Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1841-06-22
Cnntinncd from Isl nnCe.

Tho proceeds OF the sales OF the public lanuS
provided such DISTRIBUTION does not force
upon Congress, the necessity Of imposing
upon commerce heavier burdens than those
contemplated by the act Of 1888, would act
as an efficient remedial measure by being
brought directly i aid of the States. As
one sincerely devoted TO the task of pre-
serving q just balance in our system Of
Government, by the maintainance Of the
States in q condition the most free and
respectable; and in the full possession of
all their power, | cannot DO otherwise than
feel DESTROYS for their emancipation from
their situation to which the pressure on
their finances now subjects them. And
while must rcpudIate, as measure found
cd in error, and wanting in constitutional
sanction, the slightest approach to an as
sumption by this Government Of the debts
of the states, yet | can see in the distfibu
ton advertcd to, much to recommend it.
The compacts between the proprietor
states, and this government, expressly
guarantee to the states all the benefits
which may arise from the sales. The
mode by which this is 10 be effected, adj
dresses itself to The discretion Of Congress,
as the trustee for the States, and It's eXer-
else, after the most beneficial manner, is
restrained by nothing in the grants, or ii.
the constitution as long as Congress shall
consult that equality ia tho distribution
which the compact requires. In the pre-
sent condition Of some Of the states, the
question Of distribution may be regarded
as substantially q question between direct
taxation and Indirect taxation. If the dis
tribution be not made in some shape or
other, the necessity will become more ur-
gent with the debtor states for q resort to
an an oppressive system Of direct taxation,
and their credit, and necessarily their pow
or will be greatly diminished. The pay
ment Of taxes, often the most announcement
and oppressive mode, will be exactly in
place Of contributions, for the most part
voluntarily made, ard therefore compare
lively unoppressivc. The states are en-
phatically the constituents of this Govern
ment, and we should be entirely regard
less Of the objects held in view by them,
in the creation Of this government, if We
could be indifferent to their good.
The happy effects of such measure to
all the States, would be manifested. With
the debtor States, it would effect the relief
TO u great extern, of the citizens from a
heavy burden Of direct taxation, which
presses severely on the laboring classes,
and eminently assist in restoring The gen.
eral prosperity. An immediate advance
would take place in the price Of the State
securities, and the attitude Of the States
would become once more, as ii should ev-
or DO, lofty and erect With States labo-
ring under no extreme pressure from debt,
the fund which they would derive from
this source would enable them to improve
their condition in an eminent degree. So
far as this government is concerned, up
preparations to domestic objects approach
ing i'll amount the revenue derived from
the land sales might be abandoned, and
thus system of unequal, land therefore I'M
just system Of legislation, would be substi-
tuted by one dispensing equality to all the
members Of this confcdcracy.
Whether such distribution should be
made directly to tho States in tho proceeds
of sales, or in tbs form Of profits by virtue
Of the operations Of any fiscal agency, ha-
wing those proceeds as its basis, should
such measure be contemplated by Con-
gress, would we'll deserve its consideration.
Nor would such disposition of the pro-
cceds Of tho sales, in any mansor prevent
Congress from time to time from passin
all necessary presumption laws for the be-
neft Of tho actual settIcs-or from making
any new arrangement as TO the purchase Of
the public lands which might in future be
deemed desirable.
The state of the Navy pension fund re-
qurcs tho immediate attention Of Congress.
by the operation Of the act Of the I'd of
March, 1887, entitled "An act for the
more equitable administration the Navy
pension fund, " that fund has been cxhaus-
ted 1t will be seen, from the accompa-
nylng report of the Commissioners Of
payment Of the Navy pensions, that there
will be required for tho payment Of the
Navy pensions, On the first Of July next,
ISL, 006 06I, and on the first of January.
1912, the sum of s 10000. In addition Ia
these sums, about $4,000 will be required to
pay arrears of pensions which will proba-
bly, be allowed between the first of Julv
and the first Of January, 1912, making in
the whole $3.50, O0G 0Gl. 70 meet these
payments, there is, within the control Of
the Departmental the sum Of So ,040, leaving
deficiency Of Sl2s, 96G O6l. The public
faith requires that immediate provision
should be made for the payment Of these
sums
In order TO introduce into the Navy
desirable efficiency, a new system of &C
countabIity may be found to be indisron-
Z l..