Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-03-31

Mr. Speakcr-l snatl MAKE no apology
for addressing the House. lfh is impor
tant, at this late period Of the session, /,
economic time, it is no less so to consi
der well the proposition before US. Th,
subject has already, it is true, been ably
discussed on both si6es; but il cannot hay,
escaped observation, that whilst the argu
ment on the one side has been confined
strictly 10 considerations which belong tc
the question of distribution, on the Other
side it has taken much wider scope, aud
topics of general politics, better calcu'
lated, if not intended, to have influence
elsewhere, have been deliberately treated
Of. To these topics | shall address my
self; and before res1me my seat do
not despair Of exposing the errors and in
consstencies into which the hot zeal oil
gentlemen have betrayed them, and oil
vndicaiing not only the policy of dls,r-
button ITSELF but the party with which |
act, from the rude attacks which they
have been assaied. To make my ohser-
vations Ineligible, ! will make brief
statement Of the question which is present
ed for consideration. The resolution
first offered, proposed 10 instruct the Com
mittee on Finance, 10 bring IN bll 10
provide for the appointment Of an Agent,
on the part OF this Commonwealth, 10 re-
ceive from the proper authorities Of The
United States, that portion OF the soceeds
of the sales of the Public Lands to which
she will be entitled under the act Of Con
gress, passed a, its late extra session,
commonly known as the Distribution
Law. To this resolution, the gentleman
from Louisa, (Mr. Ilo!laday,) moved a
substitute, containing series of resolu
tons condemning the Distribution Law,
and the whole policy Of distribution, and
instructing our Senator'S to exert all their
energies to obtain its repeal.
Ii is manift st that the substitute very
much enlarges the range Of debate. The
first resolution was confined TO the pro-
pretty of the RECEPTION by Virginia of
the provision made foI her benefit in the
act of Congress. The substitute exit nds
10 the proprie,y of the legislation Of Con-
gress, and requires us To pass in Judg'
ment upon the distribution law, and super
wise and control the action OF our Sena-
tors. Interesting ond grave as are the
general considerations which pertain to
the propositions, there are others of more
immediate State concern, which cannot
be overlooked. The substitute demands
the repeal Of the distribution law, and
aims its blow AT the policy OF distribution.
1t demands of us to declare on behalf OF
the people this Commonwealth, not only
that we will not accept al tbs time the
provision made for them by the law Of
Congress, bu, that hereafter all the rich
proceeds Of the sales Of the vast domain
of the public lands, the common proper
~ Of all the States" shall be expended in
delraying the current expenses OF the
Federal Government. II demands Of us
to reject Virginia's rights and close her
iron vaults against The rich stream about
to pour into them-and this, too, at time
when those vaults are empty when the
revenue is deficient AMI heavy taxes are
to be imposed when universal embar-
easements Cypress the people when the
Banks, struggling amid difficulties, are
about to be required to resume specie pay
mrnts, and curtuil their already contract.
ed issues, thus enforcing collections in the
very act Of diminishing the means Of max
ing payments; when the loud voice Of
distress is heard from every point, and,
growing out Of the general distress, n
STAY LAW lies upon our table reported for
adoption. AT time like this, under cir
cumstances, such as have described, ur-
gent and controlling must the reasons be
that will justify concurrence in the sub
s,itute.
The amount of money receivable by
Virginia under the law Of Congress, il
variously estimated from one to fire hun.
dred thousand dollars yearly. But what
ever may be her immediate receipts, it
cannot be doubted that in times of ordn.
airy prosperity, consistently with just re.
gard for the common interests, the sales
of the public lands may be so stimulated
as to increase her proportion TO yearly
sum not short of the largest estimate
Had the distribution pulley obtained at
first that is, had Mr.. Clay's first Land
Bill been adopted, according to actual re-
ceipts, our share would have exceeded
the sum Oh @D,UuU,uuU. ne puDllc ueUt
Of Virginia is Sc, 1894, 307 81, upon which
she pays an interest Of S409, 06S 95, and
her current expenses are S70S,000. To
meet these expenses we have the dividends
upon the public stocks, &C., 1925 ,s44
90, leaving the large balance 1891 PA
to be supplied by yearly taxation.
This statement may serve to give some
idea of what the measure may yet pro-
duce, and enable us to some extent TO cs-
innate its benefits. But notwithstanding
the resources with which it will sup.
ply US Notwithstanding the relief i WIN
afford against oppressive taxation; uo'
outstanding the difficulties and emoar-
easements Of the times, we are called upon
10 reject it: LIST. Because Congress mas
no authority 10 make the distribution !;
Cd. Because the revenue OF the Federal
Government is deficient ; and Ord. Be-
cause the reception of the money by the
States will lead TO extravaganza and cor.
runtion. Ii will be observed that each
one Of these objections is separate and in.
dependent OF the others each rests upon
its own peculiar foundation, and if true,
each in itself opposes against the law,
and the policy which it pursues an un,
surmountable impeachment. Separate anG
apart, therefore, from each other. weigh