Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1852-12-24
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
DISTRIBUTION.


rh ovements of The "land reformers," in aud out OF
Congress- for the last year two, seem recently 10 nave
drawn public attention. no, little to the subject oil os'
button.
Tho Who's ever wachul seize upon any hoang stfa"
Tho, holds ont hope OF to their sinking cause
Ia no, failed TO take advantage OF one that aooeo 50
vorabls an opportunity of working upon Tho people, ous"
the necuniary necessities of tho State and the consequent
fea Of increased taxation The heavy demands upon the o'ae
treasury which they have had busy hand IN ceahg are
held up in the people, al the same tune a'
peraed statements. made Of the amount ana Vaiue Oh
yrpuiss share of the public lands which she has only TO
reach over her take and have ample means 70 pay
her debts build her improvements and educate her peoples
without The addition Of dollar TO the taxes, the Deo
Gratis would only accept the proered osn OF course hey
hold US responsible Tor refusing such ample provision LOT
the public wants. especially, 1t will constitute lana WIN
which proRgacy and extravaganza may run o'' "h''s'
l, avoid. the odium Of increased taxation
Unfortunately for tn. case however except tue pou'
bride of forty thousand doars allotted 10 Virginia nnder he
distribution bill Of S4l there is nothing PRACTICAL as ye1
involved In the question What the present Congress may
do we are unable foresee The objections TO receiving
forty thousand dollars strong now as ever anu Muse
objections were sci forth SO orcby in the Democratic ad-
dress OF 1872 the Legislature not only refused 10 'ouch
tho uncean thing elections every where, soon at'er'
overwhelmed tho Wings defeat and the distribution
bill was itself Immediately repealed The Wing leaders In
the Legislature fought manuy against the sentence OF con-
demnaton: but, the first glimpse OF its detornies Inc
people Indignantly spudated both the measure and It's au-
thors in fact par: of system adopted al 1he
extra session. without regard to constitutional right JUS
tice and designed by concentrating the hopes OF number
of associated and mutually dependent interests upon the
Wing possessors OF power, lin other words, by log
rons to perpctuate Wing ascendency In the Government
NJ foff he Init
basis of the opposition of the Virginia Democracy 10 this
particular part of the SYSTEM will be found in the very able
preamble and resolutions presented the House of Dele
gates by Mr.. Jno L. Holiday, the 23rd OF December
le4 We deem 1t advisable at the present time, 10 revert
them and the Democratic address of February 2nd
1912, recurrence TO fundamental principles"
The 6rs section of preamble alluded TO declares that
in the opinion of General Assembly Of Virginia. The
Constitution tho United States does not confer upon Con-
Rress any power raise money for Distribution either oy
sale of the public lands taxation by borrowing or In any
other mode" comprehensive denial OF the consi
uona power Of Congress TO enact the law could n't vel
be made and the proposition it contains is plainly deduct
be not merely from the theory Of the strict
but the universally received doctrine which denies TO
Congress not expressly conferred by the Con-
suton or such as are necessary incidents the granted
powers Tested by this rule it would be vain TO search for
the least shadow Of authority for the Distribution bill OF Al
shat would welt justify tho assumption by The Fede.
raj Government Of the State debts the regular supplying
of their wants of the Federal treasury The rule laid
down in Mr. Madson's report of 1899 and 1900, that
'wheneyef been raised by the general authority
which be applied particular measure question arr
ses whether The measure be within the enumerated author
tieu vested Congress- If . be- the requisite may
be applied it, Ii it be not then no appropriation can be
made"-is also applicable and seems TO remove all doubt
of the uncous,i,uonaly Of the bill Of Al II matters
not In what Inannrr The fedora! Golfers filed
there money and only be appropriated 10 such
objects clearly within the constitutional range OF con-
grssiona action long al least there such OBJ
jes uhch application of money needed Few will
be found this day and in this State, contend for the
right of Congress build roads and canals for the States
educate their children; pay he- debts defuy the
penses Of their governments. IL This be amongst Genuine
arted authorities vested in Congress- and therefore proper
objects of appropriation of the Fodoru casury then
Congress 10 clearly not restricted giving away the land
fund merely, but may appropriate any other revenues not
otherwise appropriated and may by taxation or by oans or
in any other legitimate way of raising money, create
fund expressly for the purpose of distribution among the
States Such is the inevitable consequence Of recogn
ton of the power and though perhaps be car
ried far yet ftmay be attained by regular and logical de-
duction from the premises, it illustration 10
prove both Its dangerous tendency and unconsutionaty
Neither the power he claimed necessary Incident TO
any granted power, and If it is il is incumbent on those
who claim il, to establish their claim by ndubiabe proof;
for those who desire preserve the limitations OF the Con-
sution and keep the Federal government within it's
sale and proper sphere will abstain from and dis.
approve the exercise OF powers The grant to Con-
gress power dispose and make oil needul rules &C.
respecting the territory and other property Of the u States
support the claim; for is well known to mean no
that Congress- agent for the whole Union
shall manage the property for the common benefit
under the forms and restrictions of the Constitution The
public lands especially TO be managed that all the
States should receive benefit from hem according TO their
usual proportion in the general charge and expendlue-
The bill Of i'll had been unobjcctonabe other grounds
violated this equality by making extraordinary dscrmna
ons 10 favor OF the States and was, perhaps also
wrong in allong shares of the fund the territories and
10 the District of Columbia. The whole proceeding was
utterly variance with the condition of the deeds of cesson
from Virginia. and is Justification say that much Of
the land had been acquired by purchase from Others Con-
Hcss constitutional right 10 raise money directly
b. taxation, by borrowing, distribute among the
States and territories land body the con-
traryt ii follows OF that it does possess the
right Hrst to buy land with that money, then sci the
land and distribute proceeds So of lands acquired by
conquest They the prodact OF the joint efforts of all
mado with the Joint contribution OF men and MEANS consti
joint stock and must be managed by Con
gess the joint agent oil all for tbs benefit OF all Yin their
respective usual proportions in the general charge and
penditure This cannot be accomplished but by applying
IL 10 such objects within the scope Of congressional action
as need and for which money might properly be
raised by upon people Thus used each State does
10 fact receive benefit In proportion to what II would
contribute the imposed In other way il
be DONE every scheme of distribution therefore, only
involves breach OF the constitution but result in
inequality and injustice.
indeed tho right dispose of and make needfu
rules &C., for the territory and other property of The Uni
States coners authority upon Congress pass such
the distribution bill of al why may also,
der the very grant and in the manner dspose
OF the public buildings the navy arsenals and property of
every description owned BY the United States and under its
management as their general agen2 There 10 be
limit the power i, exists ALL and so the Federal Gov
ernment instead OF being specified and restricted pow
srs, would hold "charter iilmi,abe the wind"
To conclude this constitutional Of the subject the
power dangerous tendency so liable to abuse