Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-06-07
speech ofMr. Leteher, ofvirginia.

House of Representatives May q, 1856.
Mr. SPEAKER | differ with the gente-
man from Ohio. think the amendment
to the amendment is perfectly germane,
and 1t is in exact accordance with what |
have been expecting. We started out
with Iowa for four roads. That was fol-
lowed by FIorada for thee; then comes
Wisconsin. and the bill has just passed for
three in that State. The Committee on
Public Lands reported substitute. which
they directed the gentleman from Alabama
to offer, and that substitute provides for
three more. Not content with that, how
ever, and beng it.le more hungry and
greedy than the others. the gentleman from
Alabama moves an amendment to the sub.
stitute, and asks for SIX or seven roads in his
Slate.
It strikes me that the gentleman from
Alabama is in rather an inconsistent posi-
tioh OH this subject. 1t will be recolIected
that he is the father Of what is called the
graduation act, which passed this House
some two or three years ago, and which
was urged on our consideration on the
ground tina. the lands IN Alabama not hav-
log been sold at the price OF Ole dollar and
twenty-five cents per acre, it was right
and proper that tbe price should be reduced
to the sum Of twelve and IA halt cents per
acre to bring them within the reach of SET
Hers in that neighborhood. That was
doue. Now. what does the gentle
man propose He proposes to run seven
railroads through that land, taking the odd
sections within six miles on either side Of
those roads. if be can get enough to make
up the complement of odd sections, and
il not, then nine miles more on either side,
embracing thirty miles within the limits
Of the two outside lines. And what does
he propose to do with the balance To
let them 60 TO the settles who want to buy
the land at two dollars and fifty cents per
acIe-the very lands that he said were too
high at one dollar and twenty-five cents
per acre. and which his graduation bill re-
duced TO twelve and half cents per acre.
Now, I say that this is most remarkable
state of things. He said that the lands
were too high at dollar and twenty five
cents per acre, and after we have reduced
the price to twelve and half cents per acre
at his suggestion, he now comes forward
and proposes to donate portion OF those
lands 10 the railroad corporations which
may be chartered by the the Legislature
OF Alabama, aud that the lands reserted,
the sections represented by the even num-
bers, shall! be open to entry by acual set
tiers at two dollars and fifty cent, per acre.
Is no: this position most extraordinary
one?
But, sir, there is sill another point of
view in which the gentlemen occupies
remarkable position. He belongs to what
is called the democratic party ofthis House
and endorsed as such the Baltimore plat.
form, which. declares "that the constitution
does not confer upon the general govern
meht the power 10 commence aud carry
ments )" that it was an,i.Gemocratic and
in violation OF the principles recognized
and acted on BY that party. He fought
the last presidential battle Oh this platform
in common with myself and others. Now,
sir, here are those four railroads IN Iowa
ole thousand one hundred aud fifty three
miles in length. Here are those three
| railroads in Wisconsin FIVE hundred and
three miles in length. Here are also those
three railroads IN Florida, five hundred
and odd miles in length. Here are these
Der, some six hundred or eight hundred
miles in length %mahing nearly three thou
sand miles Of railroad TO be constructed by
donations Of the public lands by this fede-
rnl government. and yet the gentleman is
bitterly opposed TO the policy of "gene-
raj sy STEM of internal Improvements BY
the general government. Now, ii three
thousand miles OF railIo in Ole session Of
Congress is not IA general system" Of in.
ternal improveme nj by this govefnmeht.
when will we get to it
The mex, remark have to make is.
that these bills have been introduced in a
very unusual way, and have been hastily
pressed to their passage. None of these
bills, introduced by the Committee ON Pub
lie Lands, has ever been printed, or putin
a situation where they could be accessible
to members Of This House. The bills ana
amendments have been introduced and
read at the Clerks desk, then we have
been compelled. to take tie bills in that way i,
under the operation of The previous qnes-
ton. Take the case OF this bill this morn
ing The gentleman from Alabama intro
duees bill and brings substitute in with
it. The bill as il went to the Committee
on Public Lands, was printed in part and
partly in manuscript, with numerous inter
lineatons to make it conform TO the views
of the gentleman from Alabama.
The substitute comes to us in manuscript
along with this bill. Neither is printed,
aud they are followed by au amendment
by the gentleman from Alabama. Neither
the original bill, the substitute nor the
amendment, is within reach OF members
for careful examination, because they
have not been printed and laid before us
Now, Say that this Is most extraordinary
legislation, after what occurred in the last
Congress. 1t will be recollected that a
land bill passed through this House in much
the same way as It is proposed TO pass this.
by the change Of IA single word, by whom,
or when, or where made, we know not.
the entire character of the bill was chang
ed, and the lands given direction never
intended at the time the bill was under
consideration and passed by this body
Sir, I say here that, under the preseot cir
cumstances, and with bills prepared in the
manner these are, irterlined here aud
there, and never printed there is am eoual