The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-03-12

the object OF The federal government its nature and the
extent TO which us powers were to be applied and these
explanations undoubtedly had powerful effect Ulti-
maley the States of this Union adopted this national
COVER Ii is national government, but established
by free and independent States, BY express compact
deesang special powers OF government. and subectng
il 10 all the restrictions upon lis powers which are ex-
pessy imposed by the terms OF the grant, or which arise
by implication from the mode in which II WAS organized
Mr.. President, have now expressed, rs briefly rs
could, the views which entertain IN reference TO The
true construction OF the federal constitution say then,
that ii bill is proposed which appropates either land
moneyand cannot that The land OF the govern
meni Is mol the came as the money OF the government
for purpose which is strictly municipal purpose, for
purpose which is exclusively within The jurisdiction OF
the States. must consider i, anscending the powers
OF the federal government Though tho effect 0f the ap-
preparation proposed BY the bill under consideration may
in this case be beneficial TO my own State though 1t
may ne agreeable TO my own feelings though may
earnestly desire TO institutions such are proposed
to be established by the BILL established throughout every
State OF the Union yet consent, Tor the
which have stated, TO violate what believe to be the
True and only safe construction Of the federal coaatu
| ton
Sir, had intended TO pursue the application OF these
remarks IN reference 10 an amendment which contem-
called which passed the Senate on an occasion when
was not present do not know that is strictly in or
der to do but believe that under the course which
debate usually takes in the Senate, may apply now the
principles which have laid down Perhaps am the
more justified p doing 80 from the fact that. owing 10
misapprehensm on the part oi The honorable senalor
.
TO propose amendment which amendment was sub
mied TO be proposed, and ordered TO be printed
was taken up on the first morning when was absent
from the Senate chamber, and passed without my having
an OPP oruniiy 10 explain the principle on which my
amendment rested In addition 10 that, not only was the
particular bill which the amendment submitted pass
ed, but the amendment which was general in IFS desgn
looking 10 all railroad bills entirely dsregarded not
even considered, and some eight nine bills granting
away millions OF acres, were hurried through the Senate
without my having an opportunity to explain my amend
men state my objections TO those bills as reported.
will do now it will take but very short time, and
the matter very plain and simple.
presume that almost all the members OF the Senate
who belong 10 the political party TO which am and have
been attached, will agree with me that the general gov
ernment has no power directly TO appropriate lands or
money for the purposes contemplated in those railroad
bills generally. | presume, in other words, that II s
considered now 4 admit there have been great hucua-
ons) settled doctrine OF the democratic party that the
general government cannot make appropriations out oil
the treasury for general system of internal improve
ments. ] am perfectly aware that many years ago, the
democratic party passed bills making such appropriations
to corporations, which would be voted down now and
there have been fluctuations OF opinion on this question
different times hold myself bound, therefore, by no
pecedens in that respect, but bound to adhere 70 what
believe 10 be the proper construction OF the federal con-
siution have stated that is now settled democratic
doctrine hat the general government cannot appropriate
land money for general system of internal improve
nens IN the States Honorable senators from the land
States however, say that there is distinction in
gard 70 the public lands They say that though you have
right TO appropriate the public lands TO all the States,
you may justify their appropriation 10 the States IN which
the ground that the particular Improvement enhances
the value OF the residue of the property which the gov
ernment holds as great landhoder; and that as the
government holds large quantities OF land IN the States,
would be both unjust aud inequabe Tor II 10 take nd
vantage of the Improvement in the value OF ss lands re-
sulng from The expenditure OF the capital OF State,
the capital and enterprise Of the citizens OF Stale. with
out contributing IN some way to this increased valuahon
Sir, there is great deal of equity in that distinction;
and The only question which arises in my mind is as TO
the adoption OF the mode 10 which they expect TO get at
that equity They deny the rgn OF the general govern
men TO make appropriations OF land or money for pur-
poses o general Improvement IN the States They claim
the right appropriations of land for railroads canals.
Toe individual States ia which the lands he, the
ground that Il is the duty and interest OF the government
not a government but great landholder, to con-
tribute lis proportion TO the increased value OF the lands
which II There is great force in the equity OF
this principle. Now for its application.
The bills which have been introduced model bills,
all resembling each oher provide ha, alternate sections
oil land on the line OF railroad, for distance OF SIX
miles on each sde shall granted The State which
make the road and that the even sections shall be reserved
for the benefit OF the United Safes and the minimum
price OF them doubled but this rs take effect only after
the road definitely located There further provision,
however that IT, within the distance OF six miles each
side OF the road the lands have been previously taken
BY peemponers or BY any other persons under the su
ihoy OF the United States the State shall be entitled
go nine miles further ck each sde for the pur-
pose OF making up the deficiency That s intended 10
secure her. that she shall receive the full benefit OF
the grant which is made Now what is the correative
advantage secured TO the United States as the laDdhoder
for il is upon the principle that will be an advaniaget to
tle government tnese APPROXIMATIONS
claimed Why, the United States 10 have their
remuneration in the increased price of what remains OF
the even secuo~s within miles on each side OF the
road Take The case of the bill which passed the
other day for the State of LOUISIANA and the effect
striking In that State nearly all the public lands have
been offered for SALE and in the interim between the time
which you pass the bill making the grant, and the pc
Rod OF when the location oil the route IL definitely
fixed SPECTATORS have the hight TO enter upon these lands
al the rate OF 81 IS an acre, and take Them up and as
the route is known, the managers of the affair will take
up all those lands which nominay reserve TO the
government at 81 50 The result therefore. ia
that the State gets the benefit o the grant, and the land
holder actually makes only nominal reservation, and
will receive any benefit because all the reserved
lands will be gone before the route - definitely located
That will and must be the practical effect The prov@-
ion exists ia the bills which have passed. neither
benefits the settler the government but II enables the
labor II sm and increases The spirit OF specua-
ton in the public lands already serious evil and re-
qurng restraint instead OF encouragement.
What, then was my offer, az contained IN my proposed
amendment We have been told by senators on this
floor, in TO objections such AZ have mentioned
that experience has indicated that the government sales
have been increased by this and that the United
States have received greater amount from the reserved
sections in cases Than they would have received
from the whole, II the alternate sections had not been
granted TO the States for the purpose OF aiding N The con-
sEucion oi railroads. do not deny the truth OF these
allegation No specific statements have been made;
bat has generally ans broadly asser,ed that the
interests OF the government landbolder, have been
benefited because the value oil the reserved lands has
been greatly increased and the sales by the government
have been enhanced ia consequence of the construction
OF these roads Admitting all this TO be 40, what
the amendment which intended to SUBMIT Now beg
10 call the attention of senator's 10 IL and TO ask them