Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-02-04


Cuba.
Mr.. Pottlc advocated the principles OF the
Republican party.
Mr.. Smith, Of Tennessee, indicated the Adj
ministration from the charge Of extravaganza,
affirming that the Government is as wisely
and economically administered now rs in the
year 1900.
Alter other speeches were made the House
adjourned.
TUESDAY. February |, 1859.
SENATE.
The Vice President pro tenn. laid before the
| Senate a communication from the Secretary Of
War, showing the number Of persons with sala.
ries attached, in his Department, exclusive Of
those engaged in the Army.
Also, a communication from the Secretary Of
War, showing the expenses Of the military es-
adjustment during the year 1853.
Mr.. Hunter presented the following petit
ton:
| To tie NyaoraJi. Senate md Bass nj Representatives. Z:
Your mcmorialists respectfully represent
BY act Of Congress, approved March ., lsii, it IS
provided:
THAI, in oil eases where proposals for any contract
or contracts. To be tiaic by any OF the executive de
par;incnt- or bureaus, and III all cases where notices
u Atlh htSil AlAI'6l ~P'i'Ie NUN tHN 7Hhi' 'N h'' -
! ouircd hy law Ia b. advertised. the same shall be ad-
v~er,i>ed 10y publication in two newspapers in the city
OF Washington having the largest permanent sub
~scription. and q; the discretion Of the Executive. III
| any third paper that may bc published IN SAID city:
! Provided. That tho charges ior such publication
shall not be higher than such III ARE paid 10y lndividu'
ais for advertising in said papers: And provided also,
That the SAINT publication, shall be- made i'll each Of
said papers equally a>t to frequency"
Claiming 20 lave the largest permanent clrcila-
tom OF any newspaper in this city, NO have mad"
formal application, IN pursuance oi law. Tor tile Dc
Iar,rncnt advertisements.
Instead. however, of obcying the plain and impcra-
tive injunction o; the statute, the Executive officer,
have assumed 10 themselves the prcrogntivc Of dis
pcn>ing with the law, and have accordingly refused
either to give Us the advertisements We claim. or To
afford us an opportunity OF exhibiting the extent OF
our circulation.
step h. taken 10 rnfor2" the execution Of the Law in
this particular. Pryor q. liEis'.
proprictors Of ''Statc-.
Mr.. Seward offered certain Joint resolutions
in relation to the arrest of William Walker on
the coast Of Nicaragua; which were laid over.
Mr.. Wade moved to postpone all prior orders,
and consider the bill making donations of the
public lands to the States and Territories for
the benefit Of agriculture.
The motion was agreed to-ycas 30. nays 90.
So the Senate proceeded to the consideration
Of the bill donating public lands 70 the States
and Territories for agricultural purposes, and
the mechanic arts.
Mr.. pugh moved to rccommit the bill and
amendments to the committee on Public Lands.
lie said it was a remarkable fact, that this bill
hal never received the approval Of either Of
Committees on Public Lands in both branches
Of Congress. The Ohio Legislature had re-
.,;,j,J tI.;,, .o,n Incl r,,o chair rnprnynDfn.
tivcs in Congress to vote for this bill and he
should vote against it. All the difference be-
tween this bill and that passed in the 3Sd Con-
gress, was that this proposed to benefit agricul-
turc, while the other was to benefit insane asy-
lurns by the donation of the public lands.
The latter was vetoed BY President Pierce on
the ground of its unconstitutionality, and the
objections in the veto message were unanswer-
able. 1t would apply to this bill in the same
manner. Although agriculture was a laudable
object, it was not necessary that this Congress
should make appropriations to the States for
its benefit. 1t would violate the sovcreigntics
of the States. But this bill was not a bill, in
his opinion, for the promotion Of agriculture.
There never would be an agricultural college
erected under this bill.
Mr.. p. then proceeded to review the general
provisions Cf the bill.
He had an objection to the third section OF
the bill, which provided that if a State did not
erect one agricultural college within five years,
the appropriation of the ands for the purposes
were to cease. 4. State might be impoverished
bv debt, and not be able to build one Of those
IT., colleges, vet, under the provisions of this bill,
she was to be punished for her poverty. The
wealthy States, then, would be benefited while
-. Iro.:- ca.. Cz.-o;o1 o,,h,rroccp,optc
as is often the case, would be deprived of these
donations. The bill was open to fraud, and
should therefore be sent to q committee.
If this was n bill really for the benefit Of Ag
riculturc, OF the administration of justice. II
might lie on the calendar without being noticed;
but the moment it became invested with money,
or held out a glittcring prize. it found friends
not only around Congress, but in the State lie
gislatnrcs. lie hoped the bill would be recon-
mitted.
The motion being taken, it was not agreed t.
yeas 81, nays 2S.
Mr. Stuart then offered an amendment to ex
ernpt the mineral lands in the several State.
from being donated for agricultural colleges, &c
Mr.. Rice. pending the amendment said there
were many objections 10 this bill. With thu
execution of its title it carried nothing to form
q true idea of It's character. If Congress grant
cd land, to the States for this purpose. it nigh
he called upon to grant to them lands for mani
other purposes. lie objected to a bill that do
mated lands to educate the sons of wealthy pco
ple. We wanted no fancy mechanics; for i
Congress was to educate any one. let ii be thos'
who give life and vitality to our nation. lii
objected to such a large donation OF land-si,
millions Of acres.
Mr.. Stuart said the fears Of the Senator ir
the latter respect were grorndless. Over sixty
millions had been donated since the foundation
Of the government.
Mr.. Mason said this bill was one Of the mos
mischicyous engines of evil that he conceived
could originate in the Senate of the United
States. 1t was nothing more or less than using
the public lands as a means or a policy of con
trolling State legislation. 1t was a bribery, and
an unconstitutional robbing Of the treasury fol
bribing the States. If Congress legislated for
the States in this way, it might fasten peculiar
systems Of schools upon different sections Of the
Union.
1t might fastcn upon the Southern States the
New England system Of schools. which, to the
former section, would be demoralizing to the
pcoplo; or any other peculiar systems or insti-
buttons might be established IN the same way.
These grants would lead the people to believe
that the government has not only the means oil
giving Office, but aims to the different States.
If the bill passed, he trusted that those States
which refused the donation, would appear in
the future pages Of history Us holding them.
..,ro- +-,o 90 ,bo Constitution opd tho uovarp.