The Democratic pioneer. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1845-1853, 1845-12-19

CoHntneuu 10 CoDBress, mat provisions D
made by law for such separation, and tha
a constitutional treasury be created fo
the safe keeping of the public money
The constitutional treasury recommends
is designed as a secure depository for the
public money, without any ypower to make
loans or discounts, or to issue any paper
whatever as a currency or circulation
! cannot doubt that such treasury as W wa
contemplated by the constitution, sboulC
be independent Of all banking corpa' a
tons. The money of the people shoult
be kept 10 the treasury OF the people ere
ated by law, and be in the custody Of a
gents Of the people chosen by themselves
according to the forms Of the constitution
agents who are directly respons BILE TO The
government who are under adequate
bonds aud oaths, and who are subject t.
severe punishment, for any embezzlement
private use, or misapplication Of the pub
lie funds, and for any failure in other re-
specls to perform their duties. To say
that the people or their government are
incompetent, or not TO be trusted with the
custody of their own money, in their own
treasury, provided by themselves, but
must rely on the presidents, cashiers, and
stockholders Of bank corporations, not ap.
pointed by them, not responsible TO them,
would be TO concede that they are incom-
petent for self-government.
In recommending the establishment, OF
constitutional treasury, in which the
public money shall be kept, desire that
adequate provisions be made by law for
its safety; and that all executive discre-
tion or control over il shall be removed, +,
except such as may be necessary in di-
rectiDg its disbursement in pursuance Of
appropriations made by law.
Under our present land system, limit
ing the minimum price at which the pub
lie lands can be entered to one dollar
lar and twenty five cents per acre, large
quantities of lands Of inferior quality re-
main unsold, because they will not com,
mand that price. From the records OF the
General Land Office il appears, that, OF
the public lands remaining unsold in the
several States and Territories In which
they are situated, thirty,nine millions one
hundred and five thousand FIVE hundred
and sevnty seven acres have been 10 the
market. subject to entry more than twen-
ty years; forty nine millions six hundred
and thirty eight thouaa-A a.. Hundred and
forty-four acres for more than fifteen
years; seventy-three millions seventy four
thousand an six hundred acres for more
than ten years; an one hundred and six
millions one hundred and seventy-six thou
sand nine hundred and sixty one acres for
more than five years. Much the largest
portion Of these lands will continue to be
unsaleable at the minimum price at which
they are permitted to be sold, so long as
large territories of land from which the
more valuable portions have not been Sc,
lected are annually brought into market
by tho government. With the view to
the sale and settlement of these inferior
lands, recommend that the price be grad.
uated aud reduced below the present,
minimum rate, confning the sales at the
reduced prices Of settlers and cultivators,
in limited quantities of graduated and re-
duced in prices for limited term 10 one
dollar per acre, and after the expiration |
IF that period for second and third
Ierm to lower rates, large portion ofI
hese lands would be purchased, and many
worthy citizens WHO are unable TO paw
higher rates could purchase homes for
themselves and families. BY adopting
The policy of graduation and reduction of |
prices, there inferior lands will be sold
or their real value, while the State ia
which they lie will be freed from the in
if not injus tice, to which
hey are subjected, in CO onsequence of the
United States continuing TO own large
Quantities of public lands within their
'orders, not liable to taxation for the sup.
lori of their local governments.
recommed the continuance of the poll
y of granting prescriptions, in its most
iberal extent, TO all those who have set
led, or may hereafter settle, on the pub.
ic lands, whether surveyed or unsurveyed,
o which the Indian title may have been
xtingnished at the time of settlement
has been found by experience, that in
onsequence Of combinations of purcha,
ers and other causes, very small quanti-
! of public lands, when sold at public I
uction, commands higher price than
be minimum rate established bt law
he settlers on the public lands, are, how
yer, hut rarely able to secure their homes /
nd Improvements at the public sales at
hat rate; because these combinations by ;
leans of the capital they command, and !
he eunarior ahilifr IN nurcLo.x .acJ.. 6