Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1858-04-30
MIR. MORRILL,S BILL.

The Bill introduced by Mr. Morrill, Of this
State for donating public lands for the pro-
motion of Agriculture and the Mechanic
Arts, seems to have met with general favor
in Congress thus far. 1t has passed the
House, and the opinion prevails that it will
pass the Senate also. The bill is as follows:
Bill donating public lands to the several States
and Territories which may provide colleges for
the benefit OF agriculture and the mechanic arts.
sSec Be enacted by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives Of the United States Congress assembled
That there DO granted to the several States for the
purpose hereinafter mentioned, six million three
hundred and forty thousand (6,340, OOO) acres of
land, to be apportionod to each State quantity
equal to twenty thousand for each Senator
and representative in Congress to which the States
are now respectively entitled.
Sec. 2. And bet further enacted, That the land
aforesaid, after being surveyed, shall be appor-
toned to the several States in sections or subdivi-
sions of sections, not less than quarter of Sec
ton; and whenever there are public lands in
State worth 81 20 per acre, (he value of said lands
to be determined by the Governor of said State)
the quantity to which said State shall be entitled
shall be selected from such lands and the Secreta,
ry Of the Interior is hereby directed to issue to
those States in which there are no public lands of
tho value Of 81 70 per acre; land scrip to the
amount of their dstributive shares in acres under
said States, and the proceeds thereof applied to
tho uses and purposes prescribed in this act and
Tor no other use or purpose whatsoever: Provided,
That in case shall any State to which land scrip
may thus be issued be allowed to locate the same
within the limits of any other State but their as
signees may thus locate said land scrip upon any
OF the unappropriated lands of the United States
subject to private entry.
Sec. 3. And be 1t further enacted, That all the cx-
penses of management and superintendent OF said
lnrl Al
CURED In the management and disbursement Of the
moneys which may be received therefrom, shall be
paid by the States to which they may belong, out
OF the Treasury Of said States SO that the entire
proceeds Of the sale Of said lands shall be applied
without any diminution whatever to the purposes
hereinafter mentioned.
sec. 4. And be further enacted That all moneys
derived from the sale of the lands aforesaid by the
states to which the lands are apportoned and from
the sales of land scrip hereinbefore provided for
shall be invested III stocks of the United States or
of the States some other safe stocks Welding
not less than five per centum upon the par value
OF said stocks and that the moneys so invested
shall constitute perpetual fund, the capital of
which shall remain forever undiminishcd (except
so far as may be provided in section 9TH of this
act) and the interest of which shall be inviolably
appropriated by each State which may take and
claim tho benefit Of this act, to the endowment sun
port and maintenance of least one college where
the leading object shall be, without excluding 9TH
or scientific or classical studies, TO teach such
branches OF learning as related to agriculture
and the mechanic arts, in such manner as the Leg
isatures Of the States may respectively prescribe
in order to promote the liberal and practical cdu-
cation OF the industrial classes in the several pur
suits and professions in life.
Sec, .. And be further enacted, That the grant
Of land and land scrip hereby authorized shall be
made on the following conditions, to which, as well
as TO tho provisions herein before contained the
previous assent Of the several States and Terrific
res shall be sisnifed by legislative acts:
Frst-lf any portion of the funds invested, as
provided by tho foregoing section, or any portion
Of the interest thereon, shall, by any action or con.
tinSency, be diminished lost it shall be re-
placed by tho state to which it belongs, so that
the capital OF the fund thal remain forever undi-
mnished so that railroad lands raised to double
tho price shall be reckoned double tho guam.
tity, and the annual interest shall be reg
ularly applied without diminution to he purposes
mentioned IN tho fourth section of this act except
that sum, not exceeding 10 per centum upon the
amount received by any State under the provisions
OF this act may BIO expended for the purchase of
lands for sites or experimental farms whenever
States.
Seeond-No portion of said fund.- nor the inter-
est thereon, shall be applied, directly or indirectly
under any pretense whatever, to the purchase,
erection, preservation, or repair of any building
or building.
1hrd-Any State which may take and claim the
benefit Of tho provisions Of this act shall provide
within five years, at least less than ono college
as described in the 4th section of this act or the
grant to such State shall cease and said State
shall be bound to pay the United States the amount
received Of any lands previously sold, and that
the title to purchasers under the State shall be
valid.
Fowth-An annual report shall be made regard
ing the progre. Of each college, recording any
and experiments made, with their
cost and results and such other matters as NAV be
supposed useful-one copy Of which shall be trans
mittei by mail free by each, to all tho other col
leges which may be endowed under the provisions
OF thisact and to tho Smithsonian Institution and
the agricultural department of the Patent Office at
Washington.