The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-01
The Public Lands Mr.. Disney's Report.

Few documents have been or will be submitted TO the
present Congress which will attract much public at
tenton the report from the Committee on Public
Lands, made few days since to the House by Mr. Dis
ney its chairman The subject is in which the pub-
lie have lively interest; and although Mr.. Dsney's
report is made upon specific proposition TO donate lands
for TIE benefit OF the insane yet 1t discusses the general
principles involved in all similar propositions, and may
therefore be regarded as indicative of the position Of the
majority of the committee the general question OF APP
proprating The public lands Mr. Disney presents the
constitutional points involved with concseness and
clearness He draws the line between appropriations OF
land which sanctioned by the constitution and those
which not plainly, that the rule proposed by the
committee cannot be misunderstood. The following is
the report OF the majority of the committee submaed
by Mr. Disney:
The Committee on Public Lands 10 whom was referred
The "bl king grant OF public lands TO the several
States and Territories OF the Union for the benefit Of
INDECENT insane PERSONS" have had the under
consideration, and ask leave 10 report:
That they unite with The friends OF the bill in an ap
probation OF the merits OF the object which the pro.
posed grant is intended 10 be applied and il those
merits could alone determine the conclusions of the COM
mit,ee they would most cordially recommend the passage
OF the bill In the Judgment OF your committee, how
there other considerations which demand at
enton before they can come 10 that conclusion. The
general government is one OF limited powers. At its
formation the respective States, separate but ndepend
ent communities were amply empowered 10 regulate and
provide Tor all matters within their liGts, but sense OF
weak ness as against foreign powers mpelled them
confederation, and the formation Of government com
peent to the general protection. To this end. and for
this purpose, special powers conferred upon il
But while the States conceded The authority which was
deemed necessary 70 The ends Tor which Il formed.
they each retained within themselves all the pow.
ers necessary 10 the independent management and
control of matters not involving the interests of
the citizens OF the other States Competent "a they
we 10 all m IN
tablsh government which should provide Tor lie in
terests OF the confederation IN lis aggregate capacity
and jealous OF their separate pendence the States
reserved 10 themselves, respectively, all power not re
cessary the general government for the end for which
il was formed This limitation Of power In the hands
oil the federal government, except far specifically
granted denies 10 il all authority 10 in relation TO the
domestic affairs OF the several States and has established
the only solid foundation for the pepeuaion OF the fed.
eral Union Under this principle ls limits may forever
be extended and It's safety preserved Various and even
conflicting habits, CUSTOMS and local interests in the dit.
eren States will be protected by their legislatures and
are 10 no danger OF being ovedden by thu federal gov
eminent; and If each keeps within s sphere
the prosperity OF the States will be secured and The in
,erests OF the Union will be enlarged Such is the sym.
mey OF our government It's very existence depends upon
s adherence to the limitation OF ts duties Within
that has power but 10 bless beyond H. il has no
power but 10 ruin. This limitation s The anchor Of
our safety; when fails, II will involve the ruin OF the
republic.
II the general government possessed the power 10
make grants for local purposes within the States its ac
ton IN that respect would have limitation but such as
policy or necessity might impose Every metorious oh.
ect would have right TO demand II, and TO such re.
fusa could Only be justified by inability Every local
object for which local provision is now made would
press for support upon the general government and
would create demands upon beyond its power TO meet
and OF necessity would be driven into the policy which
would increase its means. As iis expenditures arr In
creased the must be enlarged and the general
government by the adoption Of the policy. would levy
upon the people OF the Union for the support OF The
local interests OF the States II their expenditures .bond
be unequay appofoned, the injustice of taxing q par,
for the benefit OF others would the system To
be overthrown. II they equally distributed il
wsud be but usurpation OF the function of The States
unsusaoed even by The plea Of economy The patronage
would be fatal TO the Independence OF the States with
patronage comes The power TO control,
follows upon cause II the policy is embarked in what
shal be ne imilsf Shall the merit Of The object and the
ability OF The government be the boundaries OF its action
Ioleed me hungry aad coibe the naked il within its
competency would, IN moral point of view be quite as
metorous ms any other act which The government could
perform but IT the constitution had granted power for
such purpose, would be polite for Congress 10 make
provision Tor The suffering poor throughout the Union
ether lands or money could be granted for the indi
gent insane, could they not, and ought they not 10 be
granted to the freezing and starving poor II to one
merorous object, why not to another Or aha The ac-
on OF Congress in this regard be extended 10 every use
to public and private purpose within the Slales III not
where shall the line be dawni II the principle be ad
ni''ed, what shall limit is application
Your committee have failed 10 perceive how they could
be justified in recommending grant from the general