State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1831-1836, 1836-06-28


any serious constitutional objections; but
others, on grounds OF CNpedicncy, seem 10
have been nude from some quuitcr, which
the President, in his next annual message
proceeds 10 discuss in detail and to remove.
II is somewhat remarkable that the four
objections which are noticed by the Prcsi-
dent and answered, have since been rm0ng
the most prominent ones made to the land
bill. The objections which are formally
stated in the Message, and each answered
separately and at length, are these: |. To
the ratio of distribution; 2. To its tCndCn-
CIV to produce increased taxation 3. That
the States would improvidcntly use the fund;
and, lastly, that it would create an improper
dependence of the States on the General
Government. Sir, the argument of the
President is so clear on these points, and
so entirely conclusive, that were it not for
its great length, would ask permission of
the committee for the Clerk to read it,
But the time which | have prescribed for
myself to occupy the attention of the COM
mittce is already so far spent, that must
omit it. | commend it to the attention of
all Ito those who may doubt upon the
points it discusses, as containing matter
calculated to remove their doubts and TO
those who continue making the objections,
as presenting arguments which they will
do well to consider how they are to answer
to their own judgments, and to their con-
slituents. You well know, sir, that this
measure of distribution was once, whatev-
er it may he now, a favorite with your own
State that in 1897 it received the strong
recommendation of Governor Clinton in
his message; that it was also recommen-
ded by Governor Throop in 1881, and that,
at the same session of your Legislature,
resolution approving it, passed your House
of Assembly by unanimous vote; but as
the particular attention of the committee
has already been called to these propositions
from New York, by other gentlemen, /
will not dwell on them.
You will notice, sir, that all the propo-
sitions which | have yet mentioned, con
tcmplatcd distribution of the revenue
without reference to the sources from
which it was obtained; and included the
proceeds of the public lands, as well as
the revenue derived from the CUSTOMS
But the proceeds of the public lands have
always been looked upon as standing upon
q different footing from the revenue derived
from other sources. | have not extended
my researches very far back, but find that,
in February, 1896 the standing committee
of this House on the Public Lands by Mr.
Strong, one of its members from New
York, made report to the House recon-
mending an annual appropriation of
portion of the nett proceeds of the public
lands for the support of schools, and OF
apportloning the same among the States
in proportion to their representation. In
February, 1929, q resolution was adopted
by the House, on mention of Mr. Steven
son, of Pennsylvania, political friend of
the present President, raising a committee
to inquire into the expcdiency of disribu-
ting annually all the money arising from
the sales of the public lands among the
several States, in the same proportion.
This reference, also, produced q report
favorable to the measure. On the 18th
of December, 1899, my predecessor in this
House Gen Hunt,) introduced Il resolution
directing "the Committee on Public Lands
TO inquire into the expediency of appro
priatng the nett annual proceeds of the
sales of the public lands among the several
States, for the purposes of education and
internal Improvement, in proportion TO the
representation of each in the House Of
Representatives" This resolution was
discussed from day to day, during the
morning hour, until the 10Th of January,
when it was adopted with some nodiica-
TONS and, among others, with one chang
ing the committee from that of the public
lands to q select one. Mr. Hunt, ms chair
man of the committee, at the same session
made a report, which will be found among
our printed documents, giving succinct
and lucid history of the public lands, eX-
amining with candor and skill the nature
and character of the power of this Gov
eminent over them, and concluding with
the report of bill in favor of the distrbu-
ton of their proceeds. | am sure, sir, ev-
cry individual now present, who was
member of this House ct the period during
which Mr. Hunt held seat on this floor
"a scat vacated by his lamented death in
this city-will bear witness to the talent
and assiduity with which he performed all
his duties here, as well as to the high min
ded and honorable motives which govern
ed him; and it is no disparagemcnt to any
of the eminent statesmen who have since
discussed the subject of the public lands,
TO say, he clearly foresaw the future mn
pOrtance of this growing resource of the
public revenue; that his report contains
the germ of nearly every argument which
has since been urged in favor of the con-
stitutionallty and eXpedlency OF distribution;
and that it has been seldom, if ever sur
passed in ability.
You will perceive, sir, that this measure
is not new to this House or to the country,
and that long before Mr. CLAY first intro
duced his bill into the Senate, my own
constituents, in particular, had, through
their Representative, urged upon Congress,
with earnesmess and skill, the justice and
propriety of the measure; and that, in now
standing up as its advocate, / am not fol
lowing in the lead of party, but am only
expressing as well as am able, the long
cherished and declared will of my district.
Sir, | repcat what | have before said this