Lewisburg chronicle. [volume] (Lewisburg, Pa.) 1850-1859, 1852-04-21

II. page II. In referring TO the source
OF revenue, and particularly to that portion
heretofore deriyabIe from the sales oil III
public lands, the report sets forth, ,ha
"lhis source Of revenue" "should no
hereafter be relied upon with any certainty
or 10 any considerable amount IN estimain:
The receipts Of The Treasury"
1t further appears by The same repor
that "Ry the various acts of Congress
approprIaiing the public lands to obIeci'
which Withdraw them from ordinary
revenue purposes,i, is quite certain that 'oi
several years 10 come the Treasury mus
be mainly if not entirely dependen. for IL
receipts upon duties levied upon foreign
merchandlze:" and that "fhe law recent,
enacted. giving lands 10 those who served
in the war with Mexico, and at The las
session, 10 such as had served IN former
wars, in addition to grants to States Tor
internal improvements. will undoubtedly
supply the marke, with the greater portion
Of the lands that will be required iol
occupation for many years 10 COME"
The quantity OF lands sold and taken
from market by virtue of these warrants
for the years lS47. .ls4S and lSs9, is a.
T27 ,142 40 acres the warrants yet 10 bt
presented under these acts viii require
g 922, 5l3 acres--in all 93,G5O,245 ~
acres and at the most liberal average
over sixteen Years will be required "a
absorb and satisfy The warrants Yet 10 be
issued as estimated. under the several
bounty land acis now IN force" lhIs
exhibit presents state Of things requiring
the fullest consideration OF Congress, and
a speedy and radical change IN the policy
and mansgcmen, Of our land system
" hat better plan, then, can be suggested
than thai proposed by the bill nov under
consideration What more just IN Is
cOnceptlon-more benevolent 10 lis objects
more conducive 10 a rigid political
economy. or more certain IN lis practical
results. TO swell The aggregate ol The
national wealth, and advance the grea,
commercial interests OF the country!
The power of Congress over the public
domain can not lie questioned, for II Is
contained in the Constitution, and is OF the
broades, kind. The third section OF the
fourth article is in these words:
The Congress shall have power to dispose OF
AMI make all ncedtul rules aud regulations re
<pcrtiHg the territory other property belonging
10 the United States, and nothing IN this Constr
tuition shall be 20 t,ued as 10 pfejndlce any
claims OF the United States, OF Of any particular
State"
Tie power OF Congress over the public
domain 10 make donations and grants, Is
not only given by the Constitution, but Il
has Leen freely and Literally exercised
from the foundation OF the Government up
To the present lime at all events, from
81 March, 1903, to the 2Glh September,
1850. Inc date Of tho act granting about
3OL5.g2O acres 10 the State of Alabama.
Mississippi and Illinois. 10 aid IN the con-
>iruciion Of the Chicago and Mobile iali
road
For the purpose Of showing that he
power has been exercised, and the extent
10 which it has been exercised, | refer 10
he eNiibli of donations" and graGts TO
he ditInren, States Tor lhe various purposes
mentioned
Statement IF Donations and Grants Of Pu5Hc
Lnnds f1 States da9 Territories 10 the 3tfh