The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1844-10-18
From the Nashville Union.
OF THE PRICE OF THE PUBLIC LANDS

From the Nashville Union
PREEMPTION RIGHTS AND REDUCTION
OF THE PRICE OF THE PUBLIC LANDS
JAMES K. POLK'S COURSE.
We have already shown that, from the moment
Gov. Polk entered public life, he has been the
constant and unwavering supporter of the policy
granting the rights Of preempton to the settlers on
the public lands, at low and moderate rates
When he was first elected to the legislature
of Tennessee in 1923; there was portion of the
country within the constitutional limits Of the
State, lying south and west of what was called
the congressional reservation line, which was
vacant and unappropriated. The title to these
lands was held by the United States. They con-
sisted Of inferior tracts which had not been appro
priated to the satisfaction Of the North Carolina
land warrants issued 10 the soldiers of the revolu-
ton, and portion of them was occupied by
settlers.
Gov. Polk brought forward the proposition in
the legislature to procure REIMBURSEMENT Of them
to the State, and to grant to the settlers upon
them the right to preemptions, as securing their
homes On a motion made by him, select
committee was appointed !or the purpose of
entertaining the subject, of which he was chair
man. On the 9th Of November, 1928, he made
report as chairman, accompanied by memorial
to Congress, prepared by himself, asking relin-
quishment of these lands to the State of Tennessee
and setting forth therein that the actual settlers
should be secured in the right to their respective
homes.-!Ste Journal 1923, up. 90, 800.
In the legislature of 1871, a committee Of the
Senate consisting of the members Of both political
parties, when referring to the reasonable claim of
Tennessee to these lands, UNANIMOUSLY AwAR-
DED to Gov. Polk the merit of having first brought
the subject to the attention of the legislature and
Congress. In their report they said
''In the year 1923, her (Tennessee's) claim was
asserted and explained in able report and resolu'
tions of instruction to the Tennessee delegation in
Congress, drafted and reported by the present
governor of this State. (James X. Polk,) then a
member of the Legislature, "-Senate Journal,
jan 20, page SOB.
In 1925 Governor Polk was elected to Congress-
AT the following session he brought this subject
forward; and, as chairman of committee of the
House, he reported bill embracing MePreemption
principle, and securing to the occupant his home
at u reduc, rate The bill did not pass at that
session. The proposition was repeatedly before
Congress afterwards.
In 1928 bill TO cede these lands to Tenne see,
and to grant preemptons to the settlers upon them,
was before Congress On the 2Sth Of April, 1928,
Governor Polk made a speech in support of the
bill, from which we quote the following passage ::
He said that "but an nconsderable portion of
these lands ever would be appropriated at the
most reduced prices. That portion of them which
would be appropriated at the low price of twelve
and half cents pei acre--the price proposed by
the bill-would be either by the poorest class Of
citizens, to secure for themselves and families
theiG'litte homes, or by the owners of adjoining
lands to keep off intrusion, for outlots, sc.
During his long and arduous career in Congress,
Gov. Polk voted for and advocated the humane
policy of granting preemptons to settlers, not
only on the public lands in Tennessee, but on all
the public lands held by the United States.
To prove this, it is only necessary to refer to
the journals Of Congress.
On the 29,h of May, 1880, preemption bill
was before the House. We quote from the jour
nal of Congress as follows:
"The bill from the Senate (No. l9,) entitled,
san act to grant preemption rights to settlers on
the public lands" was read the third time as
amended, and the question was stated, ''shall the
bill pass?"
"And after debate thereon,
"The previous question was moved by Mr.
Taylor, and being demanded by a majority of the
members present;
"The said previous question was put, viz: shall
the main question be now putt
"And passed in the affirmative.
"And said main question was then put, viz
shall the bill pass'
"And passed in the affirmative"
JAMES X. POLK VOTED FOR THIS BILL-his
name is recorded on the journal in the affirmative
-[Joulnal Of 1929, 80, pages S77-s-9l
Under this law hundreds of the pioneer settlers
on the public lands were enabled to secure titles
to their homes.
On the 18th of June 1884, another preemption
bill was before Congress, we quote from the jour-
nal of Congress as follows, viz:
'sThe House resumed the consideration Of the
bill from the Senate mo. 1877 entitled San act to
revive the act to grant preempon rights to settlers
on the public lands, approved May 20, $780,"
when motion was made by Mr.. Vinton that the
enacting words of said bill be stricken out