The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1837-12-23

10 llCtl lOldJlNO NdlhOs SO ldl % hltb Ntii w
without departing from the
rule heretofore observed, requiring fixed
prices in cases of private entries. The
difficulty of the subject seems TO lie 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 as the
basis of taXatlon-an actual valuation OF
lands, and classification of them into diff
lerent rates! Would 1t not be practicable
and expedient TO cause the relative value Of
the public lands in the old districts, which |
have been for a certain length Of time in
market, TO be appraised, and classed into |
two or more rates below the present mini |
mum price, by the officers now employed
in this branch of the public service, or i'll
any other mode deemed preferable, and to
make those prices permanent, ifupon the
coming in of the report, they shall prove
satisfactory to Congress! Cannot all the
objects of graduation be accomplished in
this way, and the objections which have
hitherto been urged against it avoided! 1t
would seem to me that such a step, with a
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 pro-
mulgated, persons living at distance would
be informed Of their true condition, and en-
abled to enter into competition with those
residing in the vicinity; the means of ac-
quiring an independent home would be
brought within the reach of many who are
unable to purchase at present prices; the
e al l..
more compact, and large tracts would be
sold which would otherwise remain on
hand; not only would the land be brought
within the means ola larger number of pur-
chasers, but many persons possessed Of
greater means would be content to settle on
Il larger quantity of the poorer lands, rath-
er than emigrate further west in pursuit of
smaller quantity of better lands. Such
measure would also seem TO be more con-
sistent with the policy of the existing laws
It at Of converting the public domain in
to cultivated farms owned by their occu-
pants. That policy is not best promoted
by sending emigration up the almost inter-
minable streams of the West, to occupy in
groups the best spots Of land, leaving inn
mense wastes behind them, and charging
the frontier beyond the means of the Gov
ernment to afford it adequate projections.
but IN encouraging it to occupy, with rea-
sonable deuseness, the territory over which
it advances, and find It's best defence in
the compact front which itpresents to the
lndiaii tribes. Many Of you will bring TO
the consideration the subject the advanta-
gcs OF local knowledge and greater expert
ence, and all will be desirous of making an
early and final disposition of every disturb
ing question in regard to this important in
terest. If these suggestions shall in any
degree contribute to the accomplishment
Of so important a result, it will afford me
sincere satisfaction.
In some sections ofthe country, most of
the public lands have been sold, and the
registers and receivers have very little to
do. 1t is a subject worthy of inquiry
whether, in many cases, two or more dis
trcts may not be consolidated, and the
number of persons employed in this bnsi-
ness considerably reduced. Indeed. the
time will come when it will he true policy
of the General Government, as to some of
the States, TO transfer to them, for rea-
sonable equivalent, all the refuse and un-
sold lands, and to Withdraw the machinery
of the federal land offices altogether. All
who take comprehensive view of our fed
eral system, and believe that one of its
greatest excellencies consists in interfering
as little as possible with the internal CON
Germs of the States, look forward with great
interest to this result.
modification of the existing laws in
respect to the prices of the public lands,
might also have favorable influence on
the Legislation of Congress in relation to
another branch Of the subject. Many who
have not the ability to buy at present pri-
ces, settle on those lands, with the hope of
acquiring from their cultivation the means
Of purchasing under pro-emption laws,
from time to time passed by Congress.
For this encroachment on the rights of the
United States, they excuse themselves I'M
der the plea Of their own necessities; the
fact that they dispossess nobody, and only
enter upon the waste domain; that they
give additional value to the public lands in
their vicinity, and their intention ultimate
ly to pay the Govemmentprice. So much
weight has from time TO time been attached
to these considerations, that Congress have
passed laws giving actual settlers on the
public lands a right Of pre-emption to the
tracts occupied by them at the minimum
price. These laws have in all instances
L.