The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-07-24
From the New York Morning News.
The Fublic lands.

Among the many important mea-
sures pressing upon the attention of
Congress, is that of SHE redUctjon
and graiu0tion d the price # The
puJHc Mnds." The time has now
arrived when public opinion in al
most every quarter is prepared for
the consummation Of this measure.
In the anxiety felt in relation to 9TH
ers, we hope that this will not be
longer overlooked. The appropri-
alton of the soil in all countries is a
most important question, and in none
more than this, where fair allot-
ment and the interest of freehold
is essential to the independence and
dignity of the masses. And such a
disposition Of unoccupied lands as
will make them cheap, we might al
most say free, to actual settlers, is
the true policy of a republic. The
government, as q great political
agent, is invested with civil powers,
to be exercised for the good Of the
people.
AS such, it holds a vast domain,
not for the purpose Of speculation
and profit, but as heritage to be
administered for the good of its citi-
zcns, to promote agricultural indus
try, increase the number of home
steads, and prevent accumulations.
Entertaining these opinions, we
would be willing to see the public
lands transferred to individuals who
would occupy and cultivate them
upon the most favorable tcrms-re-
serving to the government a mere
indemnity Of expenses. The Gov
eminent has already received for
lands sold $3.50, $50, l56--a sum more
than sufficient to remunerate the
whole cost Of acquiring and admin
istcring the public lands; and still
hold more than thousand millions
Of acres yet to be disposed of, which,
at the present minimum price OF
1925 per acre, will realize to the
treasury more than a thousand mill
ion of dollars of clear gain. Ger
tainly, under these circumstances,
the Government ought, and can wei
afford to reduce the price.
Besides, if we were to consider
the subject IN mercenary point o
view, there is reason to believe thai
a graduated reduction of price ac.
cording TO the saleable value of til,
lands, would not only accelerate
their sale, but also augment the
amount of revenue to be derived
from them. This would result from
extending the circle of competition
so as to embrace the poor as well al
the rich, and by saving to the Gov.
ernment the interest upon larg,
sums, which must continue loi man,
years a dead investment, as the con
sequence Of holding inferior land,
at the price of good lands. Tn,
position may be verified by facts an,
figures.
The bill now pending before Con
gress, reported by Mr.. McClcrnard
, of Illinois, chairman of "thc Com
: mittcc on Public Lands" dcSigne,
f to give effect to the "graduation pol
: icy," seems to have been drafted il
1 spirit of compromise. 1t does no
60 quite so far as the recommends
tons of the President, the Sccretar
= of the Treasury, and the Commits
, sioner of the General Land Office
9 The object appears to have been I
S harmonic, as far as possible, differ
ence of opinion growing out of dill
fcrent geographical influences. Th
i executive project contcmplates
e reduction of price at the end of fv
years after any quantity of land ma
c have been offered for sale. TIL
: Land Committees bill proposed t
/, extend this term to ten years, an
C then to enforce a scale of graduatio
e upon the principle of reduction
IS 20 cents for each ensuing period
r. five years, until the end of SO year