Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1845-05-10
ANTI-R EMIT

Numerous petitions have been presented to the
Legislature Of the State of New York on the part
of the anti-renters, asking for a law to prohibit
any person or persons from holding, occupying,
or possessing more than thousand acres of land
Mr.. CONSTANT, from the select committee 10 whom
these petitions were referred, made, in the name Of
majority of the committee, report against them:
ssYour committee, says the report, do not believe that
the Legislature have any power pass law that who
has good title thousand any other number Of
shall the 4h day Of July 1885, to have title to
more than thousand The man who ten
thousand Of land entitled 10 the protection in the
enjoyment Of his estate owning but The
petitioners ask for the passage Of law which shall pro-
h each and every person from acquiring by purchase de-
vise otherwise the right to possess at any time
than one thousand of land Your believe
that the effect Of such law would be otherwise than
furious the rights ofinvduals and the interests Of the
State Every man. having the pay for, and wish
ing possess than that quantity of land would if such
law were enacted, into other State Terrific
ry where he would be at liberty purchase and hold much
land he pleased could pay for The folly and nexpe
dcncy Of such an Of legislation would be OF the
character law forbddng any TO acquire personal
property exceeding thousand dollars in value and would
be the OF driving all enterprise from State There
this time undoubtedly large debts secured by mortgages
or Judgments, which liens than thousand
the right purchase under such judgments mortgages
would seriously impair the rights OF creditors Your
ac therefore, persuaded that promote the prosperity
and wealth of the State every ought to be at liberty
the fruits Of his industry and enterprise in such proper
ty as he pleases.
Some Of the petitioners alteration Of the law
ave English grants others object the payment of
in wheat many pray that the landlord shall be compelled 10
sell oen The Tenant feels inclined III purchase and the Pc
iioners from Albany, Rensselaer, Schohac, and Columbia
pray that the right dsan for rent shall be abolished On
ing tenants under lease when prosecuted for ren TO
up a defence against such prosecution the Of good
and sufficient title in The landlord.
The committee, in brief but distinct manner, object
each and all Of these prayers 1he concede that
will relief them he permitted dispove the title
Of their landlord and prove title in the State themselves
third person; but insist that they should be per-
med remain in possession Free unless the lessor
shall PROVE by kgai eudce, his title, leaving them take
advantage af apparent defect the title whether grow
ing Of the loss Of documentary evidence any other
cdent 1t seems TO the committee that bare state
men Of the proposition would be sufficient TO show such
entire Of justice would render il the imperative duty
Of the Legislature to reject it. il there other
The report closes with these are other con-
seraiions connected with this important subject which your
committee feel bound to notice IL cannot be denied that
many of the covenants reservations and restrictions contain
ed in these leases unusual and in respects repug
nan to the spirit Of the age and Of institutions although
your committee cannot go the length Of Of the petition
saving that their effect is the
se slaves, make them the appendage the
SOIL to keep them forever in state Of vassaage hut on
the contrary, tenants easehod estates quite free in
the enjoyment of the blessings of institutions the
citizens in other parts OF the State.
Your committee have endeavored TO show that con-
stutional power in the Legislature alter modify, or
in any way interfere with existing covenants in leases The
only mode therefore, which remains those petitioners who
feel aggeved in the conditions under which they hold their
lands, seek relief by negotiation and compromise with
their landlords; and by reference TO the annexed communic
from the propreos Of the Of Rensselaer,
wyck will be that FAR the county Of Albany is
concerned the tenants be released Of all the
and complained of most easy and
commojating and If the proprieors in other counties
disposed forward inhc liberal spirit Of compro
mise and concession your committee believe that tenants
could not fail perceive that more certain and far
satisfactory remedy for their alleged grievances would he found
in negotiation than appeals to the Legislature for the pas
sage Of laws OF doubtful expedency, if in direct violation
of the Constitution.
" In conclusion, your committee ask to be discharged from