The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1845-12-13

citizens who are unable TO p1y higher rates, coulu
purchase homos for themselves and their families.
ily adopting the policy of graduation, and reduction
of prices these inferior lands will be- sold for their 70
nj value while the States in which they lie VIII De
freed from the Inconvenience if not Injustice, 10
which they are subjected, in consequence tine unt
ed States continuing 10 own large quantities oil public
lands within their borders, not liable to taxation Tor
The support of their local governments.
recommend the continuance OF the policy oI grant
ing prescriptions, in its most liberal extent to all
those who have settled, or may hereafter settle on
the public lands, whether surveyed or unsutVeyed,
to which the Indian tllc mny have been eXunguSnen
ut the time of settlement II has been found ny eH'
pcrience, that in consequence OF combinations o. Pu'
chnsers, and other ciuses very smut qu"n"S "
public landI when sold al public auction cnmnanuS
Il higher price than the minimum rate estaOllsheh ny
Inv The settlers on the public lands are however,
but rarely able 10 secure their homes and improve
nents the public sales at that rate because these
combinations by of the capital they comInhnd'
and their superior ability to purchase, render l'nPos-
sbe for The settler to compete w them IN the max
ct.
BY putting down all competition, these combna-
lions of capitalists and spectators are usually enno-
ed purchase lands, including the improvements oil
tho settlers, at the minimum price OF the government
and either torn them out Of thin homes exort from
them according TO their ability to pay double'or quad
ruple tho amour. paid for them to the government
1t is the enterprise and perseverance, OF the hlrdy
pioneers Of the west who will penetrate the wilder
NESS WI" ,,e' ,"'t'"'''' 80 - r .
vations and hardships attending tho settlement OF
new country, and prepare the way for the bndy OF
emlSrants' VINO III the cou'SH OF " Jew yo"''
follow them, that we are III Hre"' uGS'ee' uc',uu
for the rapid exten sion and aggrandzement oil our
country
Experience has proved that portion Of our popu
iatlon are more patr'ollc tlnn the Marcy anu oiNS
men oil the frontier, or more READY 10 ouey ''o ~ v"
Their counry,nnd to deenn her rights ana "s' "1"o'
whenever and by whatever enemy assniled. They
should he ed the Spectator md
secured the minimum price oil tho puhUc 'Ahus !" 'e
humble homes which tfey nave improved oy tue"
labor. Win TINS end IN view ~ 'eSa"ons o' un-
necessary restrictions imposed uP"" 'he'" ~ no
lsunS Preehpt'oh Jaws s'on'u =" ''P ~ "a ~ r.
fed. II Is the irne policy oil government 10 aiIou ~
cies TO its citizens to become the owners o. S'na'
portions oil our vast pno'lc CONAN AZ low anu "ou''-
ate rates
The present system Of manngns me u.'hera' anus
OF the United States Il believed Ia ne raa'chy ue'eG
tive. More than miion oi acres OF 'he Punic hhu7
supposed to contain lead and other hhne'"'s' nave
been reserved from sa'e,and numerous leases upon
Them have been granted 10 'h"N!aun's upo" s.,P"
lated rent Ihc sy<tem OF granting lenses nus p"Neu
TO be no. only unpottnbe to the government onI uh
satisfactory 10 the citizens who nave gone upon inc
lands, and must Il continued lay me 'opnuauon 10
much future duhcully between Inc soNefhne". o"h
the cssGcs According TO thy olncIal records he a
mount Of rents received by the government Tor the
years ISL hlSl3, 1918, tSIl, was Sooo+ a. "'',e
the expenses OF Inc system during the same Pe'ou'
including salaries OF supern'endeniS agents, Clerks
and Incidental expenses, were twenty-sx thousand
hundred and eleven dollars and eleven cen's' The
income being less than one fourth OF the expenses
To this pecunilry loss may be added injury Sustained
10y the public in consequence OF the destruction OF INN
Der and the clre'ess and wasein' manner OF working
the mines. The system has given rise TO much uono
le between the United States and Individual cii'zehs'
producing irritation and excitement IN The mineral re-
gion, and involving the government IN heavy expendi
,ures II is believed that similar losses ana emoar-
easements WIN continue 10 occur W"'o "e Fe's"'
system oil leasing these lnnd4 romans uh1"h"seu
These lands are now unier the sopern'enuehcS ana
care of the War Department. WIN Inc o'"'nhFy uu'
ties of which they have M proper or natural conhee
ton.
recommend the repeal OF the present system anu
that these lands he placed under the snporhHnnence
and management of the General Land once rs other
public lands and be brought into market and sold up
such tetm' as Congress IN their wisdom may pre-
SCRIBE reservins to the government an equitable per
centage Of the gross amount OF mineral product ana
shat the presumption principle be extended to resident
miners and settlers among them, at the minimum
price which may be established by Congress
To be in strength to protect and defend inc peoP,n
and territory of Texas, IN the event Mexico should
commence hosities, or invade her terr,tnnes
with large army, which she threatened, auihorz'
ed the General assigned TO the command OF inc army