Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1854-06-22


fluence here; that the majority against them
was so overwhelming they would be but the
silent spectators of the harmonious action of
the Democracy. But in all this was much
mistaken. A strict party vote has not been
obtained by that party during this session:
not even when spols were at stake, and that
usually brings them to the scratch when
nothing else will. Laughter. The Ga-
vor Of the Administration does not secure
the passage Of any measure, nor the success
of any policy. l find good Democrats here
from the West, powerless to advance the
interests Of their constituents on fair terms
while regret TO say that Wings as well as
Democrats, from the East have not only the
influence but the will to do injustice to the
West, and retard her prosperity.
| The views and feelings of this Congress
are mostly local and sectional, and if there
| be one more conspicuous than another. it is
that deep-grounded but unjust prejudice
against the West. Still, sir, at the begin
ming of the session our prospects were very
bright, and although the Wisconsin bill met
with strong opposition from home, and was
| for the season, the weakest bill the Land
Committee had TO report, yet it would have
passed this House had it not been for the
amendment of the gentleman from North
Carolina, Mr.. Kerr. which arrayed all
sectional feeling in the House, and defeat
cd the bill by one vote.
Mr.. LETcHER. That was the Minnesota
bill
Mr.. LIxDLEY. Well, the Wisconsin, bill
was mixed up with it and depended on it.
Mr.. LETcuER. Yes, both of them.
Mr.. L1HDLEY. 1t mashed up all Of them
for the time. Laughter.
i Mr.. LErcHER. Certainly it did.
Mr.. LINDLEY. Well, Mr.. Chairman, I
wish for a moment to examine the propriety
and fairness of that amendment. It provi-
ded that the proceeds of the sales of the a.
tcrnate sections reserved to 'he Government
in all these grants, should be distributed 10
: the older States. to whom no such appropri-
ations have been made. Now. sir, let us
see the effect of this amendment. You have
for instance. in Missouri large extent Of
country, an eXhaustless supply of public
{ lands. It cannot be settled to advantage for
want ofthese improvements. The Govern
ment cannot sell the lands, though they have
been for years in market; and they cannot
be sold till these roads are built, affordine
, the farmer a ready transportation TO market
| The Government, for the purpose of more
, readily selling her vacant lands, grants al.
ternate sections to aid in building these
roads. These grants do not inure TO the
benefit of Missouri, but are actually consul
+ med in the construction of the road. The
| value Of the reserved sections is greatly in
t creased and are sold without trouble fol
/ double the price previously demanded. AZ
S ter which the gentleman comes in with his
! amendment, and with great modesty, say
e North Carolina will take these reserved sec
5 tions thus enhanced, as matter Of justic
to her in the transaction.
i Now, sir, have no objection 10 fai
e distribution of the public lands among all tn
: States equally, but these donations 10 Yves
t tern improvements afford no preteXt TO tn,
t older States for claiming the reserved lands
r The claim is unjust and unfair, and do no
= believe that any fair and candid minded maj
would have introduced such an amendmcn
to bill before this Congress, Laughter.
except he We're blinded by sectional preiu
ces. But. sir, TO show that have not spo
ken inconsiderately concerning the sectiona
feeling prevailing this Hall, shall alludc t
few OF the many speeches made here agaius
Western interests; and first notice few
OF the remarks made by the gentleman from
Georgia, [Mr. Dent, a Democrat. II
says:
"But ii is proposed TO give away the land
to the great railroad companies, 1t is pro
posed in this republican country, to bull,
up an ariStocracv of wealth, by taking ava,
that which is common TO us all, and giving
to few companies"
So, then, the gentleman thinks the syster
highly reprehensable and wrong, as well a
violntive of the Constitution, and wrong, on
would suppose, on principle. But he con
tinues:
''Let those gentlemen, therefore, WIN
want the votes Of the Georgia delegation 70
this measure. | say, le
those gentlemen prepare plan by whic
the old States, and the citizens OF them, ma,
be benefited as we'll as the new States,
they wish TO get our votes
n So it seems that unjust, unequal, and lit
: constitutional, as is in his opinion it is, ye
: if this beautiful tickling system can only b
= extended so as to embrace the Georgia del
It egation its titilations will be highly delight
e ful, indeed, to the gentleman, and comman
5 his vote.
+ And this, sir, is the character of ar ~
e ment that has been made againstus. Whole
e sale charges OF unjust demands on the par
y of the West, reiterated time and again in thi
e Hall, without any foundation intruth; bl
e such demands, nevertheless, as gentleme
N acknowledge they would be glad to make i
t, behalf OF their own section OF county, ifthe
were in situation 10 do so. That the We
Is asks nothing unfair towards ike Gener
al Government is evident from the facts
d which l have referred; and have hear
l. western gentlemen assert that they won
lie not accept a grant Of land for the benefit
Is their own people, if it was to be obtaint
by system ST ''log-rolling," as it IS cale
IS So much for answering the gentleman.
I'd wish to notice, for a moment, some =
,r marks made during the discussion of Il
p homestead bill, by the gentleman from vi