The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-14
WEDNESDAY, MARCH s. 1854.

90 motion by Mr.. FOOT, the Senate then resumed the
consideration OF the engrossed bill Is AZ making grant
OF public lands TO the several States and Territories OF
The Union for the benefit of INDECENT insane persons
The PRESIDENT stated that the question the
passage OF the BILL which the yeas and nays had been
ordered.
Mr ADAMS Mr President, before The vote is
taken propose very briefly 10 answer the questions
propounded 70 Inc yesterday by my colleague, tMr.
BRows;l and in doing shall consume as lite time
as possible, for know that u u desirable to take vote
upon this bill My colleague yesterday IN the course OF
bis remarks upon this question, inquired OF me upon
what principle the federal government could give
lands 10 State in which the lands lie, and refuse to
give them for similar purposes 10 States in which they
did not lie Sir the difference between my colleague and
myself is this; what be calls gift or gratuiiy
slider the payment of debt or grant Tor consder
alton My colleague alluded to the grants which have
been made to own State and called my attention 10
them and beg leave in very few remarks TO reply 10
each of his positions n the order 10 which they were
presented.
Fret / will allude 10 the school lands which were
granted 10 the State Of Misssspp Now, sr agree
with him that all the States o the Union have common
and an equal interest IN the public lands But while
they have equal interest in the public snds, and
equal claim have restored TO the treasury the entire
expense OF the acquisition OF public lands yet when
that done, and you come to dispose OF The surpas or
ptofls, do not consider tha, the old States have
equal claim with the States for reasons which have
been given befe time and again, and Tor CONSIDERATIONS
which have Heretofore controlled ne action OF Congress
in esefy case referred 10 But will saie in reference
The granting OF school lands TO the State OF Msslssp
~, that when Mississippi presented her constitution aud
asked admission into The Union, compact was made
between the federal government and the government OF
The State, by which IL agreed that the public lands
belonging TO the federal government should not only
be exempt from taxation while the government re-
ained the title, but that purchasers under the gov
eminent should be free from taxation on such lands
for tive yeats alter their purchase For what purpose was
this done' L was DONE sir, n inducemen TO people
to purchase these lands in consequence OF having this
right secured to them, that they should be Tree from
alton Tor five years In consideration OF this agreement
upon the part OF the State. agreed that five per cent
OF the proceeds OF the lands should be given The State,
three per cent Of which should be appropriated to The -
provement OF the roads and canals within the Siae and
per cent 10 roads leading the State; thus making
valuable all the remaining and unsod lands and every
sixteenth section was appropriated for school
purposes That was grant, II is true; bui was il gift
No, sir; it grant for consJe ration an induce
these sixteenth section school lands. and 10 pay their