Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1845-12-17

lerior quality remain unsold, because they
will not command that price. From The re-
cords of the General Land Office i, appears
that, OF the pubI,c lands rema ming unS Did IN
the several states and territories IN which the Y
are situated tlirtv-nine millions one hun atcd
and i've thousand five hundred and seventy
seven acres have been in tie market: suAi.c:
10 entry more than twenty Years; forty nine
nil!ions SIX hundred and thirty ei ght thousand
SIX hundred and forty four acres for more
Than fifteen yea.s; seventy three millions
seventN-tour Thousand aud hundred acres
TER more than ten years; and one hundred
and SIX millions one hundred and seyeuty-six
thousand nine hundred and sixlv one acres
Tor more Than five years. Much the largest
potion Of these lands sill continue to be uU-
sa!cabe at Tie nlin .nIuin price at which they
are pnrernit,ed TO be sold, so long as large,
territories of lard from which the more
valuable portions have not been selected, are
annually brought INTO market by the govern
ment. With the view 10 the sale and settle
ment OF these inferior lands, | reconn1end
that the price be graduated and reduced be
low The present minimum rate. combining the
sales at the reduced prices for IA limited terra.
to one dollar per acre, and litter the expiration
of that period for a second and third term TO
lower rates, large portion oil these .ands
would be purchased. and many worthy ell
zens, who are unable to pay higher rates.
could purchase homes for themselves and
their families. By adopting the policy of
graduation AMI reduction of price. these in
lerior lands viii be so'd for their real value.
while the States 10 which they lie will be
freed from the Inconvenience. if not injustice
10 which they are subj ected. in consequence
OF the United States continuing to own large
quantities O. public lands within their Dor
derS, not liable to taxation for the support Of
their ioca! government.
recommend The continuance of the policy
Of granuar pre- emption, In It's most liberal
extent, TO all those .lo have settled or nav
hereafter settle, on the pubic lands. whether
surveyed or unsurveyed, to which Tie Indian
tile may have been oxiingui>led Z, lie time O!
tiemeaf. II has been f)und by experiences
that IN consequence Of cOmb:naIions of pur-
chasers and other causes. very small quaint
II of pubic lands. uhen sold at puhlIc auc-
ton, commands higher PRICE than the min
mum rate established by law. The settlers
on the public lands, are however, but rarely
able to secure their homes and improvements
at tie public sales, at that rate; because
these combinations. by means Of the capital
they command, and their superior ability u
purchase render II lmp ossibie for the settler
to compete with them in the market. By
putting down all competition. these comb
nations ot capitalists and spectators are usu-
ally enabled TO purchase the lands, including
Il a.
imum price Of the government and either
turn them on: Of their homes. or extori from
them, according 70 their ability TO pas. double
or qnadfopie the amont paid for them 10 tue
government. II is to tie enterprise and per-
severance of the hard pioneers of tie West.
who penetrate the wilderness with their fam
lilies, suffer the dangers, the pgiyatiaas. and
ha5dShlps attending the settlement Ct a new
country. and prepare the way for the body
years. usually follow them, that we are in a
great degree. ndeblcd for the rapid extension
and a5-randizement Of our country.
Experience has proved that no portion Of
orr population more patriotic than the
harry aud brave men OF the ftontier. or more
ready to obey the call Of their country. and
to defend her rights and her honor, whenever
ara by whatever enemy assa:,ed. They
should be protected from the gsasping spec
uator. ana secured, at the niai uaa price Of
the public lands. IN the humble homes which
they have improved by their labor With
this end IN view, all vexatious or unnecessary
restrictions imposed upon them by the exist
lng pre- emption laws should be repealed or
modified. 1t IS the true policy Of the gov
eminent TO afford facilities TO It's citizens 10
become the owners of small portions OF our
vast domain at low and moderate rates.
Tho present system Of managing the min
cral la de Of tho United States 10 believed to
be radically detective. More than a million |
of acres OF the public lands, supposed TO con I
tain lead and other minerals. have been re- T
served from sale. and numerous leases upon
them have been granted to individuals UPON
stipulated rent. The system of granting
leases has proved to be not only Improbable {
to the government. but unsatisfactory TO the +
citizens who have gone upon the lands. and
must, If con,lnued lay the foundation OF much
future difficulty between the government and
the leases. According to the official re
cords, the amount of rents received bv the
government for The years l84l. 1912, l843.
and 1914. was S6.354.74. bile the expenses