The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-01-26

SIR the Senator from Mississippi (Mr. WsIker) pro-
poses compromise on this bill, and he further, asks IL
would vote ior this proposition Of mine Il should
stand alone, disconnected with the bill) might well
reply that be has not the night to put such question
The bill is before u.s. and offered the amendment not
distinct proposition, but to render the bill less ex-
ceptonable and less injurious TO the public interest
And have not the right TO offer for such purpose
But will say that Senator, that II he shond present
me with the alternative that should vote for the bill
hs original shape or when limited IN the manner pro-
posed then, cay without hesitation, would vote for
my proposition restricting the right Of purchase at the
reduced prices to actual settlers But whether shall
vote Tor the bill at oil quite different question We
are often compelled to take second-best or third best
y .hose measures which would gladly avoid alto
snei aud therefore repeat, If this bill must pass,
i"nnnep prefer u IN the form which have proposed
saiu 10 be unnecessary to introduce into the bill
'he restrictions which have proposed with view TO
he purchase OF each individual under the bill TO
ioo acres, because Il is alleged that, TERMS those
stricons are already in the bill But will read this
portion Of the bill
"PrOrded, That one person, under the provisions
OF this act shall be authorized purchase in legal
subdivisions, more than section but no one shall
be prohibited from entering, heretofore any quantity
OF The lands, embraced by this act at the present price
OF one dollar and twenty five cens per acre"
Here, said Mr. c. the limitation is against the right
to purchase than section Of land by The
person. But what securities does the bill provide
There are sixty land Offices in the United States
ana suppose person enters at one Of these Offices
o4o acres, would he the fact Of this entry be known
at each and all Of the other land Offices He may
then go TO every Of these Offices for any thing that
the bill now contains and make purchase at each OF
them OF GAO acres and the registers and receivers may
remain IN total ignorance Of the fact of his previous
purchases. And, what amounts to the same thing a
man With Children or friends enter in each Of their
names one section and II he should a thousand
names OF his friends and connections, there nothing
IN the bull 10 prohibit him. there guaranty against
ms thus acquiring any quantity he pleases Of the public
lands at the reduced prices
But 1t is said that the proposed limitation to l60
acres and to actual settlers the land would be wrong
and Oppressive, because, in regard to men already
settled on other lsnds, who might wish to add TO their
farms and Improvements, this restriction would amount
IN their case to prohibition, Sir, it is not SO, They
can stH purchase any amount Of land at 81 IS, and
are only denied the benefit Of making their additions at
the reduced price proposed in the bill
IL is contended that passing tins bill is necessary to
supply the wants OF the treasury. Mr.. President,
should suppose that Senators who support this Admin
isration would be extremely unwilling 10 urge this bill
on the score Of financial embarrassmenis. What.
after millions millions have been reckessy expended,
alter calls have again and again been made on the dis
bursting officers of the Government to show how much
more, and still how much more they could expend; and
now, after the sale of the United States Bank bonds,
and dissipation Of all the goods and personal effects
within the power of the Treasury to supply this Co
Vernmeh's extravaganza, will genten act the part
OF the prodigal and spend,hrf heir and say that his
real estate, his inheritance, shall be brought TO the ham
mer to supply the means Of further cx,ravagoneo3
But to sell this land on financial considerations Sir,
feel humbled at the contemplation Of such miserable
reuge-an augmentation OF the revenue by great
ducton OF the price OF public lands In my opinion,
instead OF an augmentation, 1t will cause dimnution
OF the revenue You cannot force the sale of the pub
lie lands beyond the wants OF emlgatIon and your in
creasng population. And what are thoss wants l
have not the means OF rigid estimate, but, on the
average of some thirty years, II has exceeded 2000,
OOO acres per annum, and at this time the amount
nualy wanted 10 supply the emgrants to the States
and an Increased population cannot exceed 500, 600
acres. You may glut the market by augmenting the
supply but you sell land faster than the people
want to purchase 1t. Only look at facts. Gentlemen
talk about the refuse lands, and the amount Of
them remaining unsold. But what is the cause The
supply is far than sufficient for the demand. At
the usual rate OF SALE it would take some fifteen or
twenty years TO absorb What you have the Market
and at the time the lands IN a course OF
rapid survey and continually coming into the market
And now, gentlemen seize upon that super-abundant
quantity brought into market by their pres
upon the Government, and use it an argument
TO force the sales and reduce the price.
But will look at this documcnt-at this report Of
the Secretary OF the Treasury; and allow me, sir to
say that the papers before me-, connection with this
bill, afford specimen OF ooseness IN the manner of
legislation which hope will seldom again The
hitherto pursued, and which the correct dgni
fed for this body to pursue is TO call the
Heads of Departments for the facts connected with
their Offices, and which intended to form the basis
Of legislation But what has been donel Instead
of tins, one Of the members Of committee called on
clerk and asked him for certain statements regard
sales, and he sends them here to be the basis of
legislation Sir allow read from the correspon-
dence which took place III this transaction:
GENERAL LAND OFFICE Dec. 26, 1885,
"SR: In compliance with your verbal request Of
Saturday last have the honor to enclose herewith
tabular statement exhibiting the sales within certain
periods in the Chickasaw cesson, at the graduated
prices.
In preparing the enclosed, it necessary to
the utmost despatch, order TO have ready this morn
ing. you requested and consequently it imprac
tcable TO make the requisite examinations and cacua-
tons carefully they would have been made, had
more time been allowed II is believed however, that
the enclosed is sufficiently answer the gen.
era purposes and it is hoped that may be found salts
factory"
fMr c. accompanied the reading OF this note with
running comments, especially contrasting the EVER
bal request" of individual Senator, addressed to
clerk, with the usual rather uniform practice Of adj
dressing such inquiries the Head Of Department, by
a solemn vote of the Senate, and in most after
letting the subject lie day for consideration He
also remarked the hurried which this basis
OF legislation was prepared
MS more (salu MI vi is Slgneu by MT moore,
principal clerk the Office of the Commissioner Of the
Public Lands, excellent aud dligen officer, and is
addressed TO member Of the Senate, mir. Benton i
And this document is ohained-to do what To found
1t graduation Of the price OF the public lands which
it is supposed is prevail over every portion Of the
country II to sci precedent, by which the princl
pie Of the graduation and reduction Of the public lands
progress further and further and be carried out,
only in reference to this II 000, 600 now in
the market, aud to the many other millions yet remain.
ing unsold within the limits of the several States and
Territories but the $50 600 600 exterior TO the
limits of the States and Territories Of the United States.
And this document, made very hastily, is to be our
guide and standard in so momentous act Of legisa-
ton as this