Mr. CONNESS. This provision had attracted my own attention, and I was about to speak of it when the Senfrom Illinois rose. I find it, at least in its objectionable form to my mind, in the 1st section, in the revival and extension “for the term of ten years from the passage of this act.” I wish to say that I am in favor of continuing rights to this company or to any company who wi I build a road through the new territory; but I do not think that this is the right. form O ondition, nor that it is the usual form of cqndition; but if it be, I join the Senfrom Illinois in saying that it is time to change it. The fair terms upon which a grant of the public lands may be given to acompauy should be distinctly stated. This may be considered as a new rant; but in reviving it, it should be continue to the same parties, in my opinion. But it has lapsed, and they have no rights in it; and it is, to all intents and purposes, a new grant to be made to them. Then I think the conditions that should accom any it should require that they begin the me within a given time, say 2 years, as provided in all the bills I have introduced asking for grants to railroad companies, and then require that they shall construct a certain number of miles each year thereafter, and that the shall construct the whole extent of the roa within a given time, and that they shall be entitled to land contermine us with the road as fast as they construct it. These are conditions which leave the title of the land in the U.S. in case the road shall not be built, and conditions also of the strongest kind, as I think, to induce the building of the road; but this seems to be a very loose and general provision, “that the above recited act, ” referring to an act that is not before us “with all the provisions therein made, be and the same is hereby revived and extended for the term of ten ears from the passage of this act.” I am 111favor of the bill; but I suggest that it ought to have another form. I think this is a very objectionable form. Grant lands, I say, for the construction of those great improvements which bring settlement and civilization into the far West, but require the parties to commence within a given time not distant, and to go steadily forward with the improvements, and then let their title accrue as they carry on the work. I think that these bills ought to have that shape and form.