The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-12-08

ninety thousand and seventeen acres brought
into market. The number Of acres sold is
seven million thirty five thousand seven hun
dred and thirty-five, and the amount recciv..
cd therefor nine million two hundred and
eighty-fve thousand five hundred and thir-
ty-three dollars. The aggregate amount OF
lands sold, located under military scrip and
land warrants, selected as swamp lands by
states, and by locating under grants Tor
roads, 10 upwards Of twenty-three millions
Of acres. The increase Of lands sold, over
the previous year, is about six millions OF
acres and the sales during the two hrst
quarters Of the curreut year present the
extraordinary result Of five and half mil
lions sold, exceeding by nearly four millions
of acres the sales Of the corresponding
quarters Of the last year, thus increasing to
an extent unparalleled during any like per-
iod in our past history the amount OF reven-
ue provided from this source for the federal
treasury.
The commendable policy Of the govern
ment, in relation to setting apart public do
main for those who have served their coun-
l try in time Of war, is illustrated by the tact,
that since 1870 no less than thirty millions
Of acres have been applied to this object.
The suggestions which submitted IN my
annual message Of last year, in reference to
grants Of land in aid Of the construction oil
railways, were less full and explicit than
the magnitude Of the subject and subse-
quent developments would seem to render
proper and desirable. Of the soundness OF
the principle then asserted with regard to
the Limitation OF the power Of congress, l
entertain no doubt; but in its application 1t
is not enough that the value Of lands in a
particular locality may be enhanced; that,
in fact, larger amount Of money may prob
ably be received, in given time, for alter
nate sections, than could have been realized
for all the sections, without the impulse and
influence Of the proposed improvements
A prudent proprietor looks beyond limited
sections Of his domain, beyond present re-
suits, to the ultimate effect which a partic-
ular line of policy is likely to produce upon
all his possessions and interests. The gov
eminent, which is trustee in this matter for
the people Of the states, is bound to take
the same wise and comprehensive view
Prior to and during the last session of con-
gress upwards Of thirty millions Of acres Of
land were withdrawn from public sale with
a view to applications for grants Of this
character pending before congress. a care
ful review of the whole subject led me to
direct that all such orders be abrogated and
the lands restored to market, and instruc-
tons were Immediately given to that effect.
The applications at the last session contem-
plated the construction Of moro than FIVE
thousand miles of road, and grants to the
amount Of nearly twenty millions OF acres
of the public domain. Even admitting the
right on the part Of congress to be inquest
ionable, is it quite clear that the proposed
grants would be productive Of good, and
not evil z The different projects are con-
fined, for the present, to eleven states Of
this Union, and one territory. The reasons
assigned for the grants show that it is pro-
posed to put the works speedily in process
OF construction.
When we reflect, that since the COM
mencement Of the construction Of railways
in the United States, stimulated as they
have been by the large dividends realised
for the earlier works over the great thor
oughfares, and between the most important
points Of commerce and population, en-
couraged by state Legislation, and pressed
forward by the amazing energy OF private
enterprise, only seventeen thousand miles
have been completed in all the states in a
quarter of u century when we see the
crippled condition of many works com
menced and prosecuted upon what were
deemed to be sound principles. and safe cal
culations when we contemplate the enor-
nous absorption Of capital withdrawn from
the ordinary channels Of business, the ex-
travagant rates of interest at this moment
paid TO continue operations, the bankrupt
cies not merely in money, but in character,
aud the inevitable effect upon finances gen.
erally;-can il be doubted that the tenden-
CIV is to run TO excess in this matter? Is it
wise to augment this excess by encourag-
ing hopes oil sudden wealth expected to flow
from magnificent schemes dependent upon
the action Of congress Does the spirit,
which has produced such results, need to
be stimulated or checked? Is it not the
better rule TO leave all these works to pri-
vate enterprise, regulated, and, when cX-
pcdient, aided by the cooperation Of states?
Ii constructed by private capital, the stim-
ulant and the check 90 together, and furn-
ish salutary restraint against speculative
schemes and extravaganza. But it is man.
ifest that, with the most effective guards.
there is danger Of going too fast and too
far.
We may well pause before proposition
contemplating simultaneous movement for
the construction Of railroads, which, in ex.
tent, will equal, exclualve Of the great Pac-
ifc road and nil its branches. nearly one
third Of the entire length Of such works,
now completed, in the United States, and
which cannot cost, with equipments, less
than one hundred and fifty millions Of dol
lars. The dangers likely to result from
combinations OF interests Of this character,
can hardly be over estimated. But, indie
pendently Of these considerations, where is
the accurate knowledge, the comprehensive
intelligence, which shall discriminate be-
tween the relative claims of these twenty
eight proposed roads, in eleven states and
one territory? Where will you begin, and
where end? IL to enable these companies
to execute their proposed works, it is ne
cessary that the aid Of the general govern
ment be primarily given, the policy will pre-.
sent problem so comprehensive in its
bearings, and so important TO our political
and social well being, as to claim, in an
ticipa,ion, the severest analysis. Entertain
ing these views, recur with satisfaction to
the experience and action Of the last sess-
ion Of congress, as furnishing assurance
that the subject will not fail to elicit care
ful re-examination and rigid scrtiny.
It was my intention to present, on this
occasion, some suggestions regarding in.
ternal improvements by the general govern.
ment, which want Of time ut the close OF
the last session prevented my submitting on
the return to the house Of representatives,