The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-01-24

ing, they will have law registered on the statut,
book. Since it was first agitated, not much dis
cussion has taken place, until the last eighteen
months.
Although its progress has been silent, this pro-
position has been steadily making its way into the
public mind; and, from the vast amount of letters
which he had received, he was satisfied that the
people are laying hold of il. We find at the other
end Of the Capitol and in all parts OF the country,
men of commanding ability who are coming to
the rescue of this great measure he would con-
clude by calling those who are friends OF the
people, who wish to protect and promote the IN
terests of the working men, who are willin : to
stand by the laboring, industrial, and agricultural
interests to support the measure as the suDstratum
on which all others rest.
Mr. CASEY said that he was not present in the
Committee Agriculture when the bill was
framed; and he would inquire whether it was pass
ed upon by that committee, or was merely assented
10 by individual members Oft
Mr.. JOHNSON replied that the committee in
session, had authorized him to report the bill pre-
cisely it was; and they had authorized him to do
80 over and over again.
Mr.. HlLLIARD inquired whether the bill was
on its passage.
The SPEAKER said that the question pending
was the motion to commit and to print II the
House should refuse to commit the question would
be on its engrossment
MIR. billiard intended to address the House
on this subject, but he not prepared to do at
this moment He would, however, now state that
he regarded this as great measure, not intended
for popular rewards merely TO those who advocate
it, bat really and sincerely the true system OF
disposing of the public domain. The Government
ought never to be landholder. 1t enjoys wealth
by making its citizens rich, and spreading an in
dustrioss, active, hardy population over land not
now populated, Ii would do more to make the
Government prosperous than any other means.
The source of wealth to the Government ia not
land, while hundreds Of thousands would be
glad to cultivate it. Give every man home,
make it his interest to cultivate the soil
that he may support his family In comfort,
,tI ohm, lI,n. "A
school-houses and, when we do this, do
more to lay the foundation of national prosperity
than by any pecuniary system. He was therefore
prepared to vote large body of public lands to &C
tual settlers, independent OF every other consider
alton, source of revenue alone. In reply to a
question by Mr.. AvERETT, he said that he wished
10 give lands to the people in the largest He
wished to have the lands settled and occupied. His
object was not so much to benefit the people by
supporting the bill as to make the Government it
self prosperous, and to give brighter and nobler
future than can have while we hold the lands.
Wherever there is a wealthy population you find a
prosperous government. We can have no perma-
nent land system without this measure; and he
preferred to look to the customs alone for revenue,
and giving such protection as the duties would a-
ford.
Mr.. CASEY, as member of the Committee on
Agriculture, knew nothing about its proceedings
in relation to this bill. t was subject to which
he had not turned his attention; and, after consul
tation with several members, he discovered that
they in the same condition. He had not as
sented to the bill that it should be reported He
had never seen 1t.
Mr.. JOHNSON. Do understand the gentleman
to cay that the majority of the committee have not
assented to il?
MIR. CASEY replied. He intended to say that he
was not present at any meeting of the committee,
and knew nothing Of their action. He believed that
the House in about the same condition that he
found himself. Before he took his seat, he intended
to move either that it be recommtted, or referred
to the Committee of the Whole on the State of the
Union. II was question OF immense magnitude,
and would open up the entire subject of the Gov
eminent land titles, and the disposition of the public
domain.
He concurred in the remarks made the other day
by the distinguished gentleman from Virginia,
Mr.. MEADE,) the subject Of the public lande
and every member from the old States occupying
this floor must have felt the force and weight
of the remarks made by the gentleman.
MIR. MEADE said that he had not finished the
speech to which the gentleman referred. He
wished TO enforce the policy of non distribution.
He found that those who were originally in favor
of this policy were now making exerons to benefit
localities. He was for pursuing it, or chalking out
a policy which would secure equality to all the
States He would bring back the West to the prin-
ciple of distribution, to avoid partial legisa
ton. He wanted his section of the country to re-
ccive its share Of the lands If distribution
to be departed from.
MIR. DISNEY did not desire to open up the sub
iect now, kut he would take opportunity to de-
liver his why's on the subject and should endeavor
to settle the account betweefthe West and the
East.
Mr.. MEADE.N>I would ask whether the gentle
men intends to charge with any public lands
whatever and should like him to state where we
have been benefited by appropriations Of public
lands.
Mr.. CASEY resumed. The gentleman and him.
self belonged to different schools of policy, but
this did not prevent him from approaching, as a
representative Of old State, the force and value
OF his remarks. Their policy different to
the disposition Of the public land He believed that
the policy marked out by the great American sys-
tenn was the true one, namely: the graduation of
the price OF the lands, according to their location
and quality, and other circumstances; and the dis
trbution of the proceeds of the sales among all the
States for the great, high, and noble purposes Of
education and internal improvements AS the
Wings had not been able to carry out this policy
he was willing to go for the best he could get under
the circumstances
Mr.. GREEN asked when the Wings ever sup
ported the principle of graduation. He under
stood the gentleman to say that it Wing
principle.
Mr.. CASEY. 1t is one of my own
Mr.. GREEN. Did the Wing party ever advo
cate it,
Mr.. CASEY said that he had always advocated
it, and did not care who was for against it. He
hoped that the gentleman satisfied. Next to
the policy OF distributing the proceeds of the sales
OF the public lands, for education and internal inn
provemens, he believed that the best to sell the
lands and put the money into the treasury, to pay
the national debt. He was in favor of appropriations
Oh ahos 10 great aiopJeCtS-sucna az highways,
not only across this continent, but to extend to
other nations. Not for roads from St. Louis to the
Pacific but for purposes of great national concern
Ii was but right and justice the part Of the western
States that they should concede TO other sections
appropriations for their improvements. Pennsyl.
vana had purchased her lands out of her own trea-
sury. He was not prepared to express his opposi-
ton to the present BILL he had only glanced at its
details. He would not say that he would vote
against it., if, after being properly discussed it
should be modified to meet the object which he had
in view. He was the last on this floor to deny
the bounties and benefits Of the Government to the
homeless and houseless but he would say, in the
hrst place, devote proper portion of the lands
internal improvement purposes, for endowipg col
leges and academies, and for the support of the
common school system, that education may be diff
fused among the people, to enlighten and teach
them their duty, that they may be the better pre-
pared to enjoy their liberty. In conclusion, he
moved to recommit the bill, but
The SPEAKER informed him that the motion
was not in order, there being pending to refer
the bill TO the Committee of the Whole on the state
of the Union
Mr. BROWN, Of Mississippi, after saying that
there seemed to be prevalent opinion that the
older States have greater claim than the new
ones proceeded TO speak Of the hardy pioneers who