The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-01-14
consin and Minnesota, from operations 81

MIR. Pratt offered resolution which
was agreed 10, calling on the Secretary o
the Interior for information In relation Il
the number OF lakes and other bodies oil
water which have not been included IL
surveys Of public land In those States.
MIR. Ramsey gave notice, that, on Mon
day next, he would move to proceed will
the postal telegraph bill. Ef.s
Mr.. Morrill,, ofVt., called up the bill to
provide for the further endowment anG
support Of the Agricultural Colleges. HI
offered q substitute for the bill, providing
that the proceeds Of the sales Of 1500(
acres at 81 25 per acre, shall be appro-
priated to each State and Territory, hav.
ing such o college, as contemplated in the
Mr.. Window offered an amendment pro.
viding that the bill should not be con.
structed TO change or limit the operation
of the homestead presumption law.
Mr., Sherman said the bill would give
away over thirty-four millions Of dollars
BE also expressed q doubt as to the con-
stitutionality of the bill. The distribu-
tons were not to be In proportion to the
population, but upon plan which would
give Arizona, for instance, with only 15,.
900 inhabitants, as much as would be
given to Ohio or New York. The orig.
inal act establishing agricultural colleges
had been great disadvantage TO the
western States. The financial condition
OF the nation at this time was not such
that II could afford to give away FOR Chin
erical projects the whole OF the proceeds
Of public lands for the next ten years.
Mr.. Morrill, said Mr.. Sherman was mis-
taken in his statements, and that the
greatest interest was felt in this bill by
the mechanics and farmers throughout
the country.
Mr. Thurman said there was no cons,i-
tutional power in Congress to distribute
public money in manner SO unequal as
to give three hundred thousand people,
in q sparsely settled State the same
amount as four millions and a half
Of people In the State of New
York. But even il it were constl-
tutional and just 1t would be impolitic
to make such distribution. The bounty
OF the nation should be distributed either
according to- population, or TO those To-
calities where it is most needed. Massa.
chusetts, for instance, could more easily
establish and maintain an agricultural
department in connection with one OF
its existing colleges, without dollar ol
public aid, than Texas could do 1t with
the aid oil three million dollars. Mr.
Thurman said also that he had little con.
fidence in these agricultural colleges, and
did not believe they have been so success.
ful as their friends represented.
Mr.. Patterson denied that 1t was neces.
sarily just to distribute for educational in.
stitutions in proportion to the population.
The benefits OF the Colleges of New
England were open to and enjoyed by the
people Of the whole country. Il
Mr.. Thurman said II was true that the
youths from other States had gone to be
educated at Yale and Havard, and do yet
to less extent, but this bill contemplated
erecting college in each State for the
education Of its own people.
Mr., Sherman said that II the proceeds
OF the public lands were To be appropria.
ted for education, they ought not to be
confined to agricultural and mechanical
schools. Abetter use of the money would
be to apply it to the support Of common
schools, especially in the Southern States.
Mr.. Morrill,, Of Vt, having remarked in
the course of the debate that Mr. Sher-
man could not conceal his contempt for
agriculture, Mr.. Sherman said in reply
that the remark was absurd, and that he |
more farmers than were to be |
found in all New England.
Mr.. Sherman moved to amend the bill |
so as as to appropriate the proceeds Of
public lands to support common schools.
MIR. Buckingham said nothing had been
done in the Committee during the thirty |
years which contributed 30 much 10 ele-
vate the standard of education in common
schools or colleges, established under act |
Of 1862, and expressed, as his opinion,
that the effect of this bill il passed would |
be beneficial to common schools every.
where. - s
Mr.. Sherman's amendment was lost.
Yeas 0, nays 80.
Mr.. Stewart offered an amendment
permitting Nevada to establish mining
school instead Of an agricultural college. |
Mr.. Thurman moved o reference OF the |
bill TO the Committee on Public lands. |
Lost to 40.
Pending further action, the Senate
went into executive session, and soon after |
adjourned