Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-08-14


The DISTRIBUTION and Pre- Emption Bill
the backsliding of the Locos in Congress,
and the triumph Of the 'pjoneer" oUer the
'ps,ty"
The last number of the Patriot contained
the Distribution and Presumption Bill and
the vote on its passage.
We ask our readers to recur TO it now
that they may go along with us in the COM
ment we intend making upon its provisions.
In reference to the first nine sections of the
Bill which embrace the Distribution features
we subjoin, with pleasure, the following
remarks from the Missouri Republican, in
lieu of those we might submit ourselves
We bespeak for them a careful perusal by
the candid and intelligent of all parties; and
especially by those whose opposition TO this
munificient measure, and the principles of
the present administration, has been as con-
slant as we fear it has been iiudged.
This law, while it does equal :-lslice to all,
IS at the same time more beneficial 10 the new
States than any, and all, laws intended for their
benefit, which have preceded it. Without abol.
ishing any grant, or bounty allowed the new
States, by former enactments, or compacts, by
this act is saperadded the SUM OF ten per cent to
all former grants TO EACH NEW STATE, OF the net
sales Of lands acitdin the same. For instance: -
Alter the aggregate net proceeds Of the sales OF
lands in all the States, for given time, say the
whole year Of 1912, shall be ascerlaned, the sum
of ten per cent. is deducted from The net sales Of
lands within each State, and donated 10 the State
in ,ctch such sales trsre made, aud the residne be.
comes part OF the common fund for distribution
among all the States, according to the Federal
population. In other words: Suppose the net
proceeds OF the sales Of public lands lying within
the State Of Missouri, during the year 1912, (aIter
first deductIng all the expenses enumerated in the
second section, and allowances under former
acts,) to be 100000 of dolars,--then, the
State Of Missouri is entitled to ten per cent, or
one tenth OF this sum, or 100000, as her own
share of the sales Of lands within her own limits,
from this ten per cent. allowance, alone.
Then, let us suppose, that, after all the expen
SEES and other deductions enumerated under the
second section Of the act, together with the above
ten per IT., are made, if there shall remain, say
only $4,000 600 to be distributed among the
tweuty.six States, for the year 1912, Missouri
will be entitled, under the act Of distribution, to
the additional sum Of about 1920, 000-making
an aggregate OF s22O000, from the ten per cent.
and distribution sources, for that single gear, er.
Cuisine, too, of the five per cent. fund to which
every State becomes entitled, by compact, upon
admission into the Union, which would increase
the above aggregate to some 40 or so, 900 dollars
more.
This law is peculiarly favorable TO Missouri
Missouri contains about 10000 square miles, and
about 324, 900 white male inhabitants. Suppo-
sing this population to be divided into families Of
five persons each there would be 81, 800 families.
Again suppose that each OF these families was the
owner Of quarter section Of land, upon an av.
erage throughout, and there would be now 64,-
500 quarter sections. equal to POO sections en-.
tered within the State. But while there are many
Of these families who own as much as several
whole sectors, there are also great number OF
families who own no land al ALL as is the case
with the inhabitants OF cities and towns generally;
50 that We allow that there is an average Of half
a section OF land sold for every family in the State,
which we think an extravagant allowance, even
then there arc but j., 400 sections Of land yet
sold in the State, leaving $1,000 yet to be dis.
posed of--moIe than half.
The law provides that these per centages and
distribution shall enure to the new States, until a
war shat break out. Should we he blessed with
peace for twenty years longer by that time near.
~ all these 81 900 sections will be sold out and
now, let US see wkG, will be MsSoug's ten per
cent. share Of the lands within her borders, sup.
posing al! to BE- sold in twenty years, (as will be
the case or was, remains vii! Een be donated to
her.
The $1,000 sections, at one dollar and GUAR.
ter per acre, amounts to S30,0O0,00O Suppose
Missourl's quota OF expenses in surveys, salaries,
&c. under the second section, TO be $50, 600,
there will then remain $500, 600 900, from which
she will be entitled 10 ten per cent, or equal TO
S3,0O0,000 Besides this she comes in for her
State dividend, which say. &l2O, 900 year until
the next census in 1885, makes 81, 08O, 900
more; or, both together, S4,0S0,000. After
1850, although her per centage shall have con,
slderably fallen of on account OF her sales made;
yet, on account Of her great increase in popula.
ton her Dividends after that will more than make
up her loss Of per centage. Missouri will then
contain from s to 900, 900 federal numbers while
that Of at least fifteen Of the present States will
not he greater taan it noW is. The revenue thus
accTuing 10 Missouri, in twenty years, will not be
less than from eight 10 10 ten millions of dollars
The presumption portion Of the bill, is decided
ly the best that has ever yet bee devised; and will
tend rapidly 10 populate our State.
We feel assured that the honest, reflect.
ing men Of Missouri, upon q review of this
Bill and upon review OF the past profess.
ions and present practice Of their Represen,
tatiyes in Congress; will cordially render
their assent to the business of the above ar.
ticle.
The Presumption portion of the BlI-for
ii is to that we now ask attention--is of vast
importance to US and merits our most I'M
prejudiced consideration, This bill estab,
fishes that which has never before been cs.
tab.!shed--a permanent, prospective, Pre-