The daily union., 1854-03-03

gress granted the sixteenth section in every township to
the States that were admitted lately, aud now the
thirty sixth section also, for school purposes, and give
moi less than seyenytwo sections 10 the State ior the
purposes OF universities outright Now, | would Ike
TO Know the distinction upon constitutional principles Be-
tween that and this. II there is any am unable TO
But Mr. President. subscribe TO the reason that is
assigned for the passage OF This bill appeals to my
synpathies; il appeals 10 my heart well as 10 my
head And while intend ever that my head shall 10
proper extent regulate my heart, do intend that
my head shall act very much without my heart
do not intend any heightened remarks upon this sub
ect have only 10 say that the bill has been carefully
drawn in all respects, as think Il certainly underwent
most rigid scrutiny and investigation ID the Committee
on Public Lands. Several suggestions which emanated
from myself adopted BY the committee, so that in
no event can this fund be diverted, the States IN
which no public lands lie be owners OF public lands in
the States where they DO he The fund cannot be d,
yerled II there be any fraud practsed in dsposng of
the scrip there express provision OF the bill that
patent shall be issued Tor the land on which that scrip
shall be located. Everything has been done by this bill
which seems 10 me can De done 70 secure the fund Tor
the objects intended,
And now. sir, is that new The senator.rom Virginia
complains Of this part OF the bill He says that he pre-
rather than such fund this, because be says this bill
follows the fund into the hands of the States and con-
trolls its disposition The thing is true of the school
lands and The university lands and will Congress make
donation and institute fund fer State and not secure
proper appropriation OF that fund! Will it leave il 10 the
whim OF anybody' Never, sir. 1t is secured in every
Dill that KNOW anything ABOUT congress
utes fund, and Congress will see to il that no State
which holds that und IN suhserviency 10 It's own power
shall have the privilege or opportunity 70 divert IT,
single word in reply TO the suggestion OF the honor
able senator IN reference TO the distribution OF the pro-
ceeds of The sale of The public lands, and have done.
understood to be opposed on account OF want
OF constitutional power but as one OF the most mpoltic
things that could be done You have myriads OF Offices
and every mans hands some OF this money has 10 be
placed pay him Tor his services You collect the fund.-
and you distribute it, and the whole cost of collecting and
ka.i tba II
therefore had the effect to keep up the price Of the pub
lie lands, which against the interests OF the
States for undoubtedly the true interest OF the new States
is disposition of these lands upon terms. was,
however in favor OF the graduation principle, and
to-day.
MI DOUGLAS Will the senator allow me 10 sug-
gest to him that il is past o'clock, and
MIR. STUART / will be through in half minute
say am in favor OF that principle oday. Bu | have
seen il again and again put down in committee and in
Congress am therefore, Tor the earliest disposition OF
these lands that be made, without any Infringement
upon The constitution, that shall induce the settlement
and occupancy OF them by the people who constitute the
strength. they will the peDanency, OF this govern
men These, briefly, are my reasons why support this
MIR. BADGER desire to say three words upon the
subject OF the bill under consideration. II believed
with the from Virginia Mr.. MAsoNl that this
bill the first step to an interference with the domes
tic administration and police OF the States, should cer-
ainly be strongly opposed to il as he But permit me
to say to the honorable senator that there is nothing
ercve or compulsory in the bill upon the table Ii does
not undertake to control any State, and require that
that State shall take the lands which this bill tenders to
IT, Ii is offer to each State OF much public land TO
be applied a certain purpose, without any attempt to
control the States in the acceptance OF the fund And
seems to that the honorable senator might well
say that be would have cause 10 complain that
of vast possessions in the country should tender him
hundred thousand dollars 10 be invested in stocks, and
The Ecome TO be applied 10 the maintenance and appor
oning Of his daughters, an attempt TO invade the do
mestic management of bis family.
Mr.. MASON. II the senator will allow me, does be
not think would have cause to complain If anybody
were TO offer hundred thousand dollars which had
been given 10 him in trust for other purposesa
Mr. BADGER Ii the senator had waited patiently.
intended TO say word upon that subject at another
ment. am taking the objection as he urged 1t; am
taking ii upon the ground that would be invasion
OF his domestic arrangements, the police and manage
nen OF his conceTns and say, IN answer TO The ques
ton put to me, il would involve no such invasion OF the
regulations o his family, whether the party rendering II
held in trust for other purposes or not Ii he held for
other purposes, would be violation OF his duty apply
II 10 any other than the legitimate objects OF hs us but
would involve no attempt to control the conduct or IN.
wade the privileges and rule OF The family or direct the
domestic concerns OF the individual 10 whom he offered
ii. be being perfectly at Liberty 10 refuse IT,
Now, my honorable friend from Virginia who spoke
last. Mr HUETLR,J undertook TO make consistent with
the proposition he lays down as TO the power OF giving
these lands 10 purposes OF charity, the uniform and
ablished course OF the government 10 give them to the
new States for purposes Of education, by this
that the States stood prohibited IRON taxing the
properly Of lbe government OF the United States The
within their boundaries. Well, suppose they do. II
Congress has the constitutional power to apply the
lands TO purposes oil education or charity that power
be conferred acquired because prohibit State from
taxing her landi
Mr.. HUNTER Allow me a single word 10 explain
my view as do not want to reply TO the argument. My
idea that the government OF the United States contrib
uies its school sections land only II stands in two
relations to the States One is, the general govern
ment under which there is such power and the other
is as land owner, IN which II is bound to contribute its
quota portion TO objects OF general interest
Mr. BADGER, Well, then, suppose il be so. II the
general government contributes land. owner wha,
right have we 10 tie it up 10 purposes OF education III
we It to State consideration for our propeta-
~ interest which is unaxed, how do we gain the right
10 apply il 10 colleges and schools, anything else BY
that principle the government stands in the attitude of
debtor and should pay II to the CREDITOR 10 be applied as
the creditor thinks proper Where does the senator get
the constitutional power Tor than another
admit the honorable senator assigns very good reason
why the power should be exeried il exists, but un
doubtedy the fact which he has stated coners power
that would not exist independently.
Another word in reference to these donations OF the
public lands Gentlemen say cannot make donations
of them. How. sir, do they reconcile that proposition
with the donations which we every day make to the new
Staes We make them for the purpose OF enabling them
10 construct canals and railroads. aud to prosecute other
purposes of internal improvement Sir, bavs heard Il
said twenty times IN this Senate tba, these not do
nations that the United States, by giving alternate
lions, double the value OF the sections that remain 10 the
United States Well admit that is a good reason for
making The donation but does it alter The character of
the transaction Is II not a donation still II man
having two adjoining lots OF land makes me a present
OF one, upon the caculat on that by my improving it,
will make the remaining twice valuable TO him.
that may be motive which influences HIM pruden,
80. -. !, l.rI Il