New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1850-06-24
FREE LAND-MR. MOORES SPEECH
HOMES FOR ALL rs. BoUNTIEs FOR SOME.

Il.
Reported for The Gobe.]
HOUSE OF REPREsEsrsrIvEs, June 49, 1850
The bill proposing to grant Bounty Lands
to all who served the country as Soldiers or
Militia in the Indian Wars or in the last
War with Great Britain, being under con-
sideration, and having been discussed at
length
Mr.. MOORE of Pa. said that he was much graf
flied to see the interest manifested in this matter
and now that he bad obtained the floor he desired
to say that he was opposed TO the bill which was
claiming the attention Of the Committee, for thu
reasons which had been stated by the honorable
gentsman from Maryland, Mr. Evsns,) and also
bis honorable friend from Ohio (Mr. Vintonl which
were-that if this bill was passed, and this i'm.
mense number Of bounty land warrants created. IL
would operate almost exclusively for the benefit of
specnlstOrs, agents and monopoists; while tha
soldiers themselves, or their heirs, for whose bene
fit the bill was intended, would be bat little if at
oil, benefited by it. 1t is well known TO this House
that / have had bill on the subject of the pub
lie lands before the Committee since the com.
mencement Of the session and now give notice.
that shall offer, at the proper time, this bill as
an amendment to- or substitute for the bill
which is now claiming the attention Of the Commit.
tee. Believing that il will accomplish all that is
proposed TO be attained by the bill now before as,
which is TO provide or give b the soldiers a por-
tion OF these lands and, at the same time prevent
them from falling into the hands OF agents. specula
tors and monOpolsts, as would be the case il the
bill now before US should become q law az think
has been clearly demonstrated by the gentlemen
who have preceded me in this debate.
| propose by this bill or proposition Of mine, Mr.
Chairmsn 10 prevent speculation In these iazds
and 10 secure homes thereon 10 actual settlers and
cultiyators; and if the Committee will give me
their attention for few moments, ! desire 10 offer
some thoughts and suggestions on the subject
which consider 10 one Of great importnce 10 our
country, and should demand our earnest and seri-
Gus attention; in fact consider this 10 eventually
to prove Of the greatest reforms OF the age and
while 1 acknowledge this TO be q subject Of reform.
wish t 10 be understood, that do not set myself
up here a Retormer, who first originates u,eas
ure OF reform, and do not claim the paternity of
this measure; nor indeed do claim 20 be thu ori0
nstor OF the bul which have offered upon the .u5.
ject, for it is substantially the bill that was Offered
IN this House during the last Congress BY a mem.
Der lat that timel from the city of New YORK. The
bill, however, has some amendm eBts Of nv O 1n an
pended thereto; one OF these amendments-it be.
ing 10 my opinion an important one-i will briefly
sllode 70; and | would call the attention of "a,
Committee to it, as il removes an objection which
has been urged against this measure by some of
the gentlemen who have addressed the COmrnitts.
this morning. The bill, as originally drawn. gave
al its benefits and privileges 70 any aliens or for
elenefs VINO might hereafter efoigrate 70 our shores
Immediately upon declaration Of their intention
TO become citizens. This feature Of the bill have
altered, for the reason that consider such an in
ducement bed oot To emigration here, would 10 A
short tne completely oyerrun "a with the popula
ton OF Europe; and feel that the inducsment,
which we already have for emigration here are
quite sufficient lot only for our own good, bur aso
TOR the good Of those tho are now hockine 70 our
shores by thousands and hundreds Of Thousands ey.
cry year have, therefore, confined the operation
OF this bill to our own citizens, and such aeps or
foreigners as may now be among US, and shsllhsve
1ecsied their intentions to become citizens. And
here let me say, that have noticed a ,roposi,ion
which has been offered on the other side of the
Capitol, BY one Of the Honorable Senators from
New'YOrk, BY which he would give these lands %