The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1846-07-24


any residue remaining unsold is TO
vest in the State in which it may be
situated. 1t is also a part of this
scheme to limit the purchase of lands
at the reduced prices to actual set
tiers and cultivators, though any
person is left at liberty to buy at the
present minimum price OF 81 ,25 per
acre. We approve of the general
policy of the measure, and think the
overture of compromise should be
met in corresponding spirit. Now
is propitious time to settle this
long agitatcd question. Considera-
tons Of public policy demand it, and
if less Legitimate argument may be
urged, we might say the more i'm
mediate interests of the older States
demand it. Now, public opinion in
the new States is ripe for its adjust
mcnt upon equitable terms. Now,
the relative power of the older States
in Congress, enables them to cxer-
else an efficient part in the adjust
mcnt, but in the course Of a few
years, the transfer of political power
to the new States will deprive them
of that power.
Such an adjustment, besides al
laying fevcrish excitement in the
new States, would rid Congress of
an expensive subject of Legislation,
and contribute TO restrict the action
and patronage of the government.
How stands the case in this respect?
Authentic documents prove that
The average expenses of Congress
for the last ten years preceding 1914,
amounted to the sum of $9l2,779 80
annually, and for the whole period,
to $9,l27,793 27. Intelligent com
mittces of Congress have estimated
the proportion Of these sums proper
ly chargcable to the account of leg
islation upon the public lands, at
$l30,397 OF, or 1-7th of the total
expense of legislation. This very
large item of expenditure might b,
materially diminished by the adjust
ment of the land question upon some
equitable and satisfactory basis. In
deed, until this shall be done, We
may not expect that it will be redu
ced, or that the States will cease tc
apply for, and Congress add to Thu
heavy item, by making special grant
Of land.-What is wanted is gene
raj permanent policy, not a piece
meal one. Upon the head of pat
ronagc, an argument equally strony
may be urged. 1t is fact, that bu
very few governments have mad
such rapid strides in the acquisitio,
Of patronage as ours.-Upon thi
point serious apprehensions have al
ready possessed the minds of man
wise and patriotic citizens. Sine
the formation of the government,
has grown from a simple machine
cheaply administered, and of Unite
patronage, to one of vast power am
multiplied expenditure.
The present land system, as alrca
dy shown, is one and an clIicien
cause of this portentous transforms
ton. 1t has now generated &C lam
Offices, 1872 registers and receiver:
s surveyors general, with a host c
deputies, clerks, craftsmen, chain
! carriers, and axe-men, supported a
an annual expense of about $500,
600, and must continue, in virtue {
i, the principles of its construction, t
extend its patronage coeXtensiv
with the almost illimitable area {
the public domain. The system ha
the effect of bringing large commu
! mites of the new States more or les
under the influence of federal pat
ronagc and powcr-and thus exert
: most pcrnicious influence upon tn
. independence of the States, and tn
constitutional action of the feder;
government. No branch Of fcder;
patronage invites a more thoroug
and cifc reformation.