Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1841-07-03
SENATOR TALLMADGE AND THE
PUBLIC LANDS.

As "all hands agree" that this distn-
guished and gallant conservative from
New York must be the next Vice Presi-
dent of the United States, we are sure our
readers in the west will be gratified in the
perusal of the sound and manly scnti-
ments he entertains in reference to the
public domain, and the disposition of its
proceeds. We therefore extract the follow
ing from the splendid speech which he de-
ivered the other day at the TivoG Saloon,
in New York, on the occasion of public
dinner which was rendered him. and which
the public prints concur in representing
as greatly the most magnificent affair Of
the kind which ever came off in Gotham"
&C entlemen, the next measure which suppose
ought to be brought forward at this extra session is
bill to distribute the sales of the public lands.
| Tremendous cheering.
Time will not permit me to dwell on this subject;
but will merely say, in general terms, that deem
this one of the most important measures that can
be adopted at the present time. There has been an
objection started by some against the distribution
of the public lands, because, in the present state
nf the revenues of the country we require the pro-
ceeds of the public lands for the public defence.
say that for such defence five millions of dollars
distributed amongst the States is worth more than
twenty millions disposed Of in any other way.
(Cheers.) Such distribution will enable the States
to 60 on with their internal improvements. and to
sustain the State credit and so be prepared for the
nationa! defence in time Of war. (Cheers.) Let
me illustrate this position for one moment by re-
er!ing to the system Of internal Improvements that
has been carried ont with such prosperous results
in our State. Carry your recollection back to the
period of the late war. If the improvements now
in such successful operation had existed then, the
Government would have saved in the course of n
single campaign more than the entire cost of their
construction. (Cheers) What further have these
Improvements done for us? Why, they have fur
nished the means of ample and efficient defence in
time of need. Look at Western New York. Look
at what she was before the commencement of this
system of internal improvement; look at vOur
wheat-growing country; look at the improvements
of the Cayuga and Seneca lakes and YOU will find
that wheat was once only two shillings and six
pence n bushel, and lands, whose maximum value
was then ONLY so an acre, and much of it at but
five, six, or seven, now at 500 $50, 800, and on
to 500 an acre. Then suppose we were in war.
and it became necessary to levy direct tax, and
suppose the quota Of New York be $500, 600, why
on the assessed value of real property in the State
of New York one half uill tax would paw the
ternal improvements. You have increased the
value of property; you have given it twenty fold
ay, hundred fold the value which it formerly had
and by the distribution Of the proceeds of the
public lands you would be enabled to complete your
works of internal improvement, and thereby you
would do more for the national defence than if you
contributed hundred millions to Qualifications.
do not mean that there should be any withholding
of what is necessary for the public defence.
r would appropriate literally. | would increase the
Navy, and | wonld 90 into steamships, so that you
may cope with other Governments. But give the
proceeds of the public lands to the several States
so that they may proceed with their internal i'm
provemcnts, and you will soon have the means tu
complete your national defenceS. (Cheers.)
There is another subject, gentlemen, connected
with that to which | have Just alluded. | mean
| permanent presumption law. | have always voted
for it, and so long as have voice in your egis
E lative assemblies | shall continue my advocacy
it but would combine with it that which Mr.
n Clay NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. cheering, waving o
: handkerchiefs c.)-that which Mr. C,av, | say
was willing to cOmoine with it; that is, to combln
, the principle of presumption with the Distribution
bill, and put them in the same bill. | will not q
into discussion of this matter--sutfce it to So
that, by putting the two principles together,
may prove satisfactory to the friends of both, an
effect the passage of both. Now, am in favor
in general terms, Of prescription, because it afford
+ every facility to the hardy pioneers of the West
the log-cabin boys! (Great applause And
. have, my friends, little feeling on this subject o
os-cabins. | rccollcct, when | vas boy, tia