The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-03-22

rsspondents to Play 4 also stated being neither
lees than bod their tongues whilst all this
villany was going on
A am not a. much behind the scenes ~ the letter
writer's who have made these startling discoveries can
not say whether the assertion il true not that some
correspondents Of paper may be well paid Tor doing
nothing. Lucky devils, tAey II it is true Such iu-
crative business with little trouble does not often
fall to the lot Of newspaper men. Allah be praised
that the profession has risen here in respectabty &C.
cording to your Sunday correspondence from its mem
bers being the recipients of casto garments to their
being paid, in moneys and land for-doing nothing
But il is scarcely necessary to treat seriously TINS
lobby member discovery Let look at the measures
before Congress- and II find these measures to DO i'm
proper and dishonest matters not whether or not
denounced and the press should do everything in its
power to protect the rights Of the people IT. on the
other hand these measures are in themselves just ana
proper they should pass their merits alone.
The subject of granting to States alternate sections OF
land for the purpose Of aiding in the construction OF
before the country but the nrst practical test which has
been given the theory is in the case OF the Illinois
Central Railroad Congress, some years ago grantee 70
of the land lying its route The official report mace
from the General Land Office, at the commencement OF
this Congress- shows that the has received
for the alternate sections Of land not to the State
Of Illinois much money as the whole OF the land
that given to the State and that reserved by the
government-would have brought, at the regu-
lar government price Of the land previons to
the road being constructed Independent o. Ihs 1t at
brought into the market, for immediate sale the
government lands either side Of the road for thirty
miles which before that cou not be sold in consequence
Of its remoteness from market and there being no means
OF communication through the country The grant mas
therefore not only aided in building great railroad and
opening up the resources Of that region but 1t has
brought into immediate SALE at enhanced prices all
the government land in the State These are official
facts which be at length in the report Of the
Commissioner Of the Land Office, Of last December
is not pretended that the land thus given by the
ernment f sold at double the price which the law
directs would build railroad But the State uses II as
collateral security 10 raise money in Europe and then by
MS II il constructed, the security is complete The earn
nes Of the road and the increase in value OF village sites
calculated in the end to remunerae the State for its
outlay.
The granting Of public land in aid Of the construction
of railroads through the public lands Is very different
principle from the scheme TO distribute the public lands
to all the States In the first proposition small portion
proyements has the effect of benetting all the public
lands in that locality and in fact does not take dollar
from the public treasury The plan OF distributing the
public lands to all the States is merely question of
giving away all the lands and dcprivng the general gov
Of them for the benefit of the several States
individually without in any way giving equivalent in
the improvement of the ands therefor The latter plan
seeks to deprive the government of all benefit In the
public lands; the former makes the improvements
seventh of the value Of the road, and increasing The
value of the lands alternating with wha to the
State, TO cell it, by law, at twice he price now
asked namely, 80 so an acre, instead 81 81 25
The alternate system does not depriy the od States
Of their share in the proceeds OF the lands as has
terms Of the Donation just as much it takes away
and hence II gives great return of money into the
public treasury If not an acre was given away 1t is
not distribution scheme, but plan by which quid
pro quo given rapid settlement Is induced and the full
that can now be paid for all the lands by law The other
plan is simply question Of giving away to the individual
States the proceeds Of the public lands instead Of giving
the money 10 the federal government Each plan rests
upon its own merits and neither having anything in
common, conflict
Congress- in all its length and breadth Free discussion
has taken place and it is to be supposed that the princ
pie is fully understood by Congress- How lobby influence
be brought to bear to prejudice question well
considered is matter not quite easily understood
But it is said the West intend to force the South to
vote for these land bills or they will defeat the Ne
braska bill. What foundation in truth is there for
such allegations Some of the most ardent advocates
of the Nebraska bill in the House are also the warm
friends af the land bills Take for instance the Chair
man of the Committee Territories Mr.. Richardson
Is he person capable of such conduct as to sacrifice his
position national in order to force fraud the
country? Mr. Bisse Of Illinois, is another equally
friendly to both measures. In the South the warmest
friends of the land bills found The Alabama, Louis
iana Kentucky Arkansas and Missouri delegations nearly
all voted for the Wisconsin land BILL whilst among it's
strongest opponents found the names of all the abo
tonists in the House-Gddings, Gerrit Smith, &C., and
the anti Nebraska wings and democrats such Havens
Israel Washburn Grow Murray Perkins &c Is true
opposed to everything which they cannot find in the
| solutions Of '08.
Nebraska who desire the passage of the land bills,
and that they intend to force the South to vote for the
T
nacs all opposed to the land bills. The Northern
committed to the Nebraska BILL nearly all are from
the West and also in favor Of the land bills that is
such open, fair, and involve no fraud. have
taken the pains to-day to inquire carefully into the mat
support Of any land bill the condition of his support to
the Nebraska bill If there any such let them be
named, and their guilty conduct exposed
have written about this subject because IL has been
charged that enOrmities existence winked
by correspondents am ignorant Of any such scheme
do not believe they have any existence except in the
fertile maginatons of persons who endeavor to
write interesting letters by depending upon their fancy
for their facts.
Correspondence a the Philadelphia Ledger
WASHINGTON March Is 1854.
NJ Buchanan and Smith 6'Brien-fae French Niniste,
and the Black Warrior Affair.
The Deficiency bill passed the House yesterday at late
hour in the afternoon. The Western members, whose
railroad grants had lately been defeated combined with
the members from Pennsylvania in throwing out the an
preparation of $3.50 900 for the New York assay Office
Several of the New York members themselves took
ground against the appropriation which they consider
ed unconstitutional Considering that but 500 900 had
been appropriated by the last Congress for the estab
,shmrn o. the ONCE it is believed that Mr. Guthrie
$50 coo per annum, for fifteen years. of house in Wall
street. Other localities 1t is argued, might have
swered as well and three houses in Pine street. near
Wall street might have been had for fifth part Of the
money The appropriation was voted down by deci
the House, and Mr. Cutting, of New York. one Of the
! leading hards, advocating it.
Mr.. Buchanan, in an interview with Lord Clarendon,
brought to his ordships attention and intimated to him
the propriety Of enancipating Smith O'Bren from his
condemnation and Punishment to the Australian island
he had the gratifeaon on the day succeeding not only
to find the subject introduced into the British Para-
mcpt but also to hear Lord Pamerson the
House that the government had authorized his release
from exile and bondage. So Smith 0'Brien whose only
offending consisted in loving his country, not wisely,
perhaps, but too WELL is now emancpaed and redeemed.
This act OF pure patriotism and benevolcnce is charac
'eTs.ic o. .ne eniightened pennsylvania statesman
communication to Congress touching the affair Of the
Black Warrior and the Cuban authorities at once OBJ
tanned an interview with the Secretary of State de-
manding an explanation Of what he termed an extraor-
binary procedure on the part Of government. He
met with just such reception might have been anti
Gil aed from that sound thinking and seeing states
man. Gov. Marcy promptly declined to entertain any
communication or explanation with the government Of
Of Spain and demanded TO be informed under what sha
dow Of right usage the government of France could