The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-01

GUS The means OF the general government are taken
from The people II you take from the public lands Won
mus give II money ~ the stead ii you destroy lis Ieya
nue. from that source, must Increase IL In Other
No more expensive mode could be devised 10 suppor
local institutions than 10 mske the federal goyerpmsn,
the agent TO raise and distribute the means With H.
States lies The power necessary their manag emen and
control With the States lies the power 10 secure ibs
economical administration OF the funds and 10 deiarnia
the amount which prudence will allow 10 be expendsS
10 their support and ii these institutions are supposI
by means raised BY the authority OF the States no Dns
tce be inflicted upon the people OF the other Sass
State provision between the States would be iust from
necessity, and from interest II would be economical
The appropriation asked for is in lands but your
committee discover in this regard no difference h
tween appropriation in lands one in money tbs
effect is precisely the same in both II the reyepus
from the public lands is destroyed, the deficiency mus
be met by taxes the people The public domain h.
longs all the people OF the United States; their inter
is common and the government is but the trustee
for the common benefit limited in lis action over il "a
those powers conferred by the constitution 1t ia pan
of the public funds and be devoted to no puposs
forbidden TO the money CT the federal government II
Congress impars its value It must receive compensa
ton, it will be fabess TO ila trust The public good
forbids the government from exorting from the pur
chaseI's necessities eyorbitan price for the public
lands; but, while the public welfare limits it reason
able action in this respect the public rights demand that
some compensation should be exacted, and such rea
sonabe revenue be secured from the public domain as
without being oppressive upon the purchasers should
be equitable toward those who do not obtain the en-
joymen OF the soil Such the principles the recog.
milton OF which justice mpeTatively demands As land
holder the government may legitimatey bear share Of
the burdens imposed to create an Improvement which
will enhance the value OF it's domain, and may contribute
TO that end yet It's aid must be limited within the exen,
which does not require taxation to effect it, II may
matter OF power Or right contribute portions OF the public
lands TO improve the value of the remainder; but even
in this. sound policy and its duties towards the general
welfare will limit il to a healthy and reasonable extent
Reasonable donations towards improvements which
cause increased value in the adjacent lands conso
nant with wise and Just administration OF the public
domain Such donations increase and do not impair the
value Of the trusts buta gift which reduces the value of
the public lands is in violation of the benefcarys rights
The donation OF section sixteen for the support OF the
township schools nducement TO purchasers, and
enhanced The value OF the adjacent lands, the sale Of
which indemHlhed the government Tor the donation
which IT made. So. too, the donation Of the salines
The facilities Tor obtaining sal, among the first OBJ
ects OF the early settlers upon the public lands. and the
donation OF the salt springs and adjacent land to cause
their being worked, was powerful inducement to the
pioneers OF the West The grants 10 the new States
upon their admission into tho Union upon condi.
tons which than Unidentified the government
The swamp-lan grant was justified, because It was 10
remove nuisance which injured the pubic and the gov
eminent the proprietor of the adjacent lands while
the grants for internal improvements brought direct Pc
cunlary profit 10 the treasury.
Your committee that few instances can be
found where the action of Congress has not been limited
TO the principles which avow; but, in our judgment,
these instances warn against them precedenls OF
wrong In extreme cases the laws are silent, but The
dent is wrong it should be condemned Ii is always an
ungraieul task TO refuse, but when duty demandsI
your committee feel that they dare not dipobey Our
sympahes impel to extend generous support towards
most OF The objects for which donations OF the public
lands are asked III our feelings could control, we
should most cordially do all that their friends could de-
sire but we live under government OF laws, and the
merit OF the object cannot justify the appropriation Of
means not our own. Want seldom inquiries into the
right OF plenty 10 gveits necessities its high
est law The ability of the general government natu
rally causes applications TO for assistance and without
nqurng into lis right comply with their de nands the
needy press upon The government for support To sup
port local institutions does not within the scope for
which the general government was formed and il II
possessed The power, your committee imagine
policy more unwise. The public domain is Of
revenue. In time OF war, il is one OF the effective
means upon which the country rely IL will secure
enlstments when money fails and, in opinion,
should indeed be careful before destroy this important
aid The public lands are watched with longing eye
four committee have now before them, exclusive OF the
cases where there is promise OF compensation, sp
pheatlons Tor grant OF land 10 establish and sup
port normal schools in each State, 10 educate young
women teachers; TO grant land 10 support DEAL
dumb, and luDauc asylums In the State oil Wis
consln; 10 grant lands for the support OF common
schools IN the different States 10 grant the proceeds Of
The public lands for the same purpose TO grant land
each incorporated college and university in the United
States 10 grant land 10 establish juvenile reform schools
IN the principal cities OF The Union 10 grant, for the
purposes OF education the unsod lands The respective
States which have been in market for number oil years
to grant 10 The old States large portions OF the public do
main; 10 giant land to support Protestant university
10 grant land to support private military schools 10 grant
the site OF Fort Atkinson for purposes Of education; and
party asks for gran, OF land to enable him carry
on iron foundry To these may be added the spplcs
tons TO increase the st OF soldiers whom bounty land
shall be given, amounting in the whole aggregate OF
something like three hundred millions OF aeresequa
the whole amount OF public lands which have been
veyed since the domain has been acquired To this
tent are the applications Shall they be encouraged
to increased Our land system has been well and happily
devised under it, injustice has been done 10 none, but
all have prospefed IL has furnished moderate revenue
without preventing The settlement and Improvement Of
the domain. New States have sprung up on H. whose
prosperity is the admiration OF the world Industry has
the price of the public lands within its REACH and the
policy which made IL has caused the wilderness not only
TO bud and blossom, but 10 bring forth fruit The new
States have been encouraged ihe old States have bad
their interests secured TIE spirit OF government has
been obeyed, and its duties kept within The limits OF the
law.
Shall all this be disregarded, and The system be over.
throwni For wbati
u the prayers OF The petitioners were granted the pro-
dgions quantities OF land which would be thrown upon
the market by competing vendors would deprive 1t Of
marketable value. The very qualification OF their wishes
would destroy the objects they have in view 10 make
the grants would be to render them OF no avail.
Your committee conclude that Congress- without
promise OF pecunlafy compensation, has no power
grant portions oil the public domain; and If II had, no
policy could be more unwlse Than grant for the
support OF local institutions within the States They
therefore, ask leave 10 report adversely 10 the indicated
bill.
All Of which is respectfully submitted
A corTsspondept Of the Rchuopd Enouiror ond,f