Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-11-17
For the Portage Sentinel.
The Land RefOrIi-PrOgreSS.


am glad to be able to inform the reod-
ers of the Sentinel, many Of whom ! know
feel an interest in the proposed land re-
forms, that we are making good progress.
The reform appears to be congenial stothe
views Of well informed Democrats in our
county, and indeed, tonearly nine-tenths Of
oil the people Of the county TO whom the
subject has been explained. The late DEM
ocratic conventions in the counties of Nor
gan and w Washington, in this State, passed
resolutions in favor Of the free use of the
public U. S. lands to actual settlers-of
the exemption Of the homestead of each
family from forced sale, and of land limi-
tation. The district convention of the
democratic party, convened for the nomina-
ton of a representative for some or 5
counties of Northwestern Ohio, including
Wood, Lucas, Ottawa, &C., resolved in fa-
vor of exempting the Homestead; and their
nominee, Judge Potter, was triumphantly
elected. In our own county, our repre-
sentative elect agrees to use his influence
in favor Of the exemption Of the Home
stead. We have information that almost
the whole democracy of Wisconsin, [now
about to form Constitution and State gov
ernment.) and considerable number of
wings, (Ihe Greely whigs} also, fayorsehe
measures Of the reformers Two States,
Texas and Connecticut, have adopted the
Homestead exemption certain; and it is un.
derstood that Georgia has also. And there
are indications that other States are about
to fall into line on that benifcent and
Democratic measure. We trust Ohio will
not fall far behind in we'll doing. Those
in favor Of Reform, should forward peti-
tons early in the ensuing session. l have
been requested to forward the following
form Of petition for publication in the SEN
tinel. | find it in the 'HoME,' neat little
Reform sheet, lately commenced in Cleve.
land:
TO THE STATE LEGISLATURE.
The undersigned, citizens of the State of Ohio,
respectfully represent-That under the existing
laws, the land is passing out of the hands of the
cultvators into those of capitalists as in Europe
and that increasing dependence, degradation and
misery must be the lot the cultivators until the
system is changed. We believe, with Jefferson,
that the earth belongs in usufruct to the livingn
and that the practical establishment of this right
is the only security for 'slife, liberty and the
pursuit Of happiness" To effect this purpose
with the leastossible interference with the vest
ed interest created by the present system of Land
Monopoly, we propose that a law may be enacted
embracing the following measures, until they can
be made a part of the Constitution:
1. A limitation Of the quantity of land that
any individual may HEREAFTER acquire in this
State.
2. The exemption of the homestead of each
family, not to exceed 16o acres, from alienation
for any future debt or liability, or in any man
ner except by the joint consent of husband and
wife where, such relation may exist.
And we respectfully request that by every
constitutional means you will endeavor to pre-
vent all further traffic in the Public Lands of
this State, and of the United States, and cause
them to be laid out in Farms and Lots for the free
and exclusive of actual settlers; and that you
instruct the Senators of this State in Congress
to advocate these measures with respect to the
lands now under control of the General Govern
ment. ~. ~ -.
Some have objected to the land limita.
ton, and such can omit that clause of the
petition if they choose. M.