The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1837-12-12

uniCorm price, whatever difference there might be
in tboir in trinsc value The leading considerations
oed in favor of (the measure referred to- are, that
in almost all the land districts, and particularly IN
those in which the lands have been long surveyed
and exposed sale, there are still remaining nu-
merous and large tracts OF every gradatlon OF Vaue
from the government prices downward; that those
lands will not be purchased at the government price,
81 long MS better can be conveniently obtained Tor
the same amount; and there are large tracts which
| even the improvements OF the adjacent lands VIII
never raise to that price and that the present uni
form price combined together with theif irregular
value, operates to prevent desirapie cohPaoI"Iss
IF settl,ment in the new states ana 10 retaru the
full developement of that wise policy on when our
land system is founded, TO the injury not only OF
the several states where the land lie, but OF the Unit
ed States n whole.
| The remedv proposcd has been a reduction OF
prices according to the length of time the lands
have been in market without reference to any other
circumstances. The certainty that the effiuX OF
time would not always in such cases, and perhaps
not even generally furnish true criterion OF value;
and the probability that persons residing in the VI
cinity as the period Production of prices approach
ed would postpone purchases they would otherwise
make for the purpose of avaing themselves of the
lower price, with other considerations OF SIM liar
character have hitherto been successfully urged to
defeat the graduation upon time
Nav not all reasonable desires upon this subject
be satisfied without encounterng any CT these OBJ
jections? All will concede the abstract principle
that the price of the public lands should be proper
toned to their relative value, far as that can be
accomplished without departing from the rule here
tofore observed requiring fixed prices in of pr
vato entries The difficulty of the subject seems
be in the mode of ascertaining what that value is
Would not the safest plan be that which has been
adopted by many of the states the basis OF taxa
ton-an actual valuation OF lands, and clnsslfica-
ton of them into different rates? Would 1t not be
practicable and expedient to cause the relative val
NC of the public lands in the old districts, which
have been for length of time in market, to be APP
praised and classed into two rates below the
present minimum price, by the officers now employ
cd N n he
other mode deemed preferable, and to make those
prices permanent, if upon coming out OF the report
all The objects of graduation be accomplished in this
way, and the objections which have been hitherto
urged against it avoided 1t would seem to me
that such step, with restriction of the sales to
limited quantities, and for actual improvement,
would be free from all just exception
BY the full exposition of the value of the lands
thus furnished and extensively promulgated, per-
sons living distance would be informed of their
true condition, and enabled to enter into competl'
ton with those residing in the vicinity the means
of acquiring an independent home would be brought
within the reach of many who are unable to pur-
chase at tho present prices; the population OF the
states would be made moro compact. and large
tracts would be sold which would otherwise remain
on hand not only would the land be brought with
in the reach of larger number of purchasers, but
many persons possessed of greater means would be
content to settle larger quantity of tho poorer
lands, rather than emgrate further west in pursuit
of u smaller quantity Of better lands. Such meas
would also seem to be more consistent with the
policy of existing laws-that of converting the pub
lie domain into cultivated farms owned by their
occupants. That policy is not best promoted by
sending emigration up tho almost interminable
streams of the west, to occupy in groups the best
spots OF land, leaving immense wasten behind them,
and charging the frontier beyond the means of the
goyernmeE. TO afford adequate protection; but in
encouraging it occupy, with reasonable denseness
the territory over which it advances, and find its
to the Indian tribes Many o. YOU will bring to the
consideration of the subject the advantages VI i1Gh
knowledge and greater experience, and I'll wa pe
desirous of making early and final disposlt2n c!
every disturbing question in regard to this important
interest. If these suggestions shall in any degree
contribute to the accomplishment of so important n
result, it will afford me sincere satisfaction
In some sections of the country, most of the pub
lie lands have been sold, and the registers receivers
have very little to do 1t is subject worthy Of in
JURY, whether, in many cases, two or more dis
riots may be consolidated, and the number of per-
sons employed in the business considerably reduced
Indeed, the time will come when it will be the
rue policy of the general government, as to some
IF the states, TO transfer to them, for reasonable
equivalent, all the refuse and unsold lands, and TO
withdraw the machinery of the federal land officer
altogether. All who take a comprehensive view of
our federal system, and believe that OF its great
est excelencies consists in interfering as little
possible with the internal concerns of the States,
look forward with great interest to the result
A modification of the existing laws in respect TO
the prices of public lands, mig hit also have fay
bic influence on the legislation of Congress, in roa
ion to another branch of the subject. Many who
have not the ability to buy at present prices settle
On those lands, with the hope Of acquiring from their
cultivation the means of purchasing under prc-emp
ion laws, from time to time passed by Congress.
For this encroachment of the rights of the United
States, they excuse themselves under the plea of
heir necessities; the fact that they dspossess
nobody, and only enter upon the waste domain;
hat they give additional value to the public lands
N their vicinity, and their intention ultimately to
pay the government price. So much weight has
rom time to time been attached to these considera-
ions, that Congress have passed laws giving actual
settlers on the public lands Alright of presumption to
The tracts occupied by them at the minimum price.
These laws have in all instances been retrospective
IN their operation but few years after their pas
sage, crowds of new settlers have been found
The public lands, for similar reasons and under like
Expectations, who have been INDUCED with the
same privileges. This of legislation tends
% impair public respect for the laws of the country.
Either the laws to prevent intrusion upon the pub
c lands should be executed, or, if that should be
or inexpedent, they should be modi-
fed repealed IF the public lands are to be con-
'idered as open to be occupied by any, they should
by law, be thrown open to all. That which is in