Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1854-12-18


power of Congress, | entertain no doubt
but in its application it is not enough
that the value Of lands in particular local
itv may be enhanced; that, in fact, larger
| sum for alternate sections, than could have
Ioeen realized for all the sections, without
The impulse and influence OF the proposed
improvements. A prudent proprietor looks
beyond limited sections of his domain, De
gond present results, to the ultimate effect
which particular line of policy is likely to
produce upon all his possessions and interests.
The government, which is trustee in the
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
Congress, upwards of thirty millions of a
cres of land were withdrawn from public
'ale with view of applications for grants
If this character pending before Congress
A careful review of the subject led me to
iirect that all such orders he abrogated,
and the lands restored to market; and in
structions 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 ofnearly twenty millions of
acres of the public domain. Even admit
ting the right on the part of Congress to
be unquestionable, is it quite clear that
the proposed grants would be productive
of good, and not evil? The different pro-
jects are confined, for the grants show that
| it is proposed to put the works speedily in
process of construction.
When we reflect that since the COM
Imencement of the construction of railways
in the United States, stimulated as they
have been by the large dividends realized
from the earlier works over the great tho
roughfares, and between the most impor-
tant points Of commerce and population,
encouraged by State legislation, and pres
sed forwards by the amazing energy of pri-
waite enterprise, only seventeen thousand
miles have been completed in all the States
in quarter of a century; when we see
the crippled condition of many works COM
menced and prosecuted upon what were
deemed to be sound principles, and safe
when we contemplate the
enormous ABSORPTION of capital Withdrawn
from the ordinary channels of business, the
lextravagant rates of interest at this moment
paid to continue operations, the bankrupt
cies not merely in money but in character,
and the inevitable effect upon finances
generally; can it be doubted that the
tendency is to run to excess in this mat
ter?
it is wise to augment this excess by en-
|couraging hopes of sudden wealth expec-
ted to flow from magnificent schemes de-
Ipendent upon the action Of Congress 3
Does the spirit, which has produced such
results, need to be stimulated or check
led?
Is not the better rule to leave all these
works to private enterprise, regulated, and
when expedient, aided by the cooperation
|of States If constructed by private CAPT
tai, the stimnlant andthe fahsatf!aInt aagaiflksr
Speculative schemes and extravaganza
But it is manifest that, with the most eff
tective guards, there is danger in 90
ing too fast and too far. We may
well pause before proposition con-
ttemplating simultaneous movement for
the construction of railroads, which, in ex-
tent will equal, exclusive of the great Pa
cifc road and all its branches, nearly one
third of the entire length of such works,
now completed, in the United States. and
which cannot cost, with equipment, 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 Territorys Where will you begin,
and where end? If to enable these com
panies to execute their proposed works, il
is necessary that the aid Of the general gov
ernment be primarily given, the policy will
present problem so comprehensive in its
bearings, and so important to our political
and social wel-being, as to claim. in anti
elpatlon, the severest analysis. Entertain
ing these views, | recur with satisfaction
to the experience and action Of the last
session of Congress, as furnishing assur-
ance that the subject will not fail to elicit
careful denomination and rigid secruti-
ny.
1t was my intention to present, on this
occasion, some suggestions regarding in
ternal improvements by the general GOV
eminent, which want of time at the close
OF the last session, prevented nv submit
ting on the return to the House of Repre-
sentatives, with objections, of the bill en-
Titled, san act making appropriations for
the repair, preservation and completion of
certain public works heretofore commenced
under authority law but the space in this
communication already occupied with 9th
Ter matter of immediate public exieency
lconstrains me to reserve that subject for
Especial message, which will be transmit
ted to the two houses of Congress at an
early day.
/ The judicial establishment of the Uni
ted States requires modification. and CERTAIN
reforms in the manner of conducting the
legal business of the government, are also
much needed; but as | have addressed
you on both Of these subjects at length he
fore, | have only to call attention to the
nC fvx,nNr H.