Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1851-02-01
h)asbinafon Nous.
THIRTY-FIRsT eoNeREss-.second Session.
WAsHrNAToN, Jan. %.

WAsHrNAToN, Jan. %.
HoUsE.-Committee were called on Tor
reports, and the House passed bill to enable
an old Revolutionary soldier TO locate two
pieces of land script.
Mr.. johnson, of Tenn, from the Committee
on Agriculture, reported a bill TO encourage
agriculture commerce and manufactures by
giving TO every head Of a family one hundred
and sixty acres of land, provided they culti-
vate the same for certain period.
Mr. Johnson moved the bill be referred 10
the Committee of the Whole on the state OF
the Union, and said this bill ought 10 have
passed instead of the Bounty Land Bill OF last
session, which gave for,y-eieht millions to
soldiers not previously provided for His
scheme would have kept out of the hands OF
Shyocks a large number of warrants, and
been of more benefit 10 those who are bodily
able to cultivate the soil He would give TO
the old soldier who was not able 10 cultivate,
Treasury Script Sixty.fve bills have been
brought forward, asking lands for corporate
companies, lunatc asylums, and every other
purpose; and surely the poor landless man
should have one hundred and sixty acres, pro-
vded he cutivates it. The proposition is lay
ing hold Of the public mind. The Legislature
of Illinois is the first Legislature 10 pass resou-
lions in favor of it, and he was satisfied il was
not the last He called upon all true friends
of the workman 10 give 10 the measure their
support.
Mr.. billiard believed, truly and sincerely,
this to be the true system tor disposing OF
the public lands. Government onght not
to be land holder The source of its wealth
is not laud-give every man home, make 1t
his interest to cultivate the soil, 10 maintain
his family, and educate his children, and this
would do more 10 the foundation Of national
prosperity than any pecuuiary system. lie
believed we shall have no settled system OF
revenue until public lands shall cease 10 be
a source of revenue.
MIR. Casey said he was member OF the
Committee on Agriculture, but he was not
present when the bill was prepared. He
knew nothing about its obiectshe he had not
turned his attention to 1t, and thought the
House was in the same condition as himself
He spoke against the unequal portions OF lands
given to the new States, aud wanted the older
ones to have their share. He was not pre-
pared to express his opposition TO the BILL
He was the last man to deny the hounlies and
benefits of the Government 10 the houscicss
aud homeless; but he would devote proper
portion of the lands to National Internal I'm
provements and educational purposes.
MIR, Brown, of Miss, spoAe in favor Of pro-
viding lands, bat not in the manner proposed.
The titles should not pass from the Uuilcd
States He intended 10 offer 4 substitute -
He proceeded TO show that by encouraging
agriculture, the aggregate wealth Of the conn
Try is increased. commerce augmented, and
,he national prosperity promo:rd.
Mr.. Green replied 10 some remar rES of MIR.
Casey. and expressed his belief that Congress
has undoubted power not only to pass this bill,
but to make any similar other provisions hav-
ing in view the resources Of the Treasury and
the general interests Of the community at
large and it is on the same principle that large
grants of public lands have been given TO the
new States.