Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-01-31
GENERAL AssEna8LY OF VIRGINIA.
THE PUBLIC LANDS.

In the House of Delegates, abou, a week
since, MIR. TrLER, from the Select Comm i,iee on
the subject Of the Public Lads, made 4 report,
concluding with the following resolutions:
Resoirsd, That the public land, he'd by
the United States belong in common TO
ell The States. and that each and all are
entitled TO participate in the benefits de-
rivable therefrom.
Resoired. Tha, it is amongst, the most
solemn duties devolved upon the Con gre %
OF the United States. "fs,thiuily aud BONA
tide" to dispose Of the public lands IN such
manner Is will equally enure 10 the ben
eft Of all the States who may now be. or
shall hereafter become members Of the
Confederacy and that this General As.
sembly depIeea,es the adoption OF all such
measures by Congress as will have a con-
trary tendency.
Resoie'd. That whilst this General As
sembly views with becoming pride the
rapid growth Of the New States. and
would do nothing TO check their advance
10 wealth and power. IL nevertheless can.
not fail TO perceive in some of the propo.
sitions now pending before Congress. the
germ OF measures calculated to unsetile
the conditions on which the Public Lands
were coded By the original proprie tor
States. and greatly 10 impair the equality
OF benefit arising from the same. IN which
Virginia, 10 Common with all the States,
isjusi!y entitled to participate.
Resofped. That not only the experience
OF the past. but a wise forecast. requires
the speedy adoption Of some equitable plan
providing for the distribution among the
States in just proportions. OF the proceeds
Of the sales Of the public lands. and ihi,
General Assembly doth therefore earnest
ly urge upon Congress the immediat u
dop'ion OF such measures as will be bes,
calculated 10 attain this most desirable OBJ.
ject.
Resolrsd. Tha. the Governor OF ihis Com
monwealih transmit the foregoing Report
and Resolutions to each Of the Senstors
aud Representatives. in Congress from
this State. with = request that the same
be laid before the two Houses OF Congress.
The report having been read. some dis.
cussion took place as 10 the number oi
copies proper to be printed, and 200 were
ordered, with the understanding that q
larger number would be moved when the
subject shall have undergone the action
OF the House.
The consideration Of these resolutions has en-
crossed much OF the time OF the House since
their presentation, portion Of which have been
adopted with great unanimiiy.
CRIMINAL Cope or Va The Speaker
OF The House Of Delegates. on Monday
last, laid before the House letter from
Chapman Johnson. Esq. explaining the
Causes Of delay IN executing the duty Of
revising the Criminal Laws Of The State
he having been appointed for that pur.
pose by an act Of the Legislature. oil the
2]d March. 1896.
The principal CAME assigned by Mr.. J.
was his extreme bad health and impaired
vision for long time past lie sisiesthat
both are now much improved. but that he
can give no assurance OF being sble 10
complete the work during the present
year" and Iha: he would cheerfulIy re-
sign its performance 10 some more compe.
tent hand.
lie concludes that ifth4 Legislature can
make no provision more satisfactory. and
IL his health and sight should continue 10
improve. he will with the assistance of
his son NOV annotated with bim) present
the fevisal 10 the next General Assembly.