Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-04-08
POLITICS..
THE LAND DISTRIBUTION LAW.
In .lssemJiy-.uarch %, 1ol2.

In lssembig-.uurch %, lol2
REPORT
OF the Committee on Public Lands in relation TO so
much of the Governors Message relates TO the
share of the State OF New York in the proceeds
thereof
Mr. Cramer from the Select Committee, to whom
was referred much of the Governor message rs re-
laes the share of the State oil New ork IN Tie pro-
ceeds of the public lands, REPORTS:
That they have examined the Governors Message
and the Distribution Law, with especial reference TO
the object for which tins Committee was ralsed VIZ:
TO determine how far legislation safely rest on this
law, basis to sustain future loans for the compile
tio of public works, or TO exunguish the present
Indebtedness of the State.
But us the question is which has been often
ar,ated in our legislative halls, the Committee have
also deemed 1t their duty to examine this measure in
all its bearings
1t not gratutous to aver that its real object was 10
enable the States pay the debts they owed TO foreign
capitalists though at that time It wcs yeed under the
specious preence of restoring trust property TO its true
The first distribution under the act.s to be made on
the first of July next, the second the first day OLA
nuary, lS43 and afterwards at the expiration of every
Six months
Perhaps may be well to give brief synopsis of this
law:
Ffrsty Ten pc. centum of the nett proceeds oe the
public lands sold within Inc limits Of Ohio Indiana, II.
nois, Michigan, Arkansas, Mississippi and Missouri,
shall be paid TO those States respectively.
Sscondiy After this previous deduction of 10 per
centum the residue OF the proceeds be distributed
10 all the States, not according TO their actual popua-
ton, but according to their Federal representation
Ihtrdtu. Five hundred thousand OF land is
granted 10 each OF the States but those which
have heretofore received Donations much only shall
be granted shall make up the limit of 800 900
like grant be made TO all States which shall here
after be admitted into the Union.
Fourhty The distribution is to cease, in case of war;
from the CONNIE ment OF hoses. 1t also 10 be
suspended whenever Congress, after July lst, 1872
shall impose duties, beyond 20 per cent the value
of a single article imported
This n concise but fair outline Of the Distribution
Law referred TO by the Governor, in his last annual
message, in which he thus the Legislature TO rely
upon this law of the chef resources for the COM
pletion of our public works:
"To remove all question concerning the fiscal sound
ness and moral integrity OF the State | recommend
that all future revenues from the National Domain
shall be pledged sinking fund, to the extingush-
nent of tue principal of the public debts, annually pay
ing and providing for the payment OF part Of the prln-
clpa, and absorbing first the older debts
The Committee would therefore call the particular
attention of this House 10 the contingencies upon which
this law rests:
LIST. In the event of
I'd. When the duty Of q single article Of imports is
raised beyond 20 per cent.
The distribution will be suspended
we would ask if The first contingency is not
possible Peace between England and The U. S. rests
on no sure foundation The OF contention are
multiplying daily. The North East boundary is still
unsettled The Oregon question sexci,,ug The notice
it deserves The rapacity Of the Hudson Bay Com
pany is adding irritation to irritation. The "Creoe
question and the reputation and payment Of State
debts hang like dark cloud the peace of the
two countries.
The second contingency is only possible, but
probable, ere the lapse of three months.
The Secretary OF the Treasury informs Congress
there will be deficiency of 100000 for the
ing year, and this is to be supplied by duty on i'm
ports and nearly all OF these the duty already
30 per cent this must be raised by mpost
that limit.
This will suspend and ultimately repeal the law.
Hence there is the strongest probability, nay,
say certainty that tins State will receive even
the first instalment due IN July next.
The committee would therefore, press upon the
Legislature the utter folly, absurdtty and runous po
Icy of relying upon this law, furnishing single
dollar of means to enat New York progress in her
extended system of internal improvement.
The grant will probably be suspended this very
SION by the happening OF The last contingency Yet,
we are urged by the Governor of the State 10 reck
lessy incur debts, regarding the proceeds of this
distribution one Of the chef means OF payment.
As connected with this the amount TO be distributed
should be noted The Governor states that the share
of New York will be not less than S2000 for the
first year Ii very questionable whether it will
amount to even this irfng sum. The committee have
reliable data to authorize this conclusion The Com
missioner Of TIE Land Office, on January 10th, 1912,
informs the United States Senate that tho share Of New
York had the law been in operation III ISL, would
have been only Sl22, 963 "a We have 10 reason 10
suppose that II Will be larger for the year lol2 In
truth, likely to be less for the present year
bids fair be of deeper and serious depres.
sion than the year 1871.
Your committee wi! now consider this law in poll
teal and national point Of view, they would wish
to satisfy all, this examination has satisfied them
that it ought 10 be repealed.
They would first remark, that under circumstances
and even admitting lis cons!rtutionality dsrl.
button of the national funds be proper wise ust
unless there be surplus TO divide This, in any case
must be the only ground upon which questionable
law can stand. This is clear that your committee
hazard nothing in calling it an axiom.
1t is conceded by ALL that, at this time, the revenue
from mposts insufficient dctray the ordinary
penses of the General Government and more, this
fact well known at the time of the passage of this
very law for at the session, loan Of Sl2 000
coo was authorized, and the tariff raised 20 per
centum many articles, before duty free; which in
crease will produce least 100000 Of additional
revenue.
law has also passed at the present session author
zing another loan, in the form OF Treasury notes
for So 100000 morc and even now, the Secretary OF
the Treasury informs Congress that the Government
cannot move on without farther resources.