Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-12-18

market nc faster than good lands are supposed to
be wanted for improvements, thereby preventing
the accumulation Of large tracts in few hands; md
to apply the proceeds Of the sales to the general
purposes Of the government; thus diminishing the
amount to be raised from the people Of the statep
by taxation, and giving each state its portion Of
the benefits to be derived from common fund
IN manner the most quiet, and at the same
time, perhaps, the most equitable that can be
devised.
These provisions, with occasional enactrnonts
in behalf OF special interests deemed entitled to
the favor OF the government, have, in their execu-
ton produced results beneficial upon the
whole as could reasonably be expected in a mat
ter so vast, so complicated, and SO exciting. Up
wards of seventeen millions of acres have been
sold, the greater part of which is believed to hays
been purchased for actual settlement The pop-
ulation of the new states and territories created
out OF the public domain, increased between
1900 and 1880 from less than sixty thousand IN
upwards of two millions three hundred thousand
souls, constituting at the latter period about one
fifth of the whole population of the United States,
The increase since cannot be accurately known,
but the whole may now be safely estimated at
over three and half millions of SOULS composing
nine states, the representatives Of which consti-
tute above third Of the senate, and over one
sixth of the house Of representatives Of the Uni
ted States.
! There has been formed body of free and in
| dependent landhoders, with a rapidly unequaed
in the history OF mankind and this great result
has been produced without leaving any thing Tor
future adjustment between the government and
its citizens. The system under which so much
has been accomplished, cannot be intrinsieally
bad, and with occasional notifications 10 correct
| abuses, and adapt it to changes Of circumstancea
may, ! think, be safely trusted for the future
There is, in the management of such extensive
interests, much virtue in stability, and although
great and obvious Improvements should not be
declined, changes should never be made without
the fullest examination, and the clearest demon
straton 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 rela-
ton TO the public lands nor is it believed that
any necessity exists for interfering with the fun
damental principles Of the system, that the
public mind even in the New States, is dcsi-
rous of any radical alterations. On the contrary.
the general disposition appears to be, to make
such notifications ard additions only will tho
more efTectualy carry out the original policy Of
filling our new states and territories with an
dusirious and Independent population.
The modification most perseveringly pressed
upou Congress, which has occupied so much Of
its time for years past, and will probably do so
for long time TO come, ifnot sooner satslactor-
{ lily adjusted is reduction in the cost OF such
portions OF the public lands MS are ascertained 10
be unsaleable at the rate now established by law,
and graduation according to their relative value
Of the prices at which they may hereafter be so d.
1t is worthy Of consideration whether justice may
not be done to eveIy interest in this matter. end
n vexed question set at rest perhaps forever, by
e reasonable compromise of conflicting opinions
D., Hitherto, after being offered at public sale, lands
d hive been disposed of at one uniform price,
: whatever difference there might be in their in.
y trinsic value
n The leading considerations urged in favor of tho
measure referred TO are, that in almost all the land
e districts, and particularly in those in which the
d lands have been long surveyed and exposed 10
k sale there still remaining numerous and large
i tracts of every graduation of valHe from the gov
It eminent price downwards; that these lands will
h not be purchased at the government price, long
Of as better can be conveniently obtained for thu
ID same amounts that there are large tracts which
k even the improvements Of the adjacent lands will
never raise to that price; and that the present uni
, form price. combined with their irregular vnluo,
lie operates 10 prevent desirable compactness Of
IS settlement in the new states, and TO retard the
10 full development Of that wise policy on which our
ii land system is founded, 10 the injury not only Of
IS the several states where the lands lie, hut Of the
y United States whole
s. The remedy proposed has been reduction Of
N prices according to the length of time the lands
IN have been IN market, WITHOUT reference 10 any
D other circumstances. The certainty that the ef-
Aux of time would not always in such cases. and
al perhaps not even generally, furnish true crteri
10 on of vaue and the probability that persons
G siding in the vicinity, the period for the red
80 ton of prices approached, would postpone pur-
!; chases they would otherwise make, for the pur-
- pose of awaiting themselves of the lower price,
T.. with other considerations of n similar character,
- have hitherto been successfully urged 70 defsa
,o the graduation upon time.
- MAY not all reasonable desires upon this
os subject be satisfied without encountering any
.. OF these objections D.? All will concede the
a abstract principle that the price OF the pub
o. lie lands should be proportioned TO their rel
n alive value SO lar as that can be accom-
D. plished without departing (rem the RUE
to heretofore observed, requiring fixed pTicet
IS. in cases of private entries The difficulty Of
d. the subject seems TO lie IN the mode oi as
ne certaining what the value is. Would no
lie the safest plan be that which has been adop
e. ted by many Of the States as the basis o
he taxation-an actual valuation OF lands anC
on classification Of them into different rates
ly Would it not be practicable and expedient Il
cause the relative value Of the public land:
Nv in the old districts which have been Tor 6
e. certain length OF time IN market, TO he APP
Sc praised, and classed into two or more rate
ed below the present minimum price, by tht
Id officers now employed in this branch Of the
by public service, or in any other mode deem
o. ed preferable, and 10 make those prices per
To- manent, if upon The coming in Of the re
cy port they shall prove satisfactory 10 con