The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1845-01-09

Patriot under date of the 9th ult., upon the
same subject, will, we think, be interesting
at this time to our readers. He says-"We
had to-day, in the Hovse, a very dry debate
on the bill TO graduate and reduce the price
of public lands, in cases in which they have
been a certain number of years in the mar
ket. This subject has already occupied a
good deal of the time of the House, and al
great many speeches have been made upon
it. The Western members, for the most
part, are very DESTROYS of putting down the
price very low, S o as to encourage emigration
and settlement in those States. On the 9th
er hand, most of the members from the old
States, and others who believe that the sys-
tenn proposed in the bill, will benefit specu-
lators much more than it will any other class,
prefer holding these lands at their present
price. Among those who have exerted
themselves to prevent the fund derived from
the sale Of the public lands from being cut
off, and the lands themselves virtually given
away, is Mr.. CAUsIN, of Maryland. He made
a strong speech on the subject, a few days
ago. and as the representative of a State
whose interest would be greatly advanced
by her receiving and having at her own dis
posal, the portion of the proceeds of these
sales which she is entitled to, he did his du-
ty faithfully and creditably. There was no
definite action on the bill TO day, and the
committee of the whole, in which the de-
bate was conducted, rose, before many men,
bers, who evinced a disposition TO speak, had
an opportunity to obtain the floor. A sub.
%stitute, however, to the whole bill was intro.
! duced to-day by Mr.. THOMSON, of Kentuc-
b, ky which would seem TO contain a good prin
ciple, and in it shall be found to be suscep
+ tible of being reduced 10 practice, perhap:
will meet with little opposition from those
who are aVerse to the bill in IFS present shape
. Having heard the substitute very indistinct
y ly read, | am not sure that | comprehend it
provisions clearly. Though in re gard TO it
d main feature | do not think | am mistaken
1t provides for allowing every poor man, VIII
has family, to take possession of a certain
quantity of land that has been ten years I'm
sold, who shall receive a patentlor the same
N after he has occupied it certain length c
time-say some three or four years. Tn
original bill has been supported mainly upoI
the ground that it would benefit poor, indus
trious men with families; but at the sam
time that this effect would be produced, it
clear that it would open the door for grea
abuses and speculations by men ofcapital an
others, and who have no need Of this aid frol
the Government, whilst it also would fritte
away the public domain, which should be
managed and disposed Of as to enable til
old States TO reap some benefit from it. NJ
THoMAsoN's substitute obviates these obie
lions, and confers the benefits which | ha'
just stated the advocates of the original b
" profess to be DESTROYS should be extended
deserving men, with families and scant mean
The proposition was introduced just befo
the Committee rose, so that there was no 0
portunity TO discover what favor it is likely
nj. meet with. If members, however, are no
YER est in the views they have expressed | ca
he not see how they can refuse to sanction
provided there shall be found no %serious Q
nal ections in the detail or the form of carryi
it out.