The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-02-17
The Agricultural College Biii.

turalsts throughout the Union, but in real.
ity a swiudling scheme for the benefit OF the
seaboard states at the expense of the inter-
ests of the great west, We regret to learn,
passed the U. s. Senate on the 9TH instant,
and upon the concurrence OF the House to
the Senate amendments, and the approval
of the bill by the President, it will become
law. We have great hopes that the bill
will fail to be acted upon in the House; but
if it should, Mr.. BUCHANAN we confidently
anticipate, will interpose his veto. The vote
in the Senate, on the final passage OF the
bill was, ayes "a, nays 22--both Of our
Minnesota Senators voting in the negative
In the debate in the Senate, on the first
instant, upon this bill, Senator RIcE, took
strong grounds against its passage-Minne-
sofa having been omitted from the benefits
Of the bill, owing to passage tn rough the
House before our admission as State
Gen. SHIELDS moved 10 include Minnesota
10 the bill. Mr.. RICE took this occasion to
urge bis opposition to the measure. He said:
Nix. RICK. hope my colleague will not in
sist upon having Minnesota included in this bill;
because, il the bill passes, l. for one, certainly
do not wish ~ have her party 10 il. The bill
proposes to give about six millions acres Of the
public domain to the several States and Terri
tories for the benefit Of agriculture and the me-
chanic arts. Believing, ~ do. that, by
strict construction of the Constitution. we have
not the power to pass this bill, my vote will be
given In the negative. II will give TO many Of
the States a monopoly of the lands within the
limits of their sister States aud their conflicting
interests might disturb the harmony now exist
ing between them. II you wish to aid farmers
and mechanics, put the public lands within their
reach, so that with their moderate means they
may provide themselves with homes.
Sir, this 10 only the pioneer Of other measures
still mole Objectionable. There is now pending
in the other House. bin granting to com
pany in the Stale OF New York, four million
acres Of land to aid in constructing 3 canal
around the Falls OF Nagars That bill provides
that half million acres shall be taken from the
State Of Michigan, the like quantity from the
State OF Wisconsin, and three million acres
from the State OF Minnesota. As one Of the
Representatives from that State, protest
against granting any State or foreign corpora
ton righ to interfere with the disposal Of the
soil within her limits. II not unconstitutional
it is at least unjust. Another bill has made its
appearance here proposing tn give one million
acres Of the public domain FOR the support of
schools in the District Of Columbia. This shall
also opso e, although favorable to every right
ful measure that will improve the District or
advance the interest OF its inhabitants.
lo.k on the success Of this measure "a bring
ing death almost to Minnesota; not sudden de
struc ton, but that slow. lingering decay, which
eats into and gradually destroys every conmu'
nifty whose energies are confined BY combns
tionsxof nonresident land propreiors The
state that represent Is one OF The richest Arg
est, and fsrest in the Union. Pass this bill
and within six months the agents Of non resi-
dents will traverse her limits for the purpose
of culling out over the entire state the choicest
lands not held by actual settlers, ihas bhghiing
ike the locusts every region which may at
tract them by IL richness or its beauty.
This bill provides for sendIug reports OF the
proposed colleges, free Of postage, through the
mails; an extraordinary power. certainly; one
which, II extended lttle further. wOud soon
cripple the Post Office Department. In many
other respects il IL Objectionable. it, heading
carries bat faint idea OF ia real ohleets. II
these projects are constitutional. what limit il
there 10 the power of Congress. over any sob
ject, II We can grant lands for this purpose.
for what purpose may We not grant them II
We give land 10 States FOR colleges. and ex
tend to hem the ranking privilege how long
will il bc before they will ask all tor every Oh
ject, and come 10 rely entirely upon the Gen
erai Government even for the expenses Of their
own, until they have become so dependent on
the national Treasure that they Nil have but
shadow of sovereignty left. and be mere sup
plants at the doors OF Congress for any thing
that the General Government may nave al ~
di-pD.aR II you wi-h 70 establish agricultural
colleges. rive 70 each man 4 college ~ hrs own
in the shape o. one hundred ami siNty acres u
land, where he and h. children can earn how
TO make II yield the frnts Of the earth ~ the
greatest abundance; but do not give lands to
a.. Ia. ft.a.r, . 20 he
Of the wealthy at the expense ~ the pubic.
We want no fancy farmers we wa8t no isaey
I mechanics; but we Do want homes Tor the
working artisans and the cult, stoFs ~ the sol.
In. biz. 4 passed, IS 10 every re.peci IN 0ppo
sitinn 20 the interests o. the Culg community
that gives vitality to our Institutions hope
my colleague Nil not INSIST upOn hasiog Mn
peso;a Inserted l. for one, hope that state all
Not be q party 20 a measure Of this kihd.
Mr.. STUART, OF Michigan. the engineer Of
the bali in the senate. replied 70 Mr. Ricy,
and referred TO the provision that every
State tba, has public lands worth 81 ,2j pr
acre. IS to locate the amount granted WITH n
its borders.
Mr.. EIcE. shh 70 say a word to She -AnA-
ator from Michigan. lie .Ay. that there there
are public lands sitA.n The limits u . -'aie.
that state i - .9caie the grant aussf th,s oil
within her o~n m1-.
Nr. -TUsKr. LAu3s worth 81 - a. s-re.
VIZ. RicE. Well. who "a the jaIye Of that
The value Of ssd .Aals - be determined ~
the Governor ~ sa.d STATE NJ "a ag4.a.i
the ini,r.., ~ the state 81 hirhgAl to haze
those iaad, .scaisl w.iAia Ter Init. ! sgat4fs
% .ay ihai Ia N. Opt .0n - ths tossrnof Il
that STATE, there sDuli not bs al Asr- = ahi
vo,th A. A. I sad before, tas head ~ %
the BIT giys- bI' ia.Ei rieA ~ IS cpateA.s.
In the thru ss tiSh = reads;
"a a. - s4,~asss 4 Esnass1sa+ - s4@srr.
an % .srs ats sr-vff.5s H 'tsf '>s- 49, e.. Ft
tsns-s . .rr~f ~ raar - $50 a. re- - ~
a. r1-... r nav 30 -r-~.~H fssF frH-1 "a" 30
PAL . a. stA.4. ID sa.cl - ~rg .. Pc
xsaf - Z a. 49,
Their ag,r,.SN lsca,e tts arl az tie
thrd section ETs. - The state. ~ rsght -
cohUol I4em .ter they Az i1c.ist, -a.i -
STATE hal have 80 th~m. n. ssli'g - srr y
t,,a.-.,.rs 49, 49, A. may nj be sDtt