New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1848-03-28
The Public Lands.

Half the Session of Congress bss giided away
,ed ND 10 This moment we have noticed no decided
upoyeuen, therein for Reform in The mode OF dis
rc,os OF the Public Lands War Loans, DEN
cheney bills, Few Regiments M. Tnst ana DIS
powers our Generals and their qusrfe"-'ne'e
and other spch topics have mainly ensrossed 'ne
attention OF either House, while the great funoa'
mental question Of occurring homes to the homeless
90 long as our Public Lsnds shall suffice, by put
ting q persmptory and EOal stop to all speculative
parchases and slottinG the whole Id small uacts
70 actual settlers only-this which seems to "a ihe
great question Of the day, IS scarcely alluded To-
There have been propositions looking TO It submit
ted by Mr. Sling ersnd and others but nothing me
,y,,emstic, determined action. From perscoai IN
tercourse. we confidently assert that fully MY
Members of the House land there may be @ ma
io,y, are favorable 70 some decisive action on the
sabiect. and yet it is showed aside from DAY 10
day by measures Of narrower consequence and
feetins interest.
-Bu, thoush Congress wooid seem indifferent TO
Land Reform. the People are not. Daring the last
winter it has been Diseased in journals, IN lee
lures in debating crbs, and in the workshops and
chance gatherings OF lsbcripg men, generally re-
sul,ns 10 victory, always in progress 10 the cause
OF Reform. The Members Of Congress may not
hear TIE conversation OF the humble men WHO IN
ten,ly canvass thu subject but they will be felt at
the polls The men who agitate for Land L'm'ts
tom may be uuds;iDguished and apparently few
bat they will hold the tslsnce Of power N many
Districts At tie ensuing elections to Congress, sd
Ia their view L and Reform has Importance which
~. Of ba rov only
are great abstract truths commended to the regard
If the needless and unthinking.
And who that thinks q. all can fail 20 real
lie the vital and imminent Importance OF Land
Reform In this Free Republic there are millions
OF people landlsss and living anywhere only by
others' permission. while all around them land II
rising 10 value a. population increases Wages II
many sections are falling. while rents and foo'
grow deaer, and employment becomes more sa'
more scsn.y and precarious. 1t hard chance
today for any mere lsborer to bay and pay for
decent farm In any well.settled portion OF th'
country. To remove to new region Is costly an
generally involves more or less sickness during tn
6rst wears OF exposure and accmston; and tn
price charged for wild land too often sweeps ava.
the settlers little all when be bitterly needs stoch
furniture, implements sc. But the Government
charge might be paid if the spectators grasp go
his exactions could be avoided. To pay ton SIN
linss On acre for land though often difficult, ca
hardly be impossible; bu, TO pay the speculate
twenty.R to fifty per cent. year added 10 th
10 indeed q sore burden Many men have bee
trying 1t these twenty years, and are now isrthe
from success than ever
Congress should act. Even in mercy 10 to
speculators. generally oversoSged ana many
them ruined by their vsst investments, 1t shoal
prohibit all future sales except to actual settler
and should sell TO these only on conditions whic
viii prevent future aggregation. IL should sllo
every landless man TO take a few acres to live on
no matter il bat iorly-.thout any charge VIDA
ever. IL should allow no settler, even, 70 buy b
yond one hundred and sixty acres except at an e
HANGED price. In short, il should iesslase SO IN
the Pablo Lands shall become private only Ia a
hands Of those who really need them. Why shou
this be delayed
y We learn with deep regret, that 10
THOMAS CoRwis will not be able 20 iulhl al the a
pointments made f,r him to speak in CoDnseiics
because OF failure Of bis voice. Efforts will