Weekly national intelligencer., 1854-04-08
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.

The following Reports, relating to the disposition
Of the Public Lands will be read with general in
terest They cmanate from the majority and the
minority Of the Committee On Public Lands Of the
House Of Representatives
MAJORITY REPORT.
The Committee Public Lands, to whom was referred
the bill making grant Of public lands to the several
States and Territories of the Union for the benefit Of
dgeut insane persons" have had the under cons
deratiop, and ask leave to report:
That they unite with the friends of the bill in ap
probation of the merits Of the to which the pro-
posed grant intended TO be appied and If those me
rits could alone determine the conclusions OF the com
mitee they would cordially recommend the passage
of the bill In the judgment Of your committee, how
ever there other considerations which oemaad atten
ton before they can come to that conclusion Inc yen
eral Government is of limited powers Al It's lorna
ton the respective States separate but independent
communities amply empowered to regulate and pro-
vide for all matters within their limits; but sense OF
weakness against foreign Powers, lmpeed them to
confederation and the formation of Government compe
tent to the general protection To this end and Tor this
purpose special powers were conferred upon It. But
while the States conceded the authority which was deem
ed the ends for which 1t was formed they
each retained within themselves all the powers necessary
TO the independent management and control OF matters
not involving the interests Of the czenso Of the other
States Competent they we're to all domestic matters
they only sought to establish Government which should
provide for the interests of the Confederation in 40
Inelr separate lnde-
peudence the States reserved to themselves respectively
all power necessary to the General Government for
the end for which it formed. This limitation of
power in the hands of the Federal Government except
far specifically granted, denies to it all authority to
act in relation the domestic affairs of the several States
and has established the only solid foundation for the per-
petuation of the federal Union Under this principle its
limits may forever be extended and its safety preserved
Various and conflicting habits, customs and local
interests in the different States will be protected by their
Legislatures, and in danger Of being overrdden
by the Federal Government and if each keeps within its
appropriate sphere the prosperity of the States viii be
secured and the interests Of the Union will be enlarged
Such is the symmetry Of Government its very
stence depends upon its adherence to the mta
tion of its duties. Within that it has power but
bless beyond it. it has no power but to ruin This IL
imitation is the anchor of safety when it fails it will
involve the ruin of the republic.
If the General Government possessed the power to
make grants for local purposes within the States its
ton in that respect would have limitation but such as
policy necessity might impose. Every meritorous
objectwou!d have right to demand it, and to such
refusal could only be justified by inability Every local
object, for which local provision is made would
press for support upon the General Government, and
would create demands upon beyond its power to meet
and of necessity it would be driven into the policy which
would increase its means. As its expenditures in
creased the must be enlarged and the General
Government by the adoption of the policy would levy
upon the people the Union for the support of the
local interests Of the States II their expenditures should
be unequaly apporoned the injustice of taxing part
be oVerthroTn. they equally distributed it would
be but usurpaon Of the function of the States unsus-
tanned even by the plea of economy. The patronage
would bo fatal the independence of the States with
patronage the power to CONTROL fol-
lows upon cause. Ii the policy is embarked in, what
shall be its mits Shall the merit of the object and the
ability of the Government be the boundaries Of its action
To feed the hungry and clothe the Naked if within its
competency would in moral point of view be quite rs
mertorous any other which the Government could
perform but if the Constitution had granted power for
such purpose, would it be polite for Congress make
provision for the suffering poor throughout the Union
If either lands money could be granted for the ind
gent insane could they not and ought they not be
granted to the freezing and starving poor? If to one
II got e g. 2r sa b evs h
useful public and private purpose within the States If
not, where shall the line be DRAWN If the principle be
admitted what shall limit its application!
Your committee have failed perceive how they could
be justified in recommending grant from the General
Government in support of hospitals for the INDECENT in
sane and IN refusing for any other object equally
meritorious The Of the General Government are
taken from the people If you take from it the public
lands, you must give it money in its stead if you de-
sroy its from that source you must increase
in other No more expensive code could be devised
to support local institutions than to make the Federal
Government the agent to raise and distribute the means
With the States lies the necessary their manage
ment and control with the States lies the power to se
the economical administration of the funds and to
determine the amount which prudence will allow to be
expended in their support and if these institutions are
authority OF the States,
injustice be inflicted upon the people of the other
States State provision, between the States would be
just from necessity and from interest it would be econo
mical.
The appropriation asked for is in lands; but your COM
mtee discover in this regard difference between
appropriation in lands in money; the effect is
precisely the in both If the revenue from
tho public lands is destroyed the deficiency be met
by taxes on tho people. The public domain belongs to
all the people Of the United States their interest it is
common and the Government is but the trustee for the
benefit limited in its action those
conferred by the Constitution. 1t is part of the
public funds and be devoted purpose forbidden
to the money of the Federal Government If Congress
impairs it's value it must receive compensation, it
will be tathless to its trust The public good orbds the
Government from exorng from the purchasers necess
ties exorbitant price for the public lands; but while
the public welfare limits it to reasonable action in this
respect the public rights demand that compensa-
ton should be exacted and such reasonable be
secured from the public domain without being oppres
sive upon the purchasers should be equitable toward
those who do not obtain tho enjoyment of the soil Such
are the principles the recognition Of which Justice mpe
rativey demands As landholder the Government may
legmatey bear share Of the burdens imposed
improvement which will enhance the value of its do
MAN, and may contribute to that end yet its aid must
be limited within the extent which does not REQUIRE taxa
ton to effect it, 1t may matter of power or right
contribute portions OF the public lands improve the
value Of the remainder; but, in this sound policy
and its duties towards the general welfare will limit il to
healthy and reasonable extent Reasonable donations
towards improvements which increased value
the adjacent lands with wise and lust ad
minstration of the public domain. Such donations in
and do not impair the value Of the but gift
which reduces the value Of the public lands in violation
of the benefcarys rights The donation of section six