The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-04
CONGRESSIONAL.
SPEECH OF non. Q. w. JONI Es,

Delivered IN the House Of Representatives May - 1896
rHE rUBLIc LANDS.
4 Mr. BENNETT from the Committee on Public Lands,
reported, with amendment IN The nature Of substitute
h making grant OF lands 10 the State OF Louisiana 10
aid in the construction OF railroad in said State which
was read first and second time.
Mr. BENNETT This bill! is exactly like the Others that
have been passed. eall the previous question upon H.
Mr. JONES, OF Tennessee desired on yesterday when
bill for similar ecls butio different State
ported by member Of the Committee on Public Lands
submit few remarks this subject OF donating alternate
sections to aid in the construction OF railroads told
by that gentleman that the su,ec had been frequently
discussed ia this House and before the country.
told that the subject understood But sir the gentle
did not tell me- did he tell the House that when
these bills have been discussed they have generally been
drfaied. believe sir that the first bill OF this char
aceF---
The SPEAKER, linterrupting) The gentleman from
New York is emitted TO the floor aud the gentleman from
Tennessee can only proceed with his and the con
sent OF the House.
Mr.. JONES Did the gentleman call the previous ques-
ton
Mr.. BENNETT. Yes moved the previous question
The SPEAKER The gentleman from New York Mr.
Bennett the door, and the Chair bad not stated
the question to the House, when the gentleman from
Tennessee The gentleman from New York is entitled
to the floor unless he yield TO the gentleman from Tennes
Mr. JONES. Understood the gentleman to Weld the
hoo and that il had been assigned me and it WAS
acsuesced in by the Speaker the gentleman, and the
whole House.
The SPEAKER. Such was not the understanding Of the
Chair.
Mr. SANDIDGE. beg the gentleman from New York
to withdraw the call for the previous question: SO as to
i've the gentleman from Tennessee opportunity
make such remarks he may cesire-if the gentleman
from Tennessee will the motion for the previous
question.
Mr.. BENNETT. | withdraw the call for the previous
question il the gentleman viii promise to renew il when
he concludes his remarks.
Mr.. JONES II be desired that shall renew the call
for the previous question, will do So though much
against my will
Mr.. BENNETT Tue gentleman from Ohio [Nr. War
that tie will insist taking up his privileged
question at 2 O'Clock. :
Mr. JONES am limited by the rules of the House to
an hour. viii be guided by those rules, but will hold
the floor sui ject to no mans will
Mr. EUSTlS. Has the gentleman from New York yield
ed the floor condition that the call for the previous ques
ton shall he renewed?
. The SPEAkER The Chair understands that such is
the fact. He has eognizince OF the condition. +.
Dir JONES. was about 20 remark, Mr.. Speaker, when
the gentleman from New York claimed the floor that the
first bill of character similar to the pending before
passed Congress in 1880 IL granted alternate sections
OF The public lands for railroad in the State Of Illinois
Ii my memory serves me- that bill pressed this
ground The line vi the through prairie coun
try hich destitute Of timber 1t alleged that that
country would be settled up unless there
provided by which material for buildings and fences could
be con yenieutly carried there to the settlers
The strong argument IN favor OF the passage OF the meas
that the construction of the road would greatly
enhance the value of the surrounding government land
These prairies rich and fertile and railroad through
them all that required 10 bring them rapidly into
market enhanced price, and ingo hourshng stale
who opposed the system the bill provided that a
granting the alternate sections to aid in the consruc
ou of the road the reserved sections should be doubd in
price, Therefore it alleged the treasury indem
nifed against any loss from such grant Now thou ght
that came here with settled and well defined
ous Of the powers this government 10 rrgad internal
improycments-TailroaGs, canals, aud harbor i'm
provements and various other for tax money from
the treasury, called in general internal impTUS emenis.
believed that under the constitution this had
power to make appropriations for the eousucton OF
roads and canss and other works OF internal improve
ment Many OF those who associated with pTsvssed
entertain the principles did They said that they
would money Of the treasury for internal i'm
pToyemens for do that would be alike yiUaise OF the
constitution and the principles OF the democratic party
Yet Say they, Here Ian belonging 10 the general
government They waste They are uncultiSated
and unsettled, and must remain unltss something be
done 10 bring them into market
Then they held that this government would be a wise
propTielor-Ihat Il would justly and constitution
ayto give away alternate sections Of the public land
for railroad purposes II thereby the amount Of money
| would be obtained under the old system 10 much
shorter time. The minimum price, 81 % per acre,
doubed aud the reserved sections be sold 81 80
per Perhaps under the geaer power under the
sttutiUn make all needfu rules and regulations respec
ing the territory other property OF the United States
Congress may give these lands to the States. Bat when
the lands granted for these railroad purposes with
condition which bold 10 be unconstitutional,
difference between appropriations Of money from the treas
ury for railroads aud donations OF public land for that
purPOsr. What the condition Of the bill under consid.
ersi0n aud Of all other bills Of like character? That the
sections granted shall be sold and the proceeds applied 10
l the construction Of these roads.
Now II this government make the condition that
the proceeds from the sale Of the lands granted shall be
vested n the railroad company could not this government
appoint is agents 10 sell the lands and invest the
proceeds in the construction Of road When the land
sold could the money well be given 10 the State
on condition that the Stale should construct the work
think that there difference in principle according 10
my views and understanding Of the subject between an
appropriation OF money aud donation OF alternate sec
4 tions Of land with the condition OF this bill
The Illinois DILL the only bill which passed at that
Congress In 1852 another bill passed for the State
Of Missouri At the succeeding session bill for Arkansas
passed Since then this Congress other bili
Of like character has been enacted into Law But what
have Witnessed at tins session OF Congress
We have witnessed report after report from the Commit
Public Lands Of bills OF this characier-one for the
Iowa approprisng according TO estimates made
At the Land Office four millions Of acres OF land
another The State Of Florida Of very large amount
another to the State Of Wisconsin another 10 the State
y Of Alabama another for Michigan and to-day one ioS
the State OF Louisiana making six in all Five Of them
psssed this House and bow many more the committee
Y have behind DO not know, but suppose severAL
There are Mr.. SPEAKER nine members upon that com
mittee ana beeve that OF them has Jet raised
his voice in ohjeJnon any Of these bis believe
that when You look At the composition OF that
committee, you will lind that IN II is represented maJor
ty Of the States each OF which has or will have,
bill brought here for the purpose Of aiding in the con
Y sirurtion Of railroads.
Y Nr COBB OF Alabama. Very faithful members.
Il Mr. JONES' Very faithful, indecd-iiSe my friend
from the jackson district In Aa0ama. have SIR stated
briefly my objections 10 these bills upon constitutional
prucples Now there IL another principle IN these b
which to my maud Is eqasly Objectionable ss the want o
II constitutional power, and which, II the PowI
expressly gvyn would raise feeble against
and do all my power defeat the bills IL 10 h,
great body Of agrcuursts of The ooantry--,o 'hos,