The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-05-04


to provide for expenditures in the States BY Of the
public lands even TO the degree Of deaying the salaries
Of governors judges and all other expenses d the gov
ernment internal administration within the several
States The conclusion from the general survey Of the
whole subject is my mind irresistible and closes the
question, both of right and Of expedeney FAR
CARDS the principle Of the appropriation proposed IN this
bill Would not the admission OF such power in Com
gres to dispose Of the public domain work the practical
abrogaon Of Of the important provisions Of
the constitution If the systematic reservation Of def
mite portion OF the public lands the sixteenth secton 10
the States for The purpose Of education and occasional
grants for similar purposes be cited eontradetng these
conclusions the answer appears me- is obvious and
satisfactory Such reservations and grants besides being
part OF the conditions which the proprietary right Of
the United States is maintained along with the eminent
domain Of particular State, and by which the public
land remains free from taxation in the State in which it
lies, long il remains the property OF the United
States the acts of landowner dsposing Of
small share Of his property in way to augment the
value of the residue and in this mode encourage
early occupation Of it by the industrious and intelligent
pioneer
The great example of apparent donation Of lands the
States likely be relied upon sustaining the principles
of this BILL is the REIMBURSEMENT of swamp lands to the
States in which they situated but this also like other
grants already referred to- based expressly upon
grounds clearly dstinguishable in principle from any
which be assumed for the bill herewith returned viz
upon the interest and duty of the proprietor They were
charged, and without reason be nuisance to the
inhabitants of the surrounding country The measure
predcated only upon the ground of the disease
inflicted upon the people Of the States which the Uni
ted States could justify just and honest pro-
prietor but also upon express limitation of the ap-
pcaton of the proceeds in the first instance to pur
poses of and drains thus protecting the health
Of the inhabitants and, at the time enhancing
the of the remaining lands belonging to the general
government II is not to be denied that Congress- while
administering the public lands proprietor within the
principle distinctly announced in my annual message may
sometimes have failed distinguish accurately between
objects which are and which within its constitu
tional powers.
After the most careful examination find but two
ampes in the Congress which furnish any precedent
for the present BILL and those examples will in my opin
ion serve rather as warning than nducement to
tread in the path.
The first is the act of March 3D. 1919 granting town
ship of land to the Connecticut asylum for the education of
the deaf and dumb.
The second that Of April 5th, 1926 making similar
grant of land the Kentucky asylum for teaching the deaf
and dumb
The first more than thirty years after the adoption Of the
constitution the second than quarter of
fury ago.
These acts were unimportant the amount appropri
ated and so far as ascertain, passed two
grounds first that the object charitable one and,
secondly that il national To say that it was char
table object is only to say that it was an object OF ex-
pendture proper for the competent authority but it
tended show that it proper object Of expend
by the United States than any other purely local
object appealing to the best sympahies of the human
heart in any Of the States And the suggestion that
school for the mental culture of the deaf and dumb in
Connecticut kentucky national object only shows
loosely this expression has been used when the pur
pose procure appropriations by Congress 1t not
perceived school of this character is otherwise
onal than is any establishment of religious moral in
structon All the pursuits Of industry everything which
promotes material intellectual wel-beng of the
race every of corn or ball of cotton which grows
national in the sense Cor each of these things
to swell the aggregate Of national prosperity and
happiness of the United States but IL conounds all mean
ing of language say that these things national
equivalent to federal within any of the
classes Of appropriation for which Congress is authorized
by the constitution to legislate.
II is marked point in the history Of the constitution
that when proposed to empower Congress TO
tablish university, the proposition confined TO the
district intended for the future OF government Of the
United States, and that that proposed clause was
omitted in consideration OF the exclusive powers conferred
Congress TO legisate for that district Could more
decisive indication Of the and the spirit
Of the constitution in regard all matters Of This nature
have been gyen II proves that such objects were con-
sdered by the convention appcraining local egsa-
ton only that they not eomprehended, either ex-
pressy by implication in the grant Of general power to
Congress and that consequently they remained with the
several States.
The general result at which have arrived Is the neces-
sary consequence Of those views Of the relative rights
powers and duties Of the States and Of the federal gov
eminent which have long entertained and often express
cd and In reference TO which my convictions do but in
crease in force with time and experience
have thus discharged the unwelcome duty Of respect
fully stating my objections this BILL with which cheer
fully submit the whole subject the wisdom Of Congress
FRANKLIN PIERCE
WASHINGTON, May 3, 1854.
AFRICAN rRopucs.-We yesterday some African
cotton and specimen Of camwood from Liberia by
George lloyd colored man. (well known among our cot
ton merchants rs cotton sampcr) TO David Of