The spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1840-1844, 1842-07-15

THE DISTRIBUTION ACT.

This cherished measure Of Federal Whiggery
has now arrived at point To display part of its
FRUIT; and it is right for the people to pause and
contemplate it, and see what manner of fruit it
beals. The LIST of July is just passed and, by
the terms of the act, half years income of the
land revenue is payable TO the States; that is to
say, to the few of them who have not declined the
miserable gift First, what is the amount to be
distributed? This we learn fom the land debates
in the Senac-whcre the gross amount of the land
sales for the half year elapsed, was asceraned to
be about $500, 600. From this, all the expenses
OF the land system, and the per ccnums to the
new States, are TO be deducted before the grand
distribution of the golden prize can commence a.
mong the States. These are ascertained in Sen
ate document No. 80, TO be as follows.
l. Amount Of expenses of surveying the public
lars, and OF saleres and expenses of the offices
OF Inc surveyors general as ascertaned and eS
ilmalcd for the year 1871, &a02, 7l2, of which
take onc-hnlr for the half year $l0l, 37l
2, Amount ofsueries and expenses oflhG
General Land Office for the year 1871,
the sum of 1921 ,5GS ;ofwhich take half 1874
3, Amount of incidental expenses paid at
the land Offices, including salaries, com
missions. and allowances for the trans
porlaiion Of the public money for Mrcc
quarters of the year ISL, the sum of
TS3,306; of which take two thirds for
the half year $3.50
4, Amount of . per centum for roads and
canals, by the cOmpacts to the new
States, on the gross amount Of the
sales 90, 900
$2S7, 755
This makes the sum of $237, 155 to be deduc-
ted from the $500, ZOO, before any distribution
under the act commences; consequently, the gross
sum (Sl00 ,00O) is reduced to $lG2,2 before
the division of The spells commences. This seems
small enough in all conscience ;but ii is 10 be made
stu, smaller before the beautiful reputation begins,
The new States are entitled to preliminary di-
vision among all the family takes place; and this
ten per cent. s.'ccs of Sl6,224 from the aforesaid
Sl62,2ij; leaving the univ ersal grand aggregate
of $50, coo 10 he then divided equally among
twenty-siv States, three Territories, and one Dis.
trict of Co,umba containing population Of eigh-
teen millions Of souls! This would give to each
soul, if fairly divided, the sum of l5-IShs ola
cent that Is to shy, divide cent ia;o eighteen
parts. and the happy recipient of the national
bounty will receive fifteen of those pats. This
will be the dividend by the head and as the d.
VISION ought to be fairly made, and as there are no
fractional parts for silver small enough 10 make it,
we would suggest new and proiusc issue of small
copper for the occasion ;and-to avoid delny--tmt
the branch mir,s be allowed to assist IN coming
the copper before the bill for their abolition is gag
gcd through Congress.
This j. the amount for distribution: Sl50, 900,
Surely this mountain has been delivered of
mousse Bn; small as it is-miserable, contempt
bc ridiculous, and laughahlc as it is--it is still
more than Federal Whiggery is able to pay; and
the doctrine o(rcpudiai0n has been applied 10 it,
The States which have made provision for re-
ceiying the money, mus, feel themselves hum
Rugged; those which have refused to receive it,
may feel proud that they have had the wisdom and
the patriotism to keep out of the ridiculous scrapc.