The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1854-12-15

thi-ty-ive, and the amount received therefor nine
million two hundred and eghty-iye thousand i've
hundred and thirty dollars. The aggregate a.
OF lands sold, located under military SCRIPT
aud land WARRANTS, selected swamp lands by
States, and by locating under grants ioi roads, Is up
wards OF twenty-three millions OF
The increase OF lands sold, over the previous year
is about six millions of arres aa the sales during
the first quarters of the current year present the
extraordinary result Of five and half million sold eX
ceeding by nearly four millions oi the sales OF
the corresponding quarters Of The last year, thus in
creasing to an extent unparalleled during any like |
period past history The amount of revenue pro-
vided from this source for the federal treasury
The comErndable policy Of the government, IN
relation setting apart public domain for those who
have served their country IN tine of war, is Illus
tated by the fact that since 1890, no less than thur
ty millions OF have been applied to this object
The suggestions, which / submitted IN my annual
message OF last year, reference TO grants OF land
10 aid OF the construction of railways, were less full
and explicit than the magnitude OF the subject and
subsequent Developments would seem 10 render pro
per ard desirable. OF the soundness OF the principle
then asserted with regard 10 the limitation oil ihe
power of Congress, entertain no doubt; but IN us
appcation il is enough that the value OF lands IN
a particular locality may be enhanced that IN iact,
a larger ainonnt o money may probably be received,
in given time, for alternate sections. than could
have been realized for all the sections, without the
impulse and influence Of the proposed improvements
! prudent proprietor Looks beyond limited sec
tons OF his domain, beyond present results, TO the
ultimate etect winch particular llHc oi Ful'' ~
likely produce upon all bis possessions and lnfeF-
ests. The government which is trustee IN thls
matter for the people of he States, Is bound 10 lake
the wise aid comprehensive view. fr'or 10
and during the last session OF Congress, upwards oi
thirty millions Of OF land were wlthdfaWl ifoul
public sale with view applications for grants oil
this character pending before Congress
A careful review OF the whole subject led me 10
direct that all such orders be abrogaied, ana lhe
lands restored market and instructions were i-
mediately given TO that effect. The Applications
at the last contemplated the construction oil
more than FIVE thousand miles of road, and grants 10
the amount of nearly twenty millions oi acres OF the
\ public domain.
Even admitting the right on the part Of Congress
TO b. uneuestlonable II quite clear that the pro-
posed grants would be productive Of sood' an" no'
evil? The different projects are conhhea' 1o' ,h7
present, 10 eleven States Of this Union aud one eF'
. ritorv The reasons assigned or the grants, show
that il is proposed put the works >peedIly IN pro
cess of construction. When we reflect, mat SINCE
the commencement Of the construction ol railways IL
;, the United States, stimulated As they have been by
= the large dividends realized from the carrier WORK
over the great thoroughiares, and between the mos
q important points of commerce and populations eo
! eouraged by State legislation, and pressed ior"af'
j.. by the amazing energy of private enterprise; ohiH
~ seventeen thousand miles have been competed III di
q the States in quarter OF century we se'
!, the cIppled condition Of many works commenced
e and prosecuted upon what were deemed 10 De souh
principles, and safe calculations when we cohP'h
Oldte the enormous absorption Oi
h from the ordinary channels of business the eXtrava
CANT rates of interest at this moment paid to contn
81 operations, the bankruptcies not merely ID money
- but character, aud the inevitable ehect upon
Of nances generally can II be doubted mar 'ne zen
dency Is run 10 IN this matter Is II WIS
- to augment this by encouraging hopes ol sho
"a den wealth expected Cow from magnificent scheme
or dependent upon the action OF Congress
al Does the spirit, which has produced such results
f need TO be stimulated checkedf Is It not The bel
- ter rule TO leave all these works TO private enter
~ prise, regulated, and, when eXpedIenf, aldea' u
-, the cooperation o States II constructed by pr
~ capital the stmulant and the check 20 'oseFhe
and furnish salutaTy restraint against sppcHaIlV
10 schemes and extrava gance. But II IS manifest Una
- with the effective guards, there is danger o gf
g. ing too fast and too far.
III We may we'll pause before proposition co"tF't
- pating simultaneous movement Tor the coh>'Ih'
lion of railroads which, in extcEt viii equal, eXct
- sIvp of the great Pacific road and all its bfanchq
nd nearly one-third the entire length OF such worn
cf now completed, in the United States and which ca
not cost, with equipments. less than one hundred
90 fifty millions of dollars. The dangers likely TO
suit from combinations of interests OF this characu
ra can hardly be oyer-estimated.
-, But independently of these considerations, whf
es is the accurate know ledge, the comprehensive
telliaence which shall discriminate between the
IN Iatiye claims of these twenty-esht proposed roads
re- eleven States and one Territory W here VIII
begin, aud where end? 1t 10 enable these cong
Of MES TO execute their proposed works, II Is neces
v that the aid Of the general government be prunaE
SO given the policy will present problem so cong
he hensive in bearings, and important to our POI
,s cal and social welI-being, to claim, IN antei
ba ton the severest analysis. Entertaining these vie
he ! recur with satisfaction Ia the experience ana
ed tion Of the last of congress- as furnIshngA
p surance that the subject VIII not fail TO elicit q
III ful re-exauinatlon aud rigid scrutiny
ant 1t my intention To present, on ms occaf
the some suggestions regarding internal luproVeuF
oov hy the general government, which want of tlmF
f the close o. the last session prevented my submit
on the return TO the House OF representatives, n
,r+ objections of the bill entitled SAN act making
er preparations for the repair, preservation ana cop
lie ton Of certain works heretofore commenced y
nm authority of law; - but the space IN this como
the cation already occupied with other matter OF 'n
ing diate public eXgeucy, cOnsrans m@ to TeserseE
hlp subject for a special message, WHICH wl be 2
or mitIed to the houses ot Congress at an early
and The Judicial establishment of the United
de- requires modification, and certain reforms 70
eep manner Of conducting the legal business oi fhs
ar vernment are also much needed; but as | have
ip dressed you upon both of these subjects al lensf
nee fore, have only to call your attention TO tne
cen gestions then made. l.
LaI NV former recommendations, in relation TO
cen Bile provision for various oblrcts Of deep lntere
and the inhabitants OF the District OF Columbia. az
the newed. Many of these objects partake largely
TOR. national character, and important lndepehd
aus OF Their relation 10 the prosperity OF the only g
, on cradle organized community IN the Union, en
unrepresented in Congress.
+ have thus presented suggestions such su
ON as appear to be OF particular interest q
inc portance and therefore most worthy OF cons
be- ton during the short remaining period aliott
,ere the labors of the present congress
weT Our iorelalherS Oh 'ue thi'tee" Ttt II
ou- in acquiring their independence, and in toundin
Republic of the United States Of America, hay
,ich volved upon U.S. their descendants The creates
re- tAe inosl 1oo'c '"s' ~ - N1'" III
inch man, imposing upon dli' anu e>Pr''".,y 80
of public will may have invested, for the time
n of with political functions, the most sacred obig