The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-03-14


| And they ordered
Mr. DAVIS, OF Mi ssisspp have some objections 10
ths Dill, which Will stale very briefly Ii will be rec
so U'ss.ea una. IN .he beginning, The origin Of this
measure, ihe purpose was TO give to the old soldier
nome, and TO secure il TO him free from execution in
order mat IN the period OF poverty, in his old age he
basis met my most cordial support. The next steps
that Were taken additional to that and do not so
much meet my appreciation. IL for graluy
hal lls land was 10 be converted into SO much money
then this resolution was unnecessary think therefore
That every step that take OF departure IRON the
original purpose is without foundation OF principle
upon which 10 rest IL cannot be argued that il
70 soldiers 10 enter service for that is too
long past II is thus mere gratuy If, then, you wish
TO gvea mere graiuity Of much in value Why then
convert into money yourselves Do not, in other words
give warrant for 100 Of land that worth $500
IN such manner that the recipient must sell il in all
probability Tor 800 or 500 The land is worth $500 ol
10 give to the old soldier the value OF the land money
better guaranteed II is easier for the soldier, more
directly benefit o him. 70 give him the market price in
money and keep the laad, which is worth more to the
government for ourselves H the object OF the govern
nent was TO give gatuity of certain number Of dol
lars should have incorporated upon this resolution
and IN the law provision such contained in the
law Tor Mexican bounty land warrants-hat is. allow
the warrant TO be converted into money certain rate
below It's market value.
The senator from Wisconsin, IMr. WALaER j who has
struggled SO hard preserve the public lands at least
from this mode Of granting them, attempted some time
since to secare his object by an amendment; and lis
failure could be accounted for apon the supposon that
II was the intention OF Congress TO give the old soldier
permanent home and to secure i 10 him free Of expense
think, therefore, that that the ground, the principle
upon which this matter originally rested and therefore
am entirely opposed 10 making these warrants assigna
Mr.. ATcHlsON. think the senator from Missis.
sippi Mr. DAvsl in point OF fact is it
not the object OF the Senate and the House of Represent
aiives to give home and to have that homestead ex-
empt from execution. That is not in this law any
other law. This attempt to exempt real from
execution, whether to greater less extent is
doctrine, mere matter OF experiment The prime object
with me, and believe with the most of in sustain
ing this BILL was not for the purpose OF giving the soldier
home and 10 exempt that home from execution, but the
object was to convert the public domain into private
property. That was my object; and 10 do this con.
sIdered the old soldier worthy object at least
than any other, make this donation of the public
land This was the motive that governed me in my vote
upon the subject
Now, let US look at this matter Does the senator
from Mississippi suppose for moment that old
soldier out of thousand would 60 to State a
new Territory from the old thirteen States, where the
most OF these soldiers reside for the purpose Of establish
ng horne there in his old age' No. sir; that senator
soldier in thousand would leave the State OF Mary
land, Virginia, or Massachusetts, to go 10 Wisconsin,,
Iowa, or Missouri, for the purpose OF locating his land
tor from Arkansas [r BoRLASD] suggests is entirely
too small 500 would not pay his expenses or
the expenses OF his agent in locating his land war
rant OF 50 acres or 100 and he will not do it for
the purpose of making it his home, although you may
exempt that home from execution Now, sir TO state this
fact Is full answer 10 the honorable senator. ii may
have been an lnducement with him for his vote but it
was not with me, with any other senator; for
have always maintained The bold and broad ground that
to convert the public domain into private property is for
the benefit OF the naon OF the State in which the land
may lie, and for the benefit of the citizens OF that State
and is upon this principle that have always voted for
the proposition 10 convert the public domain into private
property. think have thus answered the points sug
gested by the honorable senator
Mr.. DAVIS, of Mississippi | will endeavor to an.
swer my friend from Missouri as briefly as he has
swered me. II my memory at all correct, the orig na
bill al the beginning contained the provision that have
stated think 1t was then our intention TO give the old
soldier home in his old age But the senator asked
If believed the old soldier would go out to these
States Tor his quarter section OF land Well. sr, be.
lieve many ol them wonld. know OF no class that
would be go apt 10 go the class We have selected 1t
is that very restless energy that made them soldiers that
would make them pioneers IN the wilderness and thus
would make them more apt to leave for the West than
any other class Of citizens. But il they did go
themselves II they held the warrant in their hands, II
would be apprecating in value, and they might and
would then give it 10 their sons some other person,
and it would be of greater value 10 him than il II was
thrown into market by this system OF assignment And,
moreover, would save TO the treasury OF the UDiled
States portion Of the annual sale of the public
lands whereas II these warrants are made assignabe,
it must stated by the Secretary of the Treasury In his
report tend TO diminish the revenue to the government
from this source II these held by indvid.
uas, and no, made assignabe. they will be located from
time lime long period OF years. and the balance
Of the land will be sold and the money to the BEN
eft OF the United States.
agree with my friend from Missouri Mr.. ATcHIsoN1
thai If the proposition is submitted what class ot the
community to have the advanage-lf IL is foegone
conclusion that the public land is 10 be distributed
among the people of the United Staies-ihen ! should
say that OF all classes, that first should receive the ad
vantage OF the distribution who had rendered personal
service their country, and that the sailor and soldier
would have claim much higher than any other classes
of our citizens must however, be satisfied that these
lands would first go TO the soldier and sailor then to the
native American citizen, and lastly TO those foreigners
who might be thus induced to here for the pu-
ln, r.tcht thoan IN
get into the hands OF companies who would make them
the OF taking up the lands in the United States,
by speculation founded upon the importation OF paupers
the United States for the purpose Of receiving through
them these warrants OF 100 acres. agree with my
friend therefore, 40 far he holds that position. do
hold however that it is the interest OF the old soldier to
secure his land it originally intended that it is
interest OF the government to make assgnabe and that
make it assgnable is TO make nufe 10 The benefit OF
the spec aor, and not to The interest OF the soldier
Mr. BUTLER ! hal no idea that this subject would
be debated al this hour.
Mr. HUNTER hope my friend from South Caroli-
ma [Mr BurLERl will give way for moment
Mr.. BUTLER Certainly.
Mr. HUNTER ask the unanimous consent OF the
Senate TO suspend the sixteenth and seventeenth
rules in relation 10 House bills Nos 46i, 462 and 47i,
being respectively the civil and diplomatic, the army and
the navy appropriation bills.
Mr. UNDERWOOD. Is that motion anendablei
The PRESIDENT, The Chair is under the impress
sion that IT will be amendable.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. Then move to include the
bill now under consideration.
| Several SENATORS. No, no.
| The PRESIDENT. That will be in order.
Mr.. UNDERWOOD. will then move 10 amend the
motion to suspend The sixteenth and seventeenth