this bill l. therefore, 10 strike out
State fifty thousand square miles, leaving each State 10
receive in proportion to the quantity OF land 10 be found
within its limits My State. well Others is interest
ed III providing Tor this numerous class OF persons for
there many people there who have gone from the old
States with the expectation perhaps OF making fortunes
suddenly. but, finding themselves disappointed have be-
come derange and are now chageable upon The people
OF that State for their support Unless the difficulty is
obyiated by the amendment just proposed shall be
obliged to move amendment myself to strike out
portion OF the first section
Mr. FOOT. In order to meet the objection Of the sen.
aor from California, l propose 10 modify the amend
men already offered, by striking out the following
words Provided that the area OF no State shall be
computed al more that so 900 square miles, and that the
representation shall not be computed at less than
members and inserting Provided that the said appor-
onment shall be made after first ailotng TO each Stale
one hundred thousand acres.
Mr.. DAWSON. AS understand The bill il proposes
first to aot 10 all the Sales except the old thirteen
MIR. FOOT No, sir i proposes TO first allot to all
the thirty States one hundred thousand That
will take up three millions hundred thousand out OF
the ten million The remainder, $500 OoO is TO
be apporioned according to the compound ratio OF repre-
Mr.. ADAMS. ! shall ask the yeas and nays upon the
passage OF this bill And here permit TO say that
dislike very much TO vote against this bill, benevolent
il is in its purposes and yet conceive that il is much
more objectionable mode of disposng of the public
lands than the method of distributing the proceeds of the
sales Of those lands. 1t is true that of the obec-
tions have had to the bill heretofore-that OF making
State freehoder in anolhers obviaed the bill
stands Still. State is authorized to sell TO indl
yduas and the assignee OF State is at Liberty to locate
the lands Now, what will be the effect OF that pro-
vision! will be TO cause large tracts OF land TO fall
into the hands OF specuators in the different States
That is palpaty unjust 4 is unjust TO the new States
10 have their lands located and owned by spectators
from the old States who will Of sell them at the
very highest price they can get, lease them out to
the great injury is TO the new States have large
tracts OF their best lands in the hands OF specuatorsas
will undoubtedly be the if this bill passes-they
would at that would be great deal better
provide that hundred thousand OF land, the
amount which may be assigned to each State should be
sold by the general government and the proceeds paid
ectionabe mode and would be productive OF much less
injury to the new States. II is the principle
have been fighting about heretofore, OF dsposng OF the
public lands only the practical effect OF this measure
much more injurious than the distribution OF the pro-
ceeds OF the sale OF the public lands shall ask the
yeas aud nays upon the passage OF the bill
Committee on Public Lands as modified, il was agreed
to-.
Mr.. FOOT. The next question will be upon the
amendment as amended or the substitute for the original
bill presume the senator from Mississippi does not
wish for the yeas and nays upon that
Mr.. ADAMS. Not at all; only upon the final pass
age.
The question being taken on adopting the substitute
for the original bill as amended, it was agreed to-
The bill then reported to the Senate amended.
and the amendments made in committee OF the whole
Mr. GWlN Mr. President, | want to ask the gentle
who has brought forward this bill whether gives
authority 10 any Sateor instance, the State which
represen-to locate these lands within another State
have not been able 10 read the bill with the attention due
to it.
Mr. FOOT Thai question has been put 10 me by sew
eIa gentlemen. The bill, far from giving any such
authority, in express terms prohibits any Stale from To-
eating the lands in any other State or Territory
MIR. GWIN. Another question: Does this bill au-
horize State locate the lands within its limits,
case there are vacant lands in i'll
Mr. FOOT. Certainly.
Mr. GWIN. Another question: Can State in which
there public lands subject to private entry take
such other public lands as are within the State
Mr. FOOT. The bill limits the location TO the lands
subject to private entry at one dollar and quarter per
Mr. GWIN Well, sir, although there are millions
and tens OF millions of public lands in California there is
not foot OF land in that condition There is not foot
OF land subject TO private entry, nor do believe there
will be IN twenty years TO come. Now, the senator
will agree that. where is land in condition 10 be en-
tered, the Stale may be allowed TO locate other public
lands win vote for it, Let the bill be so amended that
IN such case other unappoprated public lands may be
taken, and then California will be benefited, and ! will
sustain the bill
Mr. FOOT My construction of the provisions OF the
bill would be this That such States have public
lands subject private entry at the lime locate their
lands elsewhere other States Territories where there
are public lands in such condition at the time. 1
have, however, objection 10 the senator from Caor
MIA drawing up amendment TO suit the condition o bis
own State.
Mr. GWIN | will draw up such an amendment. and
il il shall be adopted shall vote for the bill.
Mr. DAWSON. Before the senator from California
draws up his amendment hope be will be kind enough
to explain why there public lands in his State sub
ect TO private sale Is it because they not
yeyed
Mr GWIN. Yes, sir.
Mr. DAWSON. Well, il is not TO be presumed that
the government is going 10 let The whole OF its public
lands in California be taken up without survey.
Mr.. GWlN. | will explain this matter. There
hundreds OF thousands OF there located by set
ers and such Is the necessity TO provide for their settle
that have procured the passage OF law through
Congressthe fret that did pass OF similar obarac-
er-gvng these settlers their rights 10 the lands before
they surveyed because they cannot be surveyed fast
enough TO meet the demands OF settlers. The govern.
which all taken up by preempuon settlers and for years
TO this will continue TO be The You must 20
and survey hat portion which Is settled IN order
commodate the population; hence, | do not believe
there will be in twenty years land subject 10 private
Try. only want TO provide 10 meet this difficulty
in my own State
MI DAWSON. There certainly can be no difficulty
10 California Every lot which is surveyed by the gov
eminent certainly will not be taken up By settlers imme-
diaely,
Mr. GWlN. Yes, sir Il will
Mr. DAWSON. Well, sir, that is certainly a most
astonishing state OF things, which the past history OF
public lands certainly gives warrant for believing
Nov, will say TO California, let surveys be made in that
portion OF country where this great demand is not exist