Washington sentinel., 1854-03-07


sort of provso was ita
wise prevent the sale Of such lands at te ainin ri
asd n The quantities, at which lands are now sold oy
the United States government"
With all due difference TO the opinions of other
gentlemen, think that il is a very sensible pro-
vso, and think that il would be calculated TO pre-
vent the public lands donated TO that State for the
purposes of internal improvements, from going
into the hands of corporations and spectators,
who would keep them out OF market, and so man
age them 10 make out of them the largest
amount of profit have tue book here with these
memorials, and, far as have observed this is
the only one-standng out isolated from all the
rest-not having the approval of the executive of
the State. If feverything was fair in regard 10 this
road, how did this happen | will tell you how
understand il came about. The secretary OF
State of Wisconsin was in favor Of unlimited
grants, and was opposed to the proviso which has
been appended by the general assembly | under
stood the governor TO say that the proviso was
taken off by in his Office, and withheld il
from publication.
Is there not enough in this case TO excite the
suspicious of this House Is there not enough
in il TO demand at our hands that the bill under
consideration should go to the Committee of the
Whole House on the state of the Union, and that
the people Of Wisconsin should have an oppor-
tunty of being heard Let the people of that
State decide whether they are for or against it,.
Let MS have time 10 send 10 the State Of Wscon-
sin and get certified copy of the memorial, as it
passed the Legislature, from the Office Of the Sec
retary of State. Give the people of the State an
opportunity Of speaking out, and see how far they
sustain the governor in the course which he has
taken in regard to this railroad BILL hope, then,
that the House, taking q lesson from what has al
ready occurred in the history of this case will refer
this bill TO the Committee of the Whole. hope
that the House, when the friends Of particular
schemes have been heard TO their own entire sat-
isfacton, will not allow the gag be applied when
any other member desires 10 raise his voice against
scheme which he believes 10 be Of doubtful
character, TO say the least of il that they will
teach this Committee on Public Lands that they
must take their chances with the other committees
in the House for the consideration and examina-
ton of their bills. There is nothing in this bill,
it strikes me, that should commend il TO the favor
able action of this House hope, sir, this is the
last time the Committee on Public Lands will at
tempt TO gag the opponents of their bills, and force
them through the House under the operation of
the previous question.
But, sir, design. at proper time, 10 offer
substitute for this bill. send it TO the Clerks
desk, and ask that il may be read in the few min
utes of my time that are yet left. Il was pre-
pared some years ago by my distinguished col
league in the other end of the capitol. Mr..
HuNTER.l think its provisions are just and WISE
and hope il will receive fair consideration from
those who are interested in the land question.
shall offer it, and see how far it will receive the
appreciation of our friends from the land States.
The Clerk then read the BILL
bill to provide for the sale Of certain portions the
public lands the States within which they e for the
purpose Of constructing railroads and canals.
Be enacted By the Senate and House Of Representatives.
of The United States of America in Congress assembled
That whenever State proposes to charter railroad
canal to through the lands Of the United States
to accept the benefit Of the provisions of this act upon due
notice Of the fact being given to the Secretary Of the Inte
or shall be his duty to set apart of the lands subject
to private entry thousand six hundred and eighty
mi of mill on
each side of said railroad that quantity of such lands
cannot be found within those limits then that amount Of
lands subject to private entry within twelve miles Of
each side Of said public shall apart by the esg
nation Of legally authorized State officers with the consent
Of said Secretary be in body and the
shall be withdrawn from private entry, by public ad
versement Of the Secretary Of the Intero except in the
price per acre Of these lands shall be one dollar and
i've cents for those which have been subject to private
have BEEN 50 subject an ten nor thsn
twenty and seventy cents for those which have
been 50 subject for more than twenty years provided
by law for other shall not be considered coming
within the provisions Of this act.
SIC. q And be further enacted, That whenever State
through which the said railway canal passes in
which the said lands e shall desire to do, it may
served ss preemption at the minimum prices herenbe
fore established, which the lands would bear when set
ns IL @ a But q s II
right them shall be forfeited either within six years
tsior Or By The time the railroad or canal Is finished il
should be compsted before the expiration Of the said six
% e
That title shall be given to the purchaser until he pre-
sens to the receiver Of the proper land Office certificate
OF purchase duly authenticated according to the law of
the State from which issues and obtains the receipt from
the said receiver for the ofthe United States
shall be sod Upon the issue the receipt the money
and certificate aforesaid the title shall be given tho
with the exception Of the certificate as Aforesaid the land
shall be entered and the title given, according to the
laws Of the United States And provided frep that IL
at the expiration Of the period beyond which the State
prohibited from entering the said lands shall expose them
all for SALE In the and upon the herein
scrbed for sales by 1t to individuals corporations that
the further time Of years shall be given to complete
the sales o said lands as Aforesaid through the land offices
SEC. 3. Ad be further enacted That the right way
for any railroad canal chartered by State to run,
through the lands Of the United States shall be given to
the State for the Of said railroad canal that in
tne eyen oL between the POSTMASTER General
ryng the mails Of the United States the matter shall be
settled by mutual agreement between the Postmaster Cen
ernl and the Of the State in which such railroad
lies and that the benefit of this only be claimed
when the charter provides by sufficient orfeures and
penalties n the opinion Of the Postmaster GENERALLY for
forcing the railroad company companies perform the
said award when in the case Of companies already
chartered the end be effected by contracts spu
lations satisfactory to the Postmaster General, s
SEC. 4. And be 1t further enacted That the lands pur
State for the construcon Of the railroad or canal for Which
they reserved but the time and Of selling
the and the mode OF appropratng them shall be deter
mined by the State itself to whom the this fund
belongs after i application to the construction of the said
public works; Prorded however That the acceptance by
the State of the benefits Of the provisions this act shall
be considered implying objection Its part to ap
proprate the said lands as prescribed in this act
SEC s. And further enacted, That this act shall take
effect from its passage.
APPENDIX
add an extract from the speech of the late
Judge Woodbury., of New Hampshire, delivered
in the United States Senate, February 90, 1880,
on the subject of the disposition of the public
lands, which is worthy of attention:
PUBLIC LANDS, SENATE february 23 1880.
Mr.. WOODBURY.. Not examining the particular kind of
sales the government make for the benefit
such grants to the States such schools receiving
virtual compensation therefor by having the rest of the
land freed from taxation merely lay down what sup
pose to be the general principle.
On that principle no reasoning has been offered which
convinces me that lands be legally appropriated any
object for which might not legally appropriate money
The lands are much the property fthc Union It's
money In the treasury The cessons and purchases of
them much for the benefit Of all the collection
Of the money The Constitution well common sense, |
TO be to recognise derence and II the money
only be appropriated To specified obect 1t follows that
the land only be appropriated Within those spcc
a. l~xt. 49, - -r