The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1852-01-29

This is all. In the whole aggregate only little
than twenty millions of have been granted to these
States The value OF this total if deducted rom the
estimated value of the franchise enjoyed by the United
States will still leave very large balance TO the credit
OF the land States Estimating the land at VI 25 an acre,
all the reservations and grants will amosnt 10 TO more
than $25 ,257 DeductDg this from S72 ATS,
and have $40 to be entered TO the credit OF the
land States, if place The tax at two cents acre,
more than double this sum.
This result leaves the nation largely in debt the
land States that II becomes of small Importance TO scan
closely the character OF these grants and reservations IN
order determine whether in large part they have not
been already satisfied by specific considerations the
part OF the States Bull the stress that, in the OF
this debate has been laid upon this bounty leads TO 60
further 1t appears, from examination of the acts OF
Congress by which the land States admitted into
the Union that large portion OF these reservations and
grants was made on the express condition that the lands
sold by the United States under the jurisdiction oil the
States, should remain exempt from any State tar for
The space Of fire years after The sale This condition is
particularly applicable the appropriations for common
acres also particularly a
phcaoe TO another item, not mentioned before, which
known as the five per cent fund from the proceeds of the
public lands Tor the benefit of roads and canals amount
ing IN the whole TO 1920, 069 These appropriations
being made on specific considerations, faithfully per.
formed by the States down TO this day. may properly be
excluded from our calculations. And this is response
TO the senator from Kentucky, [Mr. UsDERwooD,l who
dwell so energenealy on these appropriations, without
seeming 10 be aware OF the conditions which they
were granted.
That may make this more Ineligible let me refer to
Tue act OF After SettlnE tOh
the five reservations and grants already mentioned, it
proceeds
"fnd propidsd Arrays, That the five foregoing provis
ions herein offered are on the condition that the conyen
ton OF the said State shall provide by ordinance ire
vocablc, without the consent Of the United States that
every and each tract Of land sold by the United States from
and after the lst day OF December next shall be- and
main exempt from any tax laid by order Of any authority
Of the State, whether for State county township any
other purpose whaiove for the term OF five years from aud
after the day Of sale"
This clause does not stand by itself the acts admitting
The more. recent States but is mixed with other
diions. will not believe, however, that any discrmi-
nation be made between particular land States the
ground OF difference in their conditions, which may
properly be attributed accidental circumstances The
provision Just quoted Is found Substantially in the acts
for the admission Of Ohio, Missouri Illinois, and Arkan-
sas. So far these States concerned, it il CON-
pete consideration in the nature OF satisfaction for the
reservations and grants enjoyed by them II also helps
TO illustrate the value OF the immunity from taxation
enjoyed by the United States, by exhibiting the
sons made by the United States 10 secure this franchise
for certain lands during the brief space OF five years
After tho constant CHARGES of squandering the public
lands, aud Of partiay TO the land States, think all will
be as,onlshed at the small amount 10 be entered the
debtor side, In the great account between toe States and
the national government. This consists of grants for
internal improvements, IN The whole reaching 10 only
eight millions four hundred and seventy-four thou.
sand four hundred and seventy-hree acres. which
at 81 IS acre, will be Sl0,593,09i n this sTm
be deducted from the estimated value OF the mmu-
nifty from taxation enjoyed by the United States we shall
still have upwards Of S6o.oooooo yielded BY the land
States 10 be nation or, il call the annual tax two
cents an acre, more than double this sum-
In these estimates have grouped all the land States
together. But taking separate States. shall find the
same proporonate result For instance there is Ohio
with 1o,770,oS4 proclaimed Tor sale down 10 Janu
aryl 1912 Adopting the basis already employed and
Stunning that these lands continued in the possession OF
the United States after being surveyed and proclaimed
average period OF twenty-five years. and hattie land
tax was one cent an acre, have 81 l92 725 the
value OF the immunity from taxation enjoyed by the Uni
ted States in Ohio. From this may be deducted the
value OF 19 l34 being grants 10 this State for in
ternal improvements al 81 as acre, equal TO 81 49,
367, leaving upwards ot two millionsnearly three mill
lions--of dollars yielded by this State to the nation
Take another Stae--Missouri. II appears that down
to January $780, $685. 0e had been proclaimed
for sale in this State Assuming again the basis already
immunity from taxation enjoyed BY the United States in
Missouri. From this may be deducted the value of
100000 granted TO this State for internal improve
men,s, which, al 81 IS acre. will amount seas 600
leaving upwards of nine millions OF dollars thus Welded
by Missouri to the nation.
might in this way go through with all the land States
individuality but enough has been done TO repel all
charges against them and to elucidate their peculiar
equity in the premises On the one SIDE they have re-
ceived tle--very le--from the nation while on the
other side, the nation, by every consideration of equity
rs largely indebted to them. This obligation OF itself
constitutes fund TO which the land States may properly
resort for assistance in their works OF internal improve
ment, and Congress will show indifference TO the Jus,
demands OF these States should il fail TO deal beautifully
with them tE-sb ,M N8I
Against this clear and ellsupported title of the land
States the old States present small claims to consid
lands within their acknowledged jurisdiction they have
made valuable thar y,n AL.