The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1852-11-22
The Public Domain.

once more directed attention to abuses growing
out Of the present land system, and the neces-
sl'y of an early and sweeping change in its
management He returns to Congress an ar
dent advocate of every measure upon this sub.
jec' for which the West has agitared; and
his known energy and influences lend new
importance to the claims. He is in favnr of
homestead bill similar to that agreed to by the
House last session, and proposes. further. the
adoption "f graduated prices Of The public lands.
according u The length If time they have been
In the market--lberal grants to States for rail
r"ads and other pruvements-an immediate
cessi"n 10 the States of all the lands within
the Influence Of malaria from swamps-and an
absolute cesslun of all the lands remain ing I'M
sold In each State on the first Of January, 1860.
Commenting upon these propositions. the
New York Commercial advertiser makes the
following remarks, which merit attention as
evidence of the extent to which Western "a
dIcalism sometimes obtains an echo from the
most cautious Of Eastern conservatism:
Congress will coon rsassemble, and in view
OF he fact hat there can be no temptation to
make Presidential speeches and eiectioueerirg ha-
rangues. We may hope that it will meet for the
Transaction Of business II is tolerably certain
that the dieposal regulation Of the public ands
will be prominent subject for discussion, and
hope moot sincerely that the matter will receive
wise and final settlement. This 10 greatly to be
desired for many reasons, but especially as remov-
ing from the lobties Of the halls Of Legislation
crowd Of spec ulators and applica uts for grants,
wbose presence may he dispensed with to the GER
tain improvement OF legislation, and very probably
to the advantage Of the morale of some of the egs-
la,ors 1t is notorious that at every sesaon OF Con-
Rress, and more than at the last session, in
husnces have been brought to bear, discreditablc
to the parties employing them, for the purpose Of
getting through Congress bills making grants OF
these lands TO individ' ale and to companies; and
il is equally true that the repetition of such propo
sals and negotiations tends demoraze all parties
Concerned in them.
"Yet until some plan for the final Disposal of
iese lands Is adopted, speculators and applicants
will continue to employ such means, and to hrong
around the Capitol TO the great injury and detr-
ment OF legislation. We are therefore in favor Of
early disposal and final regulation in come
way OF thes' public lands. Their pecuniary be n. Fl,
to the Government docs not in any degree com
p.nsate 70, the evils whiCh result from the posses
sion. II will be good day for the country when
that possession is renounced. The only question il
as to the Of their oispoeal. Two principal
plans before the last session of Congress
Benefits land BILL and the Homestead bill
The former would better effect the desired distrt-
bullion 10 any practical utility Of the latter, be.
yond the partial breaking up Of the influences to
which we have REFERRED we have no confidence.
Bur great have been the abuses and corruption
which have sprung from this source, that would
deem even the passage Of the Homestead bill a de.
sirable measure. We would take it as the lesser o
two evils. But as to any great benefit directly &C.
cruing TO the people from that measure, our opiu.
ion remains unchanged In this respect we con
slider ii absurdity.
There is, we know, very high authority on the
other side-an authority that we have always held
in venerstion But in looking at the operation OF
that bill, or endeavoring TO trace out the mode by
witch It ia to be carried into effect, reach
n other conclusion than that, though ben. voen,
10 theory, it will be practically absurdity and
failure. However. if its passage ia necessary for
the settlement OF the Question Of public ands-iI il
will materially promote that object, or If It will
d,sperse the eager crowd Of SPECTATORS Who hover
around the Houses of the National Legislature,
then By all means let it pass, the more raciical
lDinds IN the L. gisIature adding where they can
t. i's fecivrness and guarding II from ilabiiIt y
to abus".
IN. 1i to hat relating to hoincsteads the propo
srtuu reepecung grants for railroads amt Internal
impro, en,en,s is thr most important Of MIR. Ben.
ton's suggestiuns. OF the thing itself-the grant
ing OF public lands to promote such purposes
there hos been diveTsi'y Of opinion among states
men and Legislators of both political parties, the
majority, however, seeming to concede thai, al
though savoring somewhat Of prodigaity aud OK
travasance, the policy 10 upon the whole q wise
one II has been adopted by majorities OF the Ma.
tonai LIE gislaturc. on somewhat liberal scale. But
hence has arisen much Of that evil which we have
,opdemnsd. Applications for grants have on this
plea multiplied beyond all fair and legitimate &C
casions, end applicants have been 60 eager for the
boon, and DO much speculation and corruption have
follow ed, that the wisdom Of further extending
such policy may well be questioned. The other
propositions seem to US fair and judcious, although
il would perhaps be better that cession to the sepa-
rate States should be immediate. But little public
land will be soId in the intervening seven years.
when il ia decided that cessiou shall then place.
"It may be considered as beyond controversy
that some change Of policy IL demanded with re-
spect 10 the public lands. They are comparatively
unproductise Of revenue, and they are becoming
source Of kind Of spec ulation which approaches
very near to robbery of the public. Moreover, it
seems a natural adjunct of State sovereignty that
the lands lying within the State limits should be-
long to the State. We believe that the 70 .cession
to ,he separate States OF such territory would in
fuse new lie into the body polite. stimulate enter
prise and promote progress; and II the question OF
economy or revenue 10 to be taken INFO the ac-
count. we are much inclined - think tbat in q
short time the Federal Government would derive
srenter annual income from the increased cultiva
ton Of the surrendered snds than II sacriflced by
the surrender ITSELF while EVIL, that every mem.
Der Of Congress will admit 10 becoming OF really
fearful magnitude, would be efectuaily crpshed' -
The lobbying, msnGuvring, aud mayhap the
corruptioa to which our contemporary aiiuoes,
are not necessary consequences Of the applicai
ton. for grants. but rather Of the position OF
parties in Congress, whose majority is divided
in opinion in reference to the principle on