The daily union., 1854-03-04

think, therefore, that not only have the power bat
that, as question OF justice 10 the new and to the old
States, we ought 10 exercise that power
There is still provision which was introduced into
this bill two or three days ago which caused hesi-
tate as 10 whether could vote for a. Ii the amend
ment introduced by the senator from California Mr.
GwIN excepting that State from the general operations
oil the bill II struck at the time that was hardly
iar 10 gave any State the honor and advantage
The rest by excepting II out OF the general provisions OF
law like This That there reasons for this excep-
ton now existing is true beyond all question: but these
reasons nusl pass away alter few years. The amend
men authorizes California to locate her land upon any
OF the unoccupled and unsuryeyed territory within her
ilml,s. NOW, s mere are unsuryeyed and unoeeupled
lands within the limits of other States oil the Union
Indiana, Wisconsin,, Arkansas, and perhaps others Why,
then, this exception in favor oil particular State My
State for instance must necessarily take the land which
is given 10 her from that which has already been offered
10 public sale which command but dollar and
quarter per She must take that kind OF land,
while every one who knows anything about the public
land knows that there is vast deal OF fine land that
not subject 10 private entry so that you allow State
10 select land that has not been brought into market she
will be able 10 procure lands OF Infinitely more value.
say, did think this unjust and al first thought
would Withhold my vote, and not vote either Tor or
against the bills but upon reflection seeing that this pro.
vision does not aliect the interests OF my State IN
| any way, have determined to vote Tor the BILL simply
explaining That IN doing 80 do not mean To approve OF
the principle mbodied in that amendment do not con-
slider II an hsuperable barrier TO my support OF the bill
Regarding all the States upon footing OF equality in
reerenceto to this and all other bills OF general character,
III cannot approve OF any exception in favor of partcu.
lar State But California is said. cannot get her lands
for time TO unless you make this exception
1t appears TO me that IN all probability much before she
would be able to get them. Long before she is as old
Mississippi for instance, she would doubtless be en-
abled 10 derive all the benefits OF this bill. STILL that is
not an nsnperabe objection 10 me and without detain-
ing the Senate further will only say, that having given
the bill that attention and reflection which could be-
stow, am prepared 10 vote Tor IT.
| Mr. BUTLER. Consistently with the opinions have
heretofore entertained, and the vote which have given
on this very bill, must be allowed TO give the reasons
why shall oppose It, more particularly since | have
| spp, [Mr. BRowNl The intention OF this bill is good
think il looks TO justice, and has in it the spirit of equal
ty which approve, and far suhserve the ends
OF beneyoence, if could substitute my discretion for
constitutional authority, might 60 for the bill. But
cannot compromise my principles; and think that this
will be the most dangerous bill lar regards the dis.
position OF the public lands that has been passed,
because tits precedent dictated under auspices and in
uences which IT is very acult TO resist and when
the precedent Is made lhnk others will follow it.
Now, sir, cannot how Congress disregard the
limitations OF the constitution, and say that in dsposing
OF the public lands give them for this or that
pose, according TO It's judgment. Why, sir do not know
how many grants have been made Tor the disposition OF
the public land AT infe they asked and granted
for the purpose OF cutting canal around the Falls OF ST.
Mary's, and the appropriation based upon the
power SO large sum OF money was obtained ior the
Collins steamers upon the same ground This bill pro-
poses TO distribute them among tie States and is put
upon the ground OF benevolence. Another is intro
duced 10 give alternate sections within fifteen miles, and
put upon the ground of regulating commerce Another,
itself into thus that the congressional discretion of the day
shall supersede the limitations q the constitution
Now, sir, take this broad ground that Congress has
delegated 10 il the authority dispose of the public lands
Tusee and having taken upon il that responsibility
il cannot dives, itself OF that responsibility by throwing
back upon the States Here is so much money in the
easuyianas, assets committed TO this be ad
mlnstered according to the obligations OF the constitu
ton Now, how Congress undertake 10 dives, itself
OF all this responsibility, and throw back these
these lands and all matters which committed TO its
dgment-excluslvey upon the Satesi Sir, State
rights man. and proud man, not choosing TO accept
charity upon the terms that Congress may dictate deny
that Congress has night TO give 10 the State OF South
Carolina any money, and tell her what TO do with it.
If were 10 accept II at all, would do as fair dis
rbuton OF the public funds arising from the land But
if you give 10 South Carolina, Indiana and Michi
gan, and say these States You may appropriate il for
the purpose OF taking OF the poor and insane, what
limit pray, there TO your disposition OF it, If you
have right TO dispose OF the public land for the purpose
OF relieving the poor, for establishing military academies
or for establishing schools. there is discretion except
a discretion within the sphere OF our judgment And
that pretty enlarged sphere where the judgment may
prescribe the nitsa pretty wide sphere Tor your oper
aiions recolect my friend from North Carolina Mr.
BADGERl was once discussing an appropriation which he
understood TO be five hundred dollars and he said that
was little enough. Some one Immediately said IL
| fifty dollars So much the better, said he
Now, with regard TO this latudnarian proposition pre-
scnbRg 10 The States what they shall do with the appro
priaon, consider il one OF the most dangerous and
nschieyous principles that could be devised Iiit
proposition 10 give the lend for military academy un-
der the war-declarng power, might very well vote for
IT, on the ground that these academies were the nurseries
OF officers preparing them for the duty OF defending
the country That would have sembanee of con-
sututionaty. But know jurisdiction Of Congress
over the insane the poor. Isit national obecti Is
local charity 10 be controlled BY Legislative beneyoenee
and is the constitution TO have limitations but such
the benevoence of this body can dictate
/ The senator from Michigan [kr. STUERTl made the
remark yesterday that these lands ought 10 the settled by
men who had hearts and hands and yet sir, whilst
felt the full force OF that proposition, knew that he
could not consistently with himself take the position
without coming in conflict with many other propositions
for which he has voted Are corporations railroads and
steam -engines such tenants have hearts and hands
have always understood that corporations had souls
and set the senator will vote lands io these corporations
10 make railroads AT time, and For al another
And senators now voting the lands for the insane
and, take II all in all, know o limit in the dEtribu
ton except that OF legislative discretion and am not 90
ing 10 trust the dlscretioR OF any man repeat IL YOU
adopt this, there Is no limitation 1t all, am sorry
10 have 10 vote against This bill and shall DO il more
reluctantly Than against any other measure that has
been brought before Congress, tor II a evidently an equa
Just, and benevolent measure.
! Mr.. BROWN. would ask my friend whether he did
not vote for the bounty land bill
Mr.. BUTLER. What bounty-land bll
Mr., BROWN. Granting lands 10 the soldiers OF the
war Of 1912
Mr.. BUTLER. have never heard Of the bin yet j,
has not come up
1 Mr. BROWN. Many OF my cons sltuens have got land
under Il u was bill granting bounty land to The sol.
ders Of 1912, and OF all the indian wars Ny object in
asking The senator the question this When we
passed that bill, certainly did propose TO pay
debt which the government owed. The soldiers who
had performed the service fully paid off and dis,
charged long since Thirty years afterwards Congress