The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-07-09

one dollar and quarter, he contended, was am
pie price Tor the best unmproved land in the remote
sections ofthe country He spoke from knowledge
OF the facts. lie estimated even at this price TO
Drought INTO proper cultivation, they will have cost
Their full Wholesome SO or sl2. But as all lands
were not OF equal value, a graduation Of the price
would be just and equitable.
The question then was, what system shall
ba adopted Mr. p. was not particularly welded to
lhis system He Was willing to go for any reason
able one which might be proposed. Attic same
time he would remark, that he was satisfied with
the oT2 proposed by this bill, with very slight
amendment
Gentlemen seemed to oppose this bill on the
ground that the price ofal lands was TO be reduced
under it. This was not the case The present
minimum OF VI rs would be continued for good lands
These would not go below that, but the gradua
lions were applicable to inferior lands. Mr.. p.
reeounted and defended the graduation provisions OF
lh's bill II was founded on principles Of common
sense, and of that stern justice which should regu-
late the action of this II II does not Of other govern
ments.
Ia reference to the srguNent of MIR. GoRsoS, that
this bal would rebound TO the benefit Of spectators
Mr. z. had no sympathy for them and he differed
with him as TO the effects ofthis bill upon them. He
considered the present system better calculated TO
favor them. The swollen purse Of the land jobber,
aided too frequently by the moneyed institutions OF
the country, was to likely monopolize the public
domain and then TO deal in parcels, extorting
from the poor settler the prices which he fit 10
demand.
With reference TO the provision for the cesson Of
lands not sold after exposure sale for thirty years
The presumption, If they were refused for that
time (he said) was, that they were worth moth.
Irg-not worth giving away But he was opposed
to Ito giving, or TO pretence Of giving, TO the
speetiVe States Of this Union. He hoped the day
would soon come when the respective sovereignties
OF TITS Union would sPurn all gifts or sembiances
OF gifts, from the general government He was OPP
posed to this section Of the BILL and he would sug-
gest to the chairman Of the Committee on Public
Lands Mr. McCLERsARp1 If If would not be better
more IN accordance with his wishes and the
wishes of the country-to amend il as after thir
~ years TO give Il 10 any citizen who would settle
on and cultivate IL.
Mr.. McCLERNAND said, with the permission
Of bis friend from Alabama, he would make brief
explanation. Mr., Nee. had reported the bill from
the Committee on Public Lands with full knowl.
edge of all its provisions. The clause Of cession as
he conceived, involved no constitutional difficulty
The constitution evidently contemplates that the
several States shall occupy the same footing of
equality and sovereignty, under It's provisions, in
all respects whatsoever. The old States claimed
and exercised jurisdlctona and proprietary right
over the lands within their limits. To deny the new
States the same right is to strike at their sove-
reignty in vital point The power of taxation is
vital attribute OF sovereignty. The old States en-
Joy this power as well in regard to lands as in re.
gard TO personal property. The new States are
denied this power in regard to the public lands be-
fore sale, and IN several after SALE for FIVE
years. The federal government cannot take power
beyond the pale of the constitution, nor can a State
give IT, except in the manner prescribed by the con-
stItuuonj yet by virtue of compacts otherwise than
IN such prescribed mode, the new states are prohb-
tied his vital power The true and strict consruc.
ton of the constitution would seem TO be that the
ret OF admission, admits each State TO the propre
tory right of the soil within its limits and excludes
from their limits the jurisdiction of the general
government TO prevent the public lands from being |
entered upon by the citizen, by civil or criminal
proceedings, or by military force.
Mr.. Nee. said that he was willing, however, for |
the sake Of the success of the measure and to bring
TO speedy termination this invasion of State sove-
regnty, TO vote for the amendment of his friend |
from Virginia, Mr. DRoMGooLE,l which fixed |
minimum Of cents per acre upon the lands remain
ing nnsod at the end of thirty years, upon the
OF the bill, 10 the States in which such lands may
he situated.
MIR. G. s HOUSTON called the attention of his
colleague tc the a.nendment he had offered which
proposed precisely the provision which his colleague
nov suggested-viz: after the land had passed
through the various grada,ions, it should be given
10 those who chose TO settle upon it, by paying the
fees Of the officer.
Mr. PAYNE (resuming) disclaimed all idea of
any imputatlon on the political orthodoxy of the
gentleman from Illinois, and recapitulated the posi-
ton just laid down.
He expressed his satisfaction at the amendment
OF his colleagues and his hope that it would receive
The sanction of the House.
He proceeded TO refer to some of the ADVANTAGES
Of graduation:
First, instead of diminishing revenue, the very
object of this bill wss to increase it, First, directly
from the sales Of the lands; and second indirectly
by the increase of wealth and prosperity of the :
western country, and the consequent demand for i'm
ports, and bringing with them proportionate in !
crease of revenue, receivable through the custom
house. |,
Another advantage to which the statesman, NH
antropst and patriot cannot fail 10 look with feel
ngs of pride and exultaton-vz: that it would !
end to increase the number of the agricultursts Of
he country. He dsparaged no class or profession | :
yet this was the noblest Of all occupations--the J.
oundation of all society and of all empoyments. {
The cuuvators of the soil were the main reliance :
# the country in the hour of peril; and if the lib :,
rites of the country were ever to be trodden down
" some ambitious usurper, the very last resistance .
would be offered by hands which had been Injured 4
. labor at the plow. He would then encourage 9
hem by all proper and constitutional means. e
Again, 1t was important to the States as a matter
f revenue, by enabling them to tax the lands within q
heir respective limits; and also, inasmuch as it :
you'd tend to complete and perfect their SOW r. !,
reignty. 'a aa...7. s.. ...
Mr.. PAYNE having concluded &C
Mr.. SCH obtained the floor " "
Mr.. McCLERNAND asked him to yield for the y
urpose of taking up and referring the graduation ~
i'll (Which had been received from the Senate) Z
Mr.. SCllENCK declined to yield. He then pro- 7
,eded to address the committee in opposition to the
Il-dweing on the advantages and benefits which -
ad resulted from the present land SYSTEM and ar 10
ing the expediency Of letting well enough alone.
Mr. DaRRAGH obtained the foor--but yielded
the request OF Mr.. McCLERHAND, on whose mo-
IN the committee rose and took up the bill from
e Senate to reduce and graduate the price of the
lblic lands which bill, having been read twice by
'itIe was referred to the Committee of the Whole s
the state of the Union. %
The House then again resolved itself into Com
lt,ee of the Whole en- the state of the Union, Mr..
IcELN, of Illinois, in the chair.)
On motion Of Mr. McCLERNAND, the gradua. d
IN bill of the House was laid aside, and the bill :
ON the Senate was taken up and read. n
MIR. DARRAGH addressed the committee in ia y
" Of the amendment submitted by him land which sc
Q published Yesterday of
Mr. DRoMGooLE gave notice of the following W
Institute: pr
Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert