The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1852-03-19
THE PUBLIC LANDS.

THE PUBLlC LANDS.
Among the various propositions in relation
to the public lands now before Congress are
two Legislative measures which, from the
magnitude aud Importance of the principles
involved in them, we'll deserve the prompt
and careful consideration of that body and Of
the country.
The one of these is the homestead bill
introduced, we believe, in the last Congress
and renewed il the present session, by Mr.
Andrew Johnson, of Tennessee. Upon this
highly important measure, and the considera-
tons which commend it to the public favor
we sln,! probably have something to say
hereafter.
The other of these measures is The follow.
ing bill making grants Of the public lands for
the purposes of common-sehool education,
which has recently been introduced by the
Hon. Mr. 'Churchwell, of Tennessee. It can
scarcely be doubted that suitable appropria.
tons of the public lands to such purpose
are we'll fitted to accomplish the great objects
for which the lands are held by the general
government namely, the common use and
benefit of the people of the United States.-
Wash. Union.
Mr. Churchwell's bill is as follows:
A bill granting public lands to the several
States Of the Union for III establishment
of permanent and efficient system OF
common schools.
BE IL enacted BY The Senate and House o.
Representatives of the United States, in Con-
gresS assembled, That, for thepurpose of pro-
noting an efficient system of comnfon school
education, there be granted to the several
States one hundred millions of acres of the
public lands to which the Indian title has been
extinguished, and which are subject to private
entry, to be apportioned, Under the direction
of the President of the United States, to the
several States according to the relative num-
Der of children therein, male and female, un-
der the age of fifteen, as shown by the census
returns of eighteen hundred and fifty and, in
apportioning the same, the lands sha be di-
vided and subdivided into sections and frac-
tons of sections; and the lands appCr ioned to
the several States shall be by them he as a
fund for purposes of common-school educa-
ton, on the terms and conditions herein sta
ted: Provided, That whenever there are pub
lie lands of suitable quality in State, the
quantity to which such State is entitled shall
be selected from such lands; and the quanti-
ty apportioned to any State In which there
are no public lands shall be located in the
Territories as aforesaid,
Sec. 2. And be II further enacted, That, as
soofis az the apportionments aforesaid are
made, grants shall issue to the States respec-
lively, for their portion and it shall be the
duty of The States to provide as soon as
practicable for their sale; but the said lands
are not to be sold at less price than the
minimum per acre of the public lands, and to
be subject 10 the right Of pre-emption until
sold by the States; Prouided, That the States
shall have the entire control and management
of said lands as soon as the grants are issu-
ed and all the expenses attending the same
shall be paid by the States out of their res
pective treasures.
Sec. 3. And be 1t further enacted, That all
the moneys derived from the sales of the lands
by the States shall constitute commonschool-
funds for the States respectively, which shall
never be diminished, and the interest of
which shall be invariably applied to common
school purposes, in pursuance of the laws of
the several States, respectively, for the effec-
tive promotion of common schools.