The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-10

House OF representatives JuhV loot'
The House being in the Committee Of the Whole on the
state OF the Union
Mr. HENDRICKS said;
Mr. CHAIRlAS do not rise to address the committee
mon the subject Of the bin introduced by the gentleman
from California [Mr. McDoUGALL providing for the con-
srueon OF a railroad TO the Pacific desire 70 address
he committee in reference the public lands Upon this
bin however viii only say that as now understand II
will not give il my support. am as anxious that such
measure shall be brought forward as ihat can give
NV support This bin that Congress ought not
TO establish the route but that ought TO be decided upon
by the executive department OF the government at the
same time II excludes from executive consideration that
route which the section or country which represent
,ecially nterestedhe central st Louis route II II
4 proper that the executive should decide upon the route
for this great railroad it is right that that department
should be left without any restriction upon the subject
am not prepared say that the central route in which
the greater portion Of the country Is interested IL not
praccabe and until il is shown that II cannot be adopt
"a will not support bin which excludes H. have not
fine now 10 examine the other provisions Of the bill
Long after the tariff shall cease 10 ngate the country
the pubc lands will remain subject OF deep and endur
inc peros was the prohecy of Mr. Clay That prophecy
has been fulfilled The democratic doctrine that revenue
il the only proper and legitimate purpose OF taxation has
been acqacsced in by all parties and become fixed
policy The tariff is longer subject of party strife
But The public doman-the other of national rev
enue-is subject of constantly increasing interest and
controversy And upon other question of general CON
Germ public opinion unsettled and the policy Of the
government unixed In reference to IL the different
sections the country supposed TO have opposing in
eress and hence the many and conflicting propositions
for its management and disposition The lands now
asked by every interest and for almost every purpose by
States and corporations by colleges and asyums by acad
emies and schools by Spectators and citizens They
asked for public and private enterprises for religion and
for railroads for charity and for education for homes and
for monopoes Every interest great and small every enter
PRISE good and bad is camoring for the public lands.
Sir in the midst of this confusion that policy wisest
and best which is nearest the intention and spirit of the
constitution.
The many measures to which | have alluded may be
classed under of two general propositions first
give lands upon easy terms to settlers and second dis
tribute them among the States. for the former and
against the latter proposition Being in favor of cheap
lands to the settler cannot be for distribution among the
States The measures incompatible; they stand
together II is not my purpose give the Of
my support of the homestead bill did not think that
bill free from objection. thought then, think now, that
better sustained by principle better for the govern
men and better for the settler after he has made settle
menn good faith to allow him to pay the government what
the land cost her. and receive his patent and become
eehode at once rather than require him to remain upon
the land for five years government tenant without title
and without power to sell earnestly labored TO
for him this privilege The government should specu-
late upon the homes she to the people, but the
other hand ought the citizen to receive valuable property
from the government without making any return The
cost is small not quite twenty-five cents per acre. easily
paid by the settler and the patent him tho right
and independence Of freehoder. supported both the
homestead bills which passed this House-not that
thought them without objection as | have said but be-
cause they seemed the best could then get for
the settler; but will say TO gentlemen with whom then
voted that fear before "home for the homeless
and lands for the landess must adopt the better pol
icy and sounder principle Of cost payment and patent upon
satiemsnt s..e
Bat sir il is the other and opposing scheme Of disribu-
ting the public lands among the States, which wish now
discuss This measure pressed upon Congress in two
bills The first proposes distribute ten millions of acres
among the States and Territories for the support of the
INDECENT insane has passed both branches Of Congress
but has been returned TO the Senate with the Presidents
veto The other bll introduced into this House by the
gentleman from New York [Mr BENNETT Is now pending
and proposes distribute among nineteen of the States
thrtythree millions four hundred and fifty thousand acres
FOR the support Of schools the construction Of railroads
canals or for other public national purposes II pro-
poses to divide these lands among the nineteen States in
proportion to their representation in Congress giving
hundred and fifty thousand for each senator and rep
resentave. The two bills would distribute among the
States foryhree millions four hundred and fifty thousand
acres OF the public lands
am opposed 70 the entire scheme To provide for the
destitute poor and educate their children 10 educate the
blind and the deaf and dumb and to provide for the ind
gent insane are obligations upon government which free
~ recognise and TO which cheerfully respond But sir
upon what government do these obligations rest Upon
he federal or State govcrnmcnts2 When honored with
se n the legislature Of my State supported the bills
proVdng Tor popular education and public charity But
when asked to do the thing here ! cannot do IT.
Inc duty and power Of Congress do not extend TO these
subjects jurisdiction them being conferred by
e constitution upon Congress is expressly retained the
states The power dispose OF the public lands is given
oy Inc constitution to Congress in very general and com
phensye terms but this cannot be made 10 include other
ana important powers and in its exercise we cannot as
sumo jurisdiction otherwise denied.
me power being conferred exclusively upon Congress
e uu 70 exercise II and wisely dispose Of the lands
necessarily results but ask the friends Of this measure
the discharge Of that duty is the end and object sought
not 70 provide education and charity in the States
Arc these bills supported for the purpose Of making wise
disposition Of the lands and dscharQnQ the trust under
winch the government holds them and is Il truly Incl
ue 10 that that you provide education and charity IN
he Satesf No, sir. The friends Of the are
conscious as am that the real aim and object 70 pro-
vac education and charity and make railroads in the
o and that the grant Of the lands is the pretex the
means used TO accomplish the end By such sophstries In
legislation federalism once sought 10 extend The powers Of
s government and give II controlling influence in the
oues oongress has power to collect and appropriate
one out VINO VIII claim that the general power TO ap
Poprate Is without restriction and that Congress may
appropriate money 10 purposes moi contemplated In the
oonsumuon The power TO dispose of the lands Is not
general and comprehensive than the power of appro-
png money yet IT is claimed that the latter is limited
uu restricted to objects within the jurisdiction OF this
government and the former Is not This Is not sound
restrict the other 80 ~
Under the power Of collecting and keeping money. II
was once held that Congress might establish national
oans and that doctrine and construction prevailed until
exposed by President Jackson Banking was the real oh
the public moneys safely but pretext The
OBJECT not being within the purposes and powers OF
ne government the pretext could not make the measure
constitutional and he vetoed IT, The doctrine that pow
conferred upon Congress should not be used TO cover
" ue exercise OF powers not conferred gave his admins
uauon nv the time much Of its strength and has since
gwen great influence in the country Sir by the late
'eo o. The bill giving lands TO the States for the support
ne insane the government has been brought back 10
a m position Although may not be able to concur with
% resident IN All OF his positions and reasoning vet
4 endorse the veto II viii give his administration high
position in the country
WI not further discuss the question OF the mower on
ny 81 congress to distribute the public lands among
nEnAHaa IL