The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-06


umns, to postpone the publication the House pro-
ceedings until tomorrow.
THE PUBLIC LANDS-THE NEXT MEA-
SURE.
The following excellent article from the New
York Morning. News" comes to our hand in due
season. TO express those views Of the subject which
very happy at the present moment to transfer
| to our columns. The tariff being disposed Of
in the House of Representatives, the next important
suit that comes up from the docket is the which
heads this article. This at least appears to be the
popular and received arrangement of the measures
before Congress.
We trust that this important point IN the policy
of the democratic party the graduation Of the price
of the public lands will fail at the present ses-
sion Of Congress, to receive the attention and the
decisive action due no less to own intrinsic mer-
it's than to the just claims and expectations of the
great on of the Union peculiarly interested in it,
We glad to see, by the appearance Of such lii
eral and enlightened article this, in one of the
leading journals of the democracy Of the North that
is not the West and Southwest alone who arprec;-
ate and feel the importance Of this measure, we'll
| as its general harmony with the principles Of that
democratic system Of IDEAS which knows no sec.
tlonal divisions Of doctrine-no geographical demar-
| cations of political creed. The reduction Of the
price of the public lands, after suitable length Of
time in the market has proved their comparative
inferiority in quality and value, is good democracy
East, North, and South, as well as West; and we
rejoice to such evidence as this, that it is SO
understood among our democratic brethren of New
York.
| From the New York Morning New,
| THE PUBLIC LANDS
Among the many important measures pressing
upon the attention of Congress, is that of 'he re-
d,.etion Ond graduation Of he price Of The public lands"
| The time has now arrived when public opinion in
almost every quarter is prepared for the eosumma-
ton Of this In the anxiety felt in relation
to others, we hope that this will not be longer
looked. The appropriation of the soil in all
| tries is most important question, and in none
than in this, where fair allotment and the interest of
freehold is essential to the independence and dig
| nifty of the masses And such disposition of UNI
occupied lands as will make them cheap, we might
almost say Free actual settlers is the true policy
ola republic. The government, as great political
agent is invested with civil powers, to be exercised
for the good of the people. .--..
As such, it holds vast domain, not for the pur-
pose of speculation and profit but az a heritage to
be administered for the good of its citizens to pro-
mote agricultural industry, increase the number of
| homesteads, and prevent accumulations. Enter
tanning these opinions, we would be willing to see
the public lands transferred to individuals who
would occupy and cultivate them upon the most
favorable terms-reserving to the government
mere indemnity for expenses. The government
has already received $3.50 $780, l56 for lands Soda
sum more than sufficient to remunerate the whole
cost of acquiring and administering the public
lands; and still holds more than thousand millions
of acres yet to be disposed Of which, at the present
minimum price of 81 25 per acre. will realize to the
treasury more than thousand millions of dollars Of
clear gain. Certainly, under these circumstances,
the government ought and can we'll afford at least to
reduce the price.
Besides if we were to consider the subject in
mercenary point OF view, there is believe
that graduated reduction of price according to the
salea6le value OF the lands, would not only accee
rate their sale, but also augment the amount of rev.
enue to be derived from them This would result
from extending the circle of competition 80 as 10
embrace the poor as well the rich, and by saving
to the government the interest upon large sums,
which must continue for many years dead invest
ment, as the consequence of holding inferior lands
at the price Of good lands This position NAV he
verified by facts and figures.
The bill now pending before Congress, reported
oy Mr. McCieInand OF Illinois, chairman OF ''tbe
Committee on Public Lands !" designed to rive effect
to the graduation policy" seems 10 have been
drafted in spirit of compromise. Il does not 20 I,
quite SO far as the recommendations of the Pres
ldent, the Secretary of the Treasury and the Com
missioner of the General Land Office The object ap-
pears to have been to harmonize as far as possble
nierences OF opinion growing out OF different ,
geographical influences The executive project
contemplates reduction of price the end Of five
yoeIs a.ter any quantity OF land may have been q
ohered Tor sale. The land committees bill proposes Z
to extend this term to ten years, and then to en-
force scale of graduation upon the principle of
reduction of twenty-five cents for each ensuing q
Perlou OF hve years, until at the end of thirty years
any reslduery remaining unsold il to vest in the a
state In which 1t may be situated. II /, also mart
OF this scheme to limit the purchase of lands At the
reduced prices to actual settlers and cultiyators
though any person Is leA at liberty to buy at the q
present minimum of 81 25 per acre, We ,nnroye
of the general policy Of the measure and NH The
overture OF compromise should be met in A cor
responding spirit Now is proptoua time TO set :,
tie this long agitated question. Considerations OF +,
pubic ponoy ue'nano H. and II less legitimate
gument may be urged, we might say the more inn
mediate interests of the older States demand il,
Now public opinion In the new States 10 10. CO.. ;ts :,
adjustment upon equitable terms Now. The rea. "
i've poweI oI me o'oer states in Congress- enables
them to exercise an efficient part in The sdins,ment
but IN the course of few years the ,r,nse If I, GO
power. P'' "'"' " '""' o.
ouoh an adjustment, besides alsying a feyerish
excitement IN the States would IA 1,oneress vi
of an expensive subject of leestot;on .na oaf,h !.
ute TO restrict the action and pat ronsee ~ h oov
eminent How stands the case in This rs.nescy O.
authentic documents prove that the average ex.
peas or congress tor the ten years preceding te
ally, and for the whole period to 49, 1o7 7a9 81 -
Intelligent committees Of Congress have estimated r.
The proportion of these properly cbareeabe 10 m
The account of legislation upon the public lands Al "
sl3O,5yI VA per annum, or for the before nnentiop
I'd period, at 81 303970 49, or one-seventh OF m. %
otal expense OF legislation. This very large item
ef expenditure might be materially diminished bv
he adjustment Of the land question upon some -,
equitable and satisfactory basis Indeed until this !,
shall be done, we may not expect that il will be re-
luced, or that the States will cease to applv for and
Congress to add to this heavy item, by making spe "a
,lal grants Of land What il wanted is a general !,
permanent policy, net a piecemesl one. Upon the "a
neao patronage an argument equally strong may VI
DC urged I" TACT, that but very few govern