Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-01-24

wants was thus annually received into the public tEeasu
~ and the principle Of equality III i's distribution among
the States was for long period entirely lost sght
aroe sums were avshed particular States, while all
participation in the benefits of fund.- raised 40
we'll from the sales Of the public lands as from du'lcs
on imports denied TO other States ol the con''ne-
racy except upon conditions with which they i"n"G u
nnossble TO comply The money arising from the sales
of the Public Lands was mixed up with Gil o.'rr mo-
MES the Treasury and Of consequence received 'he
unequal application and direction MOT VIZ
those expenditures made by drafts upon The pa"'c nsc
exclusively. The Public Lands thus set apart bS s"rh
compacts as a common fund for the benefit "i MI "e
States, have been granted by Congress IN large guam
lies to several Of the Sales while no corresponding
grants have been made 10 others Those grants, o''i
Than the grants made for schools ana ,';'''"
have amounted 10 upwards 90 600 n0aces, e1ceedhree
millions Of Observation-Disclosures that the SAID Stales
received under their conpacts Win tne o"'''u
States upon being admitted into The Union, . per cent
upon the sales of lands within tier nIis, ana "hicn
has amounted to upwards of 50 00O 10 be applied
20 the construction of roads within The same.
Nor the committee perceive any just g'onnus Tor
believing that The heretofore pursued by lie 20
verrulen in the appropriation OF the governmental re-
venues, is likely TO be changed IN iutu!e Immense
sums are still annually appropriated Tor purposes IN
which many Vi the Stes OF the Union have no interest
whatever Ii would be- both curious and instructive, II
IT was possible Tor the committee 10 DO So 10 follow ont
expenditures of the Government for series OF years,
and to exhibit estimate OF the benefits derived by
zach Of the States from such expenditure Your com
ntee do be understood as referring 10 those
expenditures which plainly called tor TO meet the re.
gular operations of the Government bn to those extra
rdinary appropriations which annually made tor OBJ
ecs not specifically des gnated by The Constitution II
already been said that the monies derived iroE' Inc
ass of The public lands mixed up IN the treasury
wilh all other monies, and must necessarily bear rate
able proportion 10 such other funds, in all public Cxpen
,itures. Although they flow into the Treasury through
different channel from that which is followed by other
OF revenue yet they are there received INTO Inc
Ipra Yhpir IiSIip
ter is lost and flow again in unIi"rm current -
Suffice say, that Virginia has participated IN none
of those expenditures 10 extent OF much Importance
The reasons for this it is not necessary 10 assign
Should she not desire 10 be admitted 10 the enjoy.
OF her rights under her compact with Congress BY
That compact she is fairly entitled to an equality OF bene
1T arising from the sales Of the public lands She will
seek the attainment of that object by all fair and honor
able courses. While the public debt in progress OF
payment she manifested wish TO divert a dollar ct
public income from that important object. But that
debt is now extnguished. The other sources OF reye
nue. are than sufficient to supply all the legitimate
proper wants of the Government under wise and
economical administration Of its affairs Why, them
should her fair proportion Of the monies derived from
The sales of the Public Lands be denied 10 her? Your
committee is unable TO perceive any sound objection to
his: but on the contrary, drawing its augury for the
future from the past, it considers this General Assembly
bound by the highest considerations of State AID ge
neral policy, TO urge the measure Of distribution upon
Congress. The subject Of the Public Lands is one OF
fearful import not only to the purity but 10 the stability
of our political Institutions Political parties headed by
ambitious leaders, judging Of what may be by what has
been In the history OF other countries may be tempted
II use them order TO decide doubtful issues Every
principle Of Justice and equality the distribution Of be-
nefs may come to be overlooked, and the obligation Of
The most solemn comPacts be entirely set aside
BY placing the disposal Of The States their ds,rbu
table shares Of the proceeds of the sales, guarantees
would at once be afforded against all violations Of the
cpnpacts in regard to them-viglant senline!s would
thereby be placed over the action of Congress The di-
interest which each of the States would hare in the
public lanes would cause the people TO watch narrowly
pursued by their representatives. concerning
Nor is This all! constant vigilance w"ulG also be
xeIcsed all the expenditures U the Federal Go
yernment in order avoid all nducrment lis part to
to that to supply Deficiencies IN the
venue The age of economy, we may Ondy hope, would
IN measure be restored, and with ii the standard Of
moral sentiment be elevated. Improvement the face
at the whole country would rapidly display itself -
Works either undertaken. anguIshIng for the
means execute them. would be pressed with vgor;
and chains of union indrssoluhle, because formed Of
reciprocal interests, b. thrown around tie States
Schools for the instruction and education of the youth
the country would be built up and endowed and other
bjecls, Of highly interesting character 10 the people
large receive due attention. The fund for the ulti
nate accomplishment Of all these noble purposes is
ibundantly urge The estimated quantity of the public
nds the Indian title 10 which has bren extingu!shrd.
amounts IL 3i9536 22 acres, while that 10 which the
Indian title has mol been acquired is estimated al 76G-
10 COO 54S 600 uG0 whereof lie East and 2S 0GG 900,
Vest of the Rocky Mountains. Here, then, is
Ui which the States may rely for uuiirn
It'd period TO enable them 10 build up systems, which,
iar useful than the pyramids of Egypt, will their
results be equally enduring With their increase in
wealth aud population the States will Else up condi.
Of dignity und importance, aud thereby furnish TO
The friends Of the iedeaIive system the assurance that the
Government created by torefahers will be preserved
in all its purity Tor ages yet TO come The benz fetal
effects of such could fail be experienced
~ this State in eminent degree Her people
strongly welded 10 agricultural pursuits and their CAPT
tai for the most part vested in lands. Hence the d-
ruy of raising funds to carry into execution those
porlant schemes Of internal improvement which have
been from time 10 time contemplated fruitful source
uf revenue would through such measure be provided
which, aided by her other resources, would enable her.
the fulncss Of Time fulfil wise and glorious dest-
ny. In awaiting herself Of the benefits thus held
her, she would be guilty Of no in justice 10 any but would
he enjoying advantages which she carefully reserved III
Yer deed OF CessiOn and for which she will have paid
realty than just equva!ent:i the surrender Of
her public domain
In subducling the amour, Of the proct eds Of sales
Of the public lands from the public revenue. there is
:nod for antic patng, under prudent admins
ration OF the Government, the Imposition If additional
hurthens commerce. II should, as has before been
laid lead rather 10 reduction Of Expenditure by restrain
ing the appropriations within reasonable bounds
The fact is well accredited by the experience of all
that expenditure tends ~ increase with the increase
nf income. So too, it would follow as dictate
nf wisdom, which governments any more than ndiv.
Guals not al liberty 10 disregard in The management
If their affairs, To avoid an indulgence expenditures
,nd appropriations beyond their actual If def
cences Of revenue should arise, which are likely to be
prrnanent it bc comes the solemn duty Of those whose
hands entrusted tho great interests Of the people
I.'ok narrowly the appropriations, and far prac
;icabe 10 restrain them within the annual income II is
'rue that the duties upon imports in rapid progress
of dimnution which will go until 1s42, by Of
The provisions of what commonly called The compro
mise act. But it is by universally true that
imin ution in the amount OF duty is attended by dim
sutton OF Income. Low duties most commonly encou-
rage increased mporalions by inducing enla ged
consumption, while high duties have contrary tendcn
cy This committee would be very far from recommend
g any which in its opinion, would go weak
the obligations imposed Congress by The compro-
mise act but having eye 10 the stipulation which il
Contains that after the year 1871 higher duties shab
laid than necessary for prudent and economical ad