Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1854-07-19

the exception of the sixteenth sections called the
school sections. All other grants which have been
made for schools, colleges, and universities, have
been made in pursuance of stipulations with those
States at the time of their admission States into
the Union, and acts connected Herewith and form
ing part of that contract.
You will see how he repeats the same object under
different names, to multiply the objects OF the
grants. Here, in place, he has it for colleges
in another for seninares of learning and IN still
another for universities thus making three different
descriptions of objects for which grants have been
made. Now, it is true, the different acts do speak
of these grants; in some as seminarics Of learning
in others, colleges and universities But the pam
fact is, that whenever new State has been ADMIT
ted into the Union, there has been grant MADE TO
that State of two townships of land for the support
of colleges for the support of semnares OF learning
and for the support of universtiesall these terms
meaning the same thing; and the grants nave Dceh
of the same amount in each case. Two townships
of land no and less, to each State, and they
limited in their object to the establishment OF
an institution OF learning, called, as nave saiu' IN
some of them colleges, and in others Summaries OF
learning universities. But, after ALL 1T is grant
of two townships of land to each State when admit
ted into the Union, for the support OF an institution
of learning; and the gentleman has paraoeo then III
his speech as three different objects.
The same is the case in regard to the grants for
internal improvements and he enumerates them as
for different obects-as for roads, for river improve
ments, for internal improvements for Canals ana lot
railroads. WE'LL the truth IS, that all OF them were
grants for internal improvements, and INJURED ulrec1
y and Immediately to the enhancement OF the Pecu-
mary value of the domain owned by the Govern
ment.
He talks also, of grants to individuals, to corPor
atoms, and to companies. There never was such
grant made since we have been Governments; that
is grant without a consideration. The Govern
ment has sold lands to Individuals ithas sold them
to companies; it has sold them to corporations; out
in all these cases it has been for consideration
In every CASE before the title has passed from the
Government tho nartieS have paid full COnSluera-
ton in dollars and cents in money, the regular re-
cognized, legal money of the country. And yet the
gentleman speaks of these purchases upon the part
of corporations and companies as grants, or Sllts
upon the part of the Government. Is it not marvel
lous? l repeat that there was never such grant
made since we have been Governments; no grant
to individuals, or corporations; except where they
have paid for them But will not detain the COM
mittee by going further upon the point. 1t is not
important that should.
l have spoken of these compacts with the States
Allow to call the attention of the committee to
these compacts of which have before me- IN
the fifth volume of the statutes. mean the act for
the admission of the State of Michigan into the I'm
ion. That there may be no misunderstanding about
it. repeat again, that there has never been grant
there never has been gift upon the part of the Go
vernment of the United States to any State in this
Union, to any individual, to any corporation, or any
other party for the benefit of any college, universe
ty seminary of learning unless it was by virtue
of compact made with q State at the time OF us |
admission into the Union.
But to the act of which l spoke. Here it is:
That the following propositions be, and the same |
hereby offered to the Legislature of the State of
Michigan fer their acceptance or rejection" &c.
First Selection of lands for of schools, in lieu
of section of sixteen, where it has been sold or 9TH
erwise disposed of.
Second. Two townships of land for support OF an
university.
Third. Five sections of land for completing GER
ain public buildings
Fourth. Not exceeding seventy Two sections of
and contiguous to salt springs
Fifth. Five per cent. of proceeds of sales of pub
ic lands within said State for making roads and ca
las.
And here comes the consideration for these grants:
I" Prorided That the five foregoing propositions
ire on the condition that the Legislature of the said
State shall provide by ordinance irrevocable, with
ut the consent of the United States, that the said
State shall never interfere with the primary rights
# the soil within the by the United States,
Tor with any regulations Congress may find neces-
airy for securing the title in such soil to the bona
idle purchasers thereof; and that tax shall be i'm
'osed on lands the property of the United States;
nd that in shall resident propretors be
axed higher than residents and that the bounty
ands granted hereafter to be granted for militia
y services during the late war, shall, whilst they
ontnue to be held by the patentees, or their heirs
emain exempt from tax laid by order, under the
uthority of the State, county, township, or any
Their purpose, for the term of three years. from and
fter the date of the patents, respectively.
"Approved juno %, 1886"
nee the different States but the general charac
er of the terms the in regard to all of
hem. The General Government have by compact
y virtue of an agreement, obtained forbearance
rom the taxation of its lands; and in most cases
he forbearance extended for five years after the lands
ave gone into the hands of individual proprietors
low, sir, let gentlemen for moment turn their
ttenton to the terms of this agreement. The value
the right of taxation in perpeuty is equal to the
hole value of the lands The General Government
OF only got from the States an exemption from tax
ton while it held these lands, though it might be
perpetuity, but it went further and stipulated and
equred of the States to exempt these same lands
ON taxation for five years after they should have
cen aenated and passed into the hands of indvid-
al propretorship and ownership; thus, of course,
ahancing the value of the lands in the hands of the
because, as is perfectly evident if
lie United States and coupled along with it the t
rivege of exemption from taxation for five years,
lie land was worth precisely that much moro, was i
orth the bonus in addition, and as has been shown
the particular case in Michigan, they were to be
tempted, not only from State, but from county, {
wnship, and all taxation from local character {
hus the General Government not only procured t
ON the States exemption from taxation on the +
nds while it held them ITSELF the owner and pro-
ietor, but also additional exemption for five
ars after it had alienated them Now, contemplate
e value of this grant But what did the General G
give in -eturn for it? WHY six sec
,ns contiguous to twelve salt springs, amounting to
venty-two sections of land, two townships of land
college, building itself to make section sixteen il
od where the Government had otherwise sold it, p
never had the proprietorship of it, amounting to p
1t limited quantity at the most; for, as have fl
r. L ~