Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1837-12-13
Deeenberls. 1897.

be devised. Those provisions, with &C.
easional enactment in behalf Of special in
terests deemed entitled 70 the favor OF the
Government have, In their execution,
produced results as beneficial upon the
whole rs could reasonable be expected in
q matter so vast, so complicated, end so
exciting. Upwards Of seventy millions
ofacres have been sold, the greater part
Of which is believed TO have been pur-
chased Tor actual settlement. The popu-
lation Of the new States and Territories
created out Of the public doE,ain, increas-
ed between 1900 and 1880 from less than
sixty thousand TO upwards oftwo mil ions
thres hundred thousand souls, constiiut-
ing at the latter period, about one fifih OF
the whole people of the United Stales.-
The increase since cannot be accurately
known, but the whole may now b.. safely
estimated at over three aud half millions
ofsouls !. composing nine States. the rep
rescntatives Of which constitute above one
third ofthe Senate, and over one.sixih of
the House Of Representatives Of the Unit
cd Sntes
Thus has 5cen formed a body Of free
and independent land-holders, with a IA
pidity unequalied in theshistory Of man.
kind and this great result has been pro-
duced without leaving anything for future
adjustment between the Government and
its citizens, The system under which il
has been accomplished cannot be intrusi-
sally bad, and with occasional modiica-
tons, to correct abuses and adapt it to
snangps OF circumstances, may, think,
be safely trusted for the future. There
10, IN the management Of such extensive
interests. much virtue in stability, and al
though great aud obvious improvements
should not be declined, chsn ges should
never be mnde without the fullest exani-
tnaiIon, and the clearest demonstration Of
their practical utility In the history Of
the past, we have an assurance that this
safe rule OF action will not be departed
from IN relation to the public lands; nor
IL i believed that any necessity exists for
interfering with the fundamental princi-
pies OF the system, or that the public mind,
even 10 the new States, is DESTROYS Of any
radical alterations. On the contrary, the
general disposition appears to be, to make
such. notifications and additions only MS
will the more cfftctually carry out the
original policy Of filing our new States
and Territories with an industrious and
independent population.
The modification most 2erseyeringfy
presses upon Congress. which has cccu-
pied so much Of lis time for years past,
and viii probably do so for long time to
come, if not sooner satisfactorily adjusted,
10 q reduction in the cost of such por-
lions Of the pubic lands as are ascertain
ed % be unsuitable at the rate now estab-
lished by law. and graduation, accord
ing 10 their relative value, OF the prices ut
which they may hereafter be sold. II is
worthy Of consideration whether justice
may not be done 70 every interest in This
matter, and vexed question set at rest,
perhaps forever. by a reasonable COM
promise Of conflicting opinions. Hither-
70, after being offered at public sale, lands
have been disposed Of At one uniform
price, whatever difference there might be
IN their intrinsic value. The leading
considerations urged in favor Of the meas
ure referred to are. that in almost all the
land districts, and particularly in those in
which the lands have been long surveyed
and exposed to sale, there are still re-
naming numerous and large tracts Of ev-
cry graduation of value, from the Govern
ment price downwards That these lands
will not be purchased at the Government
price, so long as better can be Obtained
for the same amount that there are large
tracts which even the Improvements Of
absent lands will never raise to that
price; and that the present uniform price,
combined with their irregular valne, op-
crates to prevent desirable compactncss
Of settlement in the new States. and to re-
tard the full developement Of that wise
policy on which our land system is found.
ed, 10 the injury not only of the several
States where the lands lie, but ofthe U.
States rs q whole. ..a .-.-
The remedy proposed has been a re
duction Of prices according 10 the length
Of lime the lands have been in market
without reference TO any other circum
stances The certainty that the efflux o
time would not always in such cases, ant
perhaps not even generally furnish Iru,
criterion Of value; and the prnbabilit,
that persons residing in the vicinity, a
the period lot the reduction Of prices mp
preached. would postpone purchases the,
would otherwise make. for the purpose o
awaiting themselves oithe lower price
with other considerations Of a simia
character, have hitherto been success
fully urged to defeat the graduation upo'
time. sta,a b. p. .
May not all reasonable desires upo
this subject be- satisfied wilhou, ereonnsel
ing any Of these QUESTIONS All wi
.oncede the abstract principle, that tn
price ofthe public lands should be pre-
portioncd 10 their relative value, so far a