The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-01
CON 80 R II q ..
FORTY-FIRsT SESsION-SECOND TERM.
Senate.

WASHINGTON, March 1-Mr Wilson introduced a
joint resolution for the better observance of sunday
in the Military and Naval Academies. Referred TO
the Military Committee.
Mr. Warner introduced bill to amend the act for
the better organization OF the United States District
Court in the State of Alabama. Referred to the
judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Revels presented petition from the colored
men OF Philadelphia for the passage of the bill TO
secure TO all persons the equal protection OF the
laws. Referred to the Judiciary Committee.
Mr.. Howell made his first speech in the Senate in
support Of his resolution that in every grant of lands
to railroads proviso shall be Incorporated securing
the rights of settlers to homesteads on the grants
and requiring the land to be put in market at an
early day at price not exceeding $3.50 an acre. He
desired a permanent policy by which the protection
OF the West and Southwest from the great evils OF
land monopoly would be made feature OF railroad
grants as inevitable as the Wilmot provso used to be
IN Territorial bills. The rapid accumulation OF capi
tai and the powerful combinations OF railroad c0rpo
ratiOns augmented the danger of a land monopoly in
these days. and necessitated the imposition of re-
While advocating this policy he would continue to
favor most earnestly the granting OF lands to pre-
mote the settlement and TO develop the resources
OF the West The wisdom and success or this policy
had already been established In the South it was
perverted by slavery to build up a landed aristo-
cracy which still continued legacy Of that inst
tution but should have perlshed with it by division
OF the great landed estates OF traitors among the
loyal soldiers who trampled out the Rebellion in
blood and fire. The Northwestern States han
received liberal grants OF lands before railroads ex
isted there but when these became great clvlzers
the liberality OF the Government was directed to
their aid.
Douglas, produced an almost magical effect in
developing the population and wealth of that State
and OF the city OF Chicago and the injurious effects
OF the railroad systemswould not now be dispensed
with in view OF its advantages.
Iowa furnished an Illustration OF the benencent
effects OF tn policy. The land granted to her for
all purposes amounted to one-fourth the entire
area OF the State and as a natural consequence
she had now 1000 miles OF completed railroads, Il
population OF over one million taxable property
returned at half its value amounting three hundred
millions, while the State was free from debt.
| What other disposition OF her Wild lands could
| have produced such resources? Similar beneHcent
results would follow, in the opinion OF the speaker,
from the application OF the present policy TO Mime
| sofa, Dacotah, Arkansas and al the Western and
| Southwestern portions OF the country. He thought
the proposition OF the Senator from Ohio (Mr Thur
use and occupation for the benefit OF our grandchl-
| dren, was liable TO the same condemnation which
was visited upon the misery hoa ding OF money.
In view OF our rapid territorial expansion, he
| thought that at no distant day our descendants
would come from the halls of the Montezumas, the
annexed Dominion OF Canada, and the States OF the
Red River country TO take seats, perchance In the
Capitol, which Will then tower in magnificent pro-
portions on the western banks OF the Father OF
Waters, or upon the beautiful and commanding site
OF the city OF his TesideI ce the city of Keokuk
| overlooking three States OF the Union In conclu-
sion he referred TO the capacities OF the State OF
Iowa for development, and TO her large interest IN
| the development OF States ana Territories TO the
| north and west of her.
| AS a means OF satisfying the demands OF those
who would reserve our wild territory for posterty
| he humorously proposed compromise for the
benefit OF the descendants Of those whofav0red the
repressve policy, by which they might have perpe-
| tual possession OF several hundred millions OF acres
OF the balmy Alaska, where, II we could credit ON
1 cial encomiums, Everlasting spring abdes and
never-fadiDg MOWERS" BY rejecting what
| was bad In our present land-grant policy
| and holding on TO what was good in 1t, the
growing opposition by reason OF reckless eXtrava.
gance In some OF those grants and the suspicion OF
corruption IN certain parties connected with them