The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1854-12-13

ments would seem to render proper
and desirable. OF the soundness OF
the principle then asserted with regard
to the limitation of the power of Con.
press, | entertain no doubt ; but in its
application it is not enough that the val
nc of lands in particular locality may
be enhanced; that in fact larger amount
of money may probably be received. in
q given time, for alternate sections. than
could bnve been realized for all the sec.
tions, without. the impulse aud influence
Of the proposed improvements \ pru-
dent proprietor looks beyond limited sec
tions Of his domain, beyond present re-
suits. to the ultimate effect which par.
ticulor line of policy is likely to produce
upon all bis possessions and intcres's.-
The Government. which is trustee. in
this matter, for the people of tho States,
is bound to take the same wise and COM
rrehcnsivc view Prior to and during
the last session of Congress, upwards of
thirty millions of acres of land were
withdrawn from public sale with a view
to applications for grants of this charac
ter pending before Congress. \ careful
review of the whole subject led me to
direct that all such orders be abrogated
and the lands restored to market and
instructions were Immediately given to
that effect The applications at the last
session contemplated the construction Of
more than five thousand miles Of road,
and grants TO the amount Of nearly TWEEN.
tv millions Of acres of the public domain
Even admitting the right on the part of
Congress to be unquestlonable, is it quite
clear that the proposed grants would be
The different projects are confined. for
the present, to eleven States Of this Tn.
ion. ana one Territory The reasons as
signed for the grants, show that it is pro.
posed to put the works speedily in pro.
gress of construction When we reflect.
siructon of railways in the United
States, stimulated as they have been b.
the large dividends realized from tie
earlier works over the great thorough
fares, and between the most important
points Of commerce and population. en-.
rouraged by State legislation, and press.
I'd forward By the amazing energy Of pri-
vate enterprise. only seventeen thousand
miles have been completed in all the
States in quarter ola injury ;--Nhor
We see the crippled condition Of many
works commenced and prosecuted upon
what were deemed to &c sound principles
sud safe calculations when we con.
template the enormous absorption leap.
tai Withdrawn from the ordinary chan.
ic, of business. the extravagant rates
If interest at this moment paid to con.
inuc operations. the bankruptcies not
merely in money but in character and
lie inevitable effect upon finances gen.
rally can it be doubted that the ten.
lcnry is TO run to excess in this natter
IS it wise to augment this excess by en-
hopes of sudden wealth cx.
,ectcd to flow from magnificent schemes
dependent upon the action of Congress
)oes the spirit. which has produced such
esults. need to be stimulated or check
u
Il these works to private cnterprisc,rcg.
lated, and when oXpedicnt aided by the
cooperation of States If constructed |
" private capital, the stimaant and the |
heck 90 together, and furnish Salutary
es'raint against speculative schemes and |
xtravaeanccs. But it is manifest that.
With the most effective guards, there is
LANCER OF going 100 fast aud too far.
We may well nausc before n PROPOSE
ion contemplating simultaneous move
ncnt for tic construction of railroads |
'bich, III extent, will equal. exclusive Of |
he great Pacific road and all its branch.
s, nearly onc-third of the entire length |
f such works, now completed, in the |
United States, and which cannot cost
With equipments, less than one hundred |
nd fifty millions Of dollars. The dan
ers likely to result from combinations
f interests of this character can hardly |
&c over estimated But independently |
I these considerations, where is the ac- |
uraic knowledge. the comprehensive in.
diligence, which shall discriminate be
wcen the relative claims Of these tween.
y weight proposed roads. in eleven States
nd one Territory Where will you be.
in. and where end , Ii to enable these |
omnanies to execute their proposed |
forks, it is necessary that the aid Of the |
icncral Government be primarily given
he policy will present n problem so com
reheusivo in its bearings, and so impor
ant to our political and social well be.
ng as to claim in anticipation. the Sc
crest analysis Entertaining these
Jews. recur with satisfaction to the
experience and action Of the last session
# Congress. as furnishing assurance that
he subject will not fail to elicit a care
ul re.cxamination and rigid scrutiny.
1t was my intention to present on this
occasion, some suggestions regarding in
ernal improvements by the General
Government, which want Of time at the
'losr Of the last session prevented my
on the return to the House
If representatives, with objections, Of
he bill entitled, AN act making appro-
7riations for the repair. preservation and
of certain public works here.
iofore commenced under authority Of
law" but the space in this commuuica.
ton already occupied with othe, matter
Of immediate public exigency constrains
me to reserve that subject for special
which will be transmitted to
the two houses of Congress at an early
day.
The judicial establishment of the
United States requires modification, and
certain reforms in the manner of con.
duciing the legal business of the Gov
eminent are also much needed but as |
have addressed you upon both of these
subjects at length before. have only to
call your attention to the suggestions