The daily union., 1854-02-15

be apparent the Senate that the Representatives OF
bose States that have Seen asking Tor grants OF lands for
railroads. II they fail TO get their lands the early part
Of the session when other have had bills passed
for the benefit OF their States, be affected iDuoasy
ri home.
There is another consideration so far as nv
own Stale is concerned. bill has been reported from
the Committee on Public Lands granting alternate sec.
tons, Tor railroad purposes for four sho roads in that
State The Legislature OF California is now in session
and there 10 not some indication OF congressional
ton upon this question, which be transmitted by the
Aex mall they viii adJourn and thus the benefits OF
the act may be lost TO the State ior whole wear from
the want OF the Stale legislation necessary give any
efciescy hope, therefore. that the senator from FEN
will allow these bills to 20 through as part of
them have already passed. without any obstruction bu,
will allow ns an opportunity of being placed upon the
same footing with those States for the benefit OF which
bills have already passed the Senate.
Mr.. BAYARD. | trust thar | should be unwilling,
under any circumstances, to do injustice TO any Stale OF
this Union. But though it may be true that the Con-
gress OF the United States have passed certain bills al an
anterior session or The purpose of granting lands to in
dydual States Tor railroad purposes, il does not follow
think the principle of those bills to have been wrong
that am doing injustice TO other States in refusing
recognise that wrong principle when subsequent bills
are introduced oil the same character The question OF
the disposition OF the public lands is certainly vexed
question. There is settled policy in reference to H.
Il has been resisted at all times NV hope and desire is
thai some adjustment may be made which will prevent
future difficulty ~ reference 10 these questions
My own opinions tend towards The adoption OF an
amendment that introduced two sessions ago by the
honorable senator from Virginia But these bills sland
they seem 10 me- every OF hem involve princi-
pie OF the greatest injustice towards the other States OF
the Union. admit that in my vew Congress has not
the constitutional power TO dispose OF The public lands
among the States at all Nor am | able to distinguish
between the right OF giving them to the land States any
more than TO the other States. If it is gut And to
the doctrine OF the United States being great landhoders
wish to show that The principle connected with that has
been departed from in the bill which has been adopted
the model bill by the Senate committee | wish to be
heard upon this question. Ii after that the Senate choose
10 pass these bills they will with further oppo
trnf haun uGtlan Ghutl Gfrt
gle against the decision OF the Senate but wish TO
bring the question beiose the Senate with the hope that
we shall be able TO adopt plan which will satisfy the
public sentiment both OF the landhodlng and OF the
andholdlng States Beng, therefore, opposed 10 the prn
cips embraced In every one OF these bills, can
principle OF justice winch requires OF me, because pre-
vlously bills OF similar character have been passed. that
shall moi object 10 the passage OF the bills, although
have never had an opportunity of being heard in oppos
tion to them
Mr. SLlDELL trust that the motion 10 postpone
until Monday will not be adopted by the Senate. The
honorable senator from Delaware has had abundant op
portanily Of examining not only the principles bat the
details OF this bill 1t has been upon tables Tor
more than month past II has been subject oil discus
sion upon least three diheren occasions The whole
principle OF this bill thoroughly discussed upon the
passage OF bill OF similar character five SIX
days since. am that the senator from Delaware.
who has now been in the Senate for three sessions,
Mr. BAYARD, Tin his seat) For two sessions
~ Mr. SLlDELL lconunung)-- when we have had
before Us bills involving the same principles, is quite as
competent 10 Inc To-day lie can De any
subsequent period. | am that if thought the
aiOr from Delaware not prepared at this moment TO
dscass this bill, with full knowledge OF all its Details
should consider il matter OF necessary and proper
courtesy 10 consent TO The motion 10 postpone. But
knowing the ability and zeal with which he examines all
Questions OF this kind am sure that he will not require
that The bill should be postponed Tor five or SIX days
longer Therefore, If the motion is persisted in, shall
aak Tor The yeas and nays upon IL.
MIR. BAYARD. can only say that should suppose
that better Judge whether prepared not to
o ulsfau
And certainly have not had The opportunity that de.
SIRE There has been discussion IN this Senate upon
the principle OF these bills when not member oi
the Senate; but. far ecollect, those bills oi this
character which the Senate since have been
. member OF The body, were not subjects OF discussion,
certainly not OF extended discussion II there has been any
full discussion OF this subject this session, certainly
havs not heard IL although have heard the question
partially discussed This bill, think, not reported
by the committee until the 3oth OF January; and has
bess before ior a period OF two weeks and
Daring that time have had great many other exciting
questions before the Senate and other collateral
Questions which have been obliged to examine | did
not anticipate and presume that senator anticipated,
thai this question would be called up to-day. We sup
posed that while this Nebraska question continued.
other subjects OF Importance would not be taken up.
One thing very cerlaintbat although there is prv
legged question which the special order for Thursday
last IT was passed by unnohced under the pressure OF this
Nebraska bull And think might naturally presume,
after The notice which had the other day from two
eentemen that they intended 10 speak to-day, that the
whole day would be consumed with that question. did
not come here to-day for the purpose Of discussing this
bill and not anticipating that II would be taken up,
made the motion postpone IL Is a matter OF indlner
10 whether the Senate grant It not. shall
take occasion 10 express my sentiments upon
OF these bills. Certainly shall not speak to-day even
IL the Senate determine not to postpone until Monoay.
Mr.. CLAYTON believe the Senate has never before
refused application for this kind OF courtesy to post
pone subject for few days, in order 10 give a senator
opportunity to be heard upon IT, This is great sub
ject, upon which there "a great variety OF opinion.
hardly know OF more important subject ol discussion
this session. And IN consideration oil the fact that
pressed here by the Nebraska bill, by the bill for in
demniiy for French spoaons, and by many other
ures which occupy much tne trust that the Senate
will not depart from the ancient courtesy which have
heretofore always INDUCED such occasions. hope
therefore, that by unanimous consent the will lie
over until Monday, and then shall come prepared 10
act understsndlngly upon it,
MIR, JOHNSON. The motion is to postpone until next
Monday. This being Monday, that full week
Now err, am satisfied that will not take gentleman
oil the intelligence OF the senator from Delaware, with
the general knowledge which he already possesses
these subjects, a whole week 20 investigate the few
points thar involved 10 these bills and as II bears
hardly upon u.s. think that earlier day would be but
jnst'ee 10 those OF who feel that States would
su6er by the delay. perfectly willing for ny part,
10 eoncede to the senator time, bat hot such amount
OF time would sacrifice all our interests here. do
hope, therefore, that may be allowed TO amend the
ton so ss TO reduce the time TO two days think that
wonld be ample.
Another matter will suggest to the common sepse OF
the gentleman When you postpone this bill, you post
pone this bill only and thus you will involve a contest
upon every other bill OF similar character What do YOU
achieve by laying thsbll Tor week You achieve
amply this The senator who has his bill before
the Senate will bave to wait week before be
sidered bat the other bills not postponed and we
are al perfect liberty 10 bring up any other bull of the
same ciass upon any other day But do not fely upon