The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-09-25
WHOLE NO. 392.

six millions Of dollars, the inference for which
they contend IS, that one hundred millions OF
dollars is their full value. II is not proposed 10
enter into any elaborate argument on this point
II is sufficient TO say that the population of our
country has increased. and will continue TO in
crease 10 an extent heretofore unparalleled in the
history of the world. The tide of emigration
from the old world, as well as from the old States
Of the Union, will continue 10 flow 10 the public
lands. These causes will keep up the demand
for this property so long as il can be bought at
one dollar and twenty five cents per acre, until
II is exhausted. No calculation can be made of
the extent of this demand in any one year
The revenue from this source, great as il has
| been, will continue TO increase. The fact IS
undoubted that the number of acres now amounts
to ten hundred and eighty millions, and that the
minimum price is one dollar and twenty-five
cents per acre. This is the important matter
This is the point TO which the attention Of our
people should be directed. The consideration
that the whole Of these lands cannot be disposed
OF at once, IN some respects, adds TO the import
ance of the proposed distribution to the people Of
Maryland, Our proportion of the annual sales
VIII be sufficient TO pay the interest on the debt
OF the State, and we will be enabled to provide
sinking fund TO meet the principal of that debt
when il shall have become due. The possession
OF the whole OF our proportion of the proceeds of
these public lands might lead TO new underta-
kings, not warranted by prudence and sound
sense, when the share which we will annually
receive while 1t will save us from direct taxation
will not tempt our people to embark in new en-
terprises which may be too costly for our means.
hat would be the effect on the interests of
Maryland of the passage of the distribution bill
The debt Of Maryland, contracted in her efforts
to complete her gigantic public works, amounts
to fifteen millions Of dollars Her principal
works are, unfortunately, not completed, and to
/ alrat ~ Hall. ,...n
| OF money, in addition to what has already been
advanced by the state. These views are given,
not for the purpose of advocating the propriety,
under existing circumstances, of extending the
credit of the state of Maryland further than has
already been done. That subject is not the one
under consideration. The sole object now is to
present picture of the true condition of our
state. II will answer no good purpose TO ex-
press any regret for the condition of Maryland
and Baltimore. II is sufficient to say. that at
present the state is liable for fifteen millions Of
| dollars, aud the city of Baltimore for five mil
lions, five hundred thousand dollars. 1t is known
that the principal works in which these large
amounts have been invested are not now pro
ductive, and cannot be made to produce the in
terest Of their cost without further expenditures
to large amount II is grave question whe-
Their these circumstances would justify an in
crease of the public debt; but il is certain that
the proposed distribution Of the proceeds of the
public lands, while it might obviate the necessi-
ty of an increase of the debt of the state would
save our people from direct taxation on account
of that already incurred.
The immediate and certain effect of the dis
tribution of the proceeds of the public land
would be to enable Maryland to complete her
public works and render them available Balti-
more would share full portion of the benefits
to be thence derived. With rail road extend
ing to the Ohio, by the nearest and most direct
route from the Atlantic, with canal from Cum
berland to her harbor, added to the facilities of
communication we already enjoy with the Sus-
quehanna, who can foresee what will be the con-
dition of Baltimore at the termination of the
next ten years2 Her population is already from
one hundred and ten, TO one hundred and fifteen
thousand. Her property is estimated now to be
worth ftty-ive millions of dollars. With the
advantages certain 10 result from the payment
OF the debt OF Maryland and the completion of
her public works, would it be unwise to predict,
that by the beginning Of 1850, the population of
Baltimore will have increased to one hundred
and fifty thousand, and her property will have
augmented in value TO eighty millions of dol
lars The distribution Of the proceeds of the
public lands would not only enable Maryland to
complete her public works and extinguish her
public debt, and thereby avoid the necessity of
raising an immense direct tax, but permanent
fund would be provided for the education Of her
children. The benefits to flow to us and TO our
poserity from the distribution of the public lands
cannot be adequately described. With the
adoption OF this measure and the abandonment
Trash experiments, there would follow as a ne
cessary consequence, the restoration of public
confidence, the establishment of the credit of
the state of Maryland and city Of Baltimore up
on firm and permanent basis, and all kinds of
business operations would be attended with an
abundant and profitable return to the industrious
and enterprising.
To secure these blessings what is necessary
When the expenditures of the general govern
ment shall be reduced to the lowest possible
amount consistent with the interests of the peo-
pie, there will be no difficulty in accomplishing
the distribution of the lands. Maryland will not
stand alone in the effort 10 produce this much
desired effect. Pennsylvania, Vermont, Rhode
Island, and other states already advocate it
New York and Virginia will unite. Most of the
old states and many of the new states will sup
port it. The election of General Harrison will.
secure its adoption.
This most desirable distribution will never be
made until the principles Of economy and reform
are in practical operation in the administration
OF the general government. The enormous ex-
penditures for the year 1887, the first year of
Mr.. Van Burens administration, placed the pub
lie treasury in such condition. as would proba
bly, have induced his party to oppose this mea-
sure, even il, under other circumstances it would
have been favored by that gentleman and his
friends. From the official report made by the
Secretary of the Treasury to the Senate Of the
United States, on the 4th May, 1910, it appears
that the expenditures for the year 1887, indie
pendent of any sum paid on account Of the pub
lie debt, amounted to thirty seven millions, two
hundred and forty three thousand, two hundred
and fourteen dollars and twenty-four cents 1t
is true that this report shows that this sum en-
braces many items for which no branch of the
III