The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-12-05

the POSTMASTER General attention
During the last fiscal year eleven million seventy th0us
aud nine hundred and thiryye of the public lsn
have been surveyed and eight million one hundred and
ninety Thousand and seventeen brought into market
The number of sold is million thirtyhye th0us
aud hundred and thirty five and the amount received
therefor nine million hundred and eightyfye Thousand
five handred and thrty-three dollars. The aggregate
amount of lands sold located under military scrip and land
warrants selected swamp lands by States aud by oea
ing under grants for roads is upwards OF wentythree mil
lions of acres The increase of lands sold over the pre-
yious year is about SIX millions of acres and the sales
during the first quarters of the current year present
the extraordinary result of FIVE and half millions sold e
ceedng by nearly four millions of acres the sales Of the
corresponding quarters OF the last year
The commendable policy of the government, in relation
to setting apart public domain for those who have served
their country in time of war, is illustrated by the fact that
since 1890 less than thirty millions OF acres have been
applied to this object.
The suggestions which submitted III my annual message
of last year in reference grants of land in aid of the con
structon of railways, less full and explicit than the
magnitude of the subject and subsequent developments
would to render proper and desirable VI the sound
of the principle then asserted with regard to the m
taton of the power of Congress- entertain no doubt but
in its application it is not enough that the value OF lands
particular locality may be enhanced; that In TACT lar
ger amount of money may probably be received III given
me for alternate sections than could have been realized
for all the sections without the impulse and influence Of the
proposed improvements. prudent proprietor looks be
yond limited sections of his domain beyond present
VI
policy is likely to produce upon all his possessions and
interests The government which is trustee in this matter
for the people of the Sates is bound take the same wise
and comprehensive view. Prior TO and during the last
session of Congress- upwards of thirty millions of
land were withdrawn from public sale with view app
cations for grants Of this character pending before Con
gress. careful review of the whole subject led
direct that all such orders be abrogated and the lands
stored TO markets and instructions immediately given
to that effect The applications the last session cone
plated the construction of than five thousand miles
road and grants to the amount OF nearly twenty millions
of of the public domain Even admitting the right
the part of Congress to be nquestionable is quite
clear that the proposed grants would be productive of
and not evl The different projects confined for the
present to eleven States of this Unon and TERRITORY
The assigned for the grants show that ia pro
posed put the works speedily in process OF construction
When reflect that since the commencement OF the
struction of railways in the United States, stimulated as
they have been by the large dividends realized from the
earlier works the great thoroDghfares and between
the most important points of commerce and population
encouraged by State legislation, and pressed forward
the amazing energy of private enterprise only seventeen
thousand miles have been completed in all the States ina
quarter of centurywhen see the crippled conditional
many works commenced and upon what were
deemed to be sound principles, and safe calculations
when contemplate the absorption of cap
ta withdrawn from the ordinary channels of business
the exravagant rates of interest at this paid
continue operations, the bankruptcies not merely in money
but in character and the inevitable effect upon finances
generally it be doubted that the tendency il to
in this mater Is it wise augment this excess
by encouraging hopes of sudden wealth expected flow
from magnificent schemes dependent upon the action
Congress? Does the spirit which has produced such re-
suits need to be stimulated checked Is it the
better rule leave all these works private enterprise
regulated, and when expedient aided by the co-opeat
of Staesl If constructed by private capital the smul
and the check go together and furnish salutar restraint
against speculative schemes and extravaganza But its
manifest that, with the most effective guards, there
danger of going too fast and too far.
We may well pause before proposition conemplatnga
simultaneous movement for the construction of railroads
which, in extent, will equal exclusive of the great Pacific
road and all its branchas nearly one-thrd of the entire
length of such works, now completed in the United States
and which cannot cost Th sauomfps r.s tsn one hun
result from combinations of interest of this character can
hardly be estimated But independently of these
sderaons, where the accurate knowledge the compre
hensve intelligence, which shall discriminate between the
relative claims of these twentyegh proposed roads
eleven States and Territory Where will you begin
and where end If to enable these companies to execute
their proposed works. it necessary that the aid of the gen
era government be primarily given, the policy will present
problem comprehensive in its bearings and impO
political and social well being, claim
cpation, the severest analysis Entertaining these view
with satisfaction to the experience and action ote
last session of Congress- furnishing that the
subject will not fail TO elicit careful reexamination and
rigid scrutiny.
1t was my intention present on this occasion some
suggestions regarding internal improvements by the gene
raj government which want of time the close of the
session prevented my submitting the return the Hos
of Representatives with objections, of bill entted"
act making appropriations for the repair preservation and
completion OF certain publ works heretofore commenced
under authority of law but the space in this
ton already occupied with other matter of immediate public
exigency constrans that subject for special
message, which will be transmitted the two houses Of
Congress at early day.
The judicial establishment of the United States requires
modification and certain reforms in the manner of conduct
ing the>egal business of the government are also much
needed but have addressed you upon both of these
subjects at length before have only to call your attention
to the suggestions then made
My former recommendations in relation to suitable pro
vision for various objects deep interest Co the inhabitants
OF the District of Columbia, renewed Many of these
objects partake largely of national character and
important independently of their relation to the prosperity
of the only considerable community in the Union
entirely unrepresented in Congress
have thus presented suggestions on such subjects as
appear TO to be OF particular interest or mp0rtance
and therefore most worthy of consideration during the short
remaining period allotted to the Isbors of the present Con
gress.
Our foreathers Of the thirteen United Colonies in ac
quirng their independence, aud in founding this Republic
OF the United States OF America have devolved upon
their descendants the greatest and tie most noble trust
committed to the hands of man. imposing upon ALL
and especially such as the public will have invested
for the time being with political functions the most sacred
obligations. We have to maintain invioate the great doc
trine of the inherent right Unpopular selfgoy
reconcile the largest liberty of the individual citizen with
complete security of the public ORDER to render Cheerful
obedience TO the laws of the land to unite in forcing
their execution and to frown Indignantly on all combine
tons TO resist them to harmonic sincere and ardent
devotion to the institutions of religious faith with the mO
univ rsal religious toeraon preserve the rights Of al
BY causing each to respect those of the other ca
forward every social improvement the uttermost limit Of
ma nprp ty Inv tla tr,,