The daily union., 1852-02-13

Lake Superior The State OF Michigan loaned money
make the Improvement, and men in the employment O
The State commenced the work. and It's early completion
expected. But the general government nteTiered
That nteposilon was not oil peaceabe and quiet char
acie by admonon or Tenonsrance, or anappea TO the
civil authorities but the force OF the United States troops
invoked, and the agents and the wokmen dry-
en- off at the point OF the bayonet The State
PEELED 10 renqush the work, which has remained from
that day 10 the present untouched Although the
sary means obtained. and the work put under
tract and ITS performance commenced the asserted IurIs-
dclon OF the federal government the soil by
OF lis ownership nteposed, and prohibited and prevented
its completion Notwithstanding its great importance,
not 10 the Stale merely but the nation the patriotic efforts
OF the State defeated by the power OF the general
government This single instance exhibits in strong
light the general fact which am endeavorng TO present
ions giving to its charge the ownership of the public do
main, has committed 10 IL an unexamped control over the
best interests OF the land States
There is another portion of the stpulaons relative 10
the subject which is of equal importance II is the pro-
vision so ably remarked upon few days since by the
honorable senator from Massachusetts Mr.. SUMNER
refer to the power committed TO the general government
by ,re clause relative to taxation TINS Is positive
prohibition 10 the States, within whose limits il is located,
ever TO impose tax on The public lands
The right OF taxation, well remarked, is sove
reign right and which cannot be yielded up except
by the express assent of the government of the State in
which the lands located The practical effect OF this
exemption is most oppressive to those States. The set
Tier in the forest surrounded in part by the public domain
Obliged to pay an assessment on his premises cr roads,
for schools and for his proportion OF the expenses OF the
government while the land OF the general government in
the vicinity is exempted from taxation The non
resident individual owner pays his just proportion OF the
public burdens where the great land is exempted
True every dollar paid for public purposes by the settler
nures in nconsiderabe share TO the benefit o that
proprietor who has the original disposal OF the land yet
that proprietor alone is exempt from all payments. And
authority exists in the State governments to compel
just contribution, according TO estale to any OF those gen.
era or local objects for which other land owners cheer
fully submit to taxation III any person Will scrutnze the
restrictions which have called attention, and their
consequences, he will not fail TO appreciate the oppres
slve burden which they impose on the land States SO
far my State is concened would consent to day
elnqush every OF land and restore every cent OF
money received OF the general government, on condition
that the public domain should be subject to axaon and
the amount accounted for which would have been here
tolore assessed upon it, if il had been private property
BY the terms of admission OF many OF the new States,
still more arbitrary power IN withholding taxation was
reserved Ii provided that the purchasers from the
general government should be exempt from taxation du
ring period OF five years after the purchase AVE. sr,
State of Missouri and there is bill now on your Ia
BILE, reported from committee to abrogate the lnvdIous
distinction. In the other States where this exemption
existed, has remained in full force until within few
years, when il was abolished This provision gave to
the United States not only exemption from taxes while
OF the SOIL but enabled them to transfer that ex
empon 10 an individual grantee, who could ENJOY the
benefit OF the contributions made by his neghbors with
out cost 10 himself.
Many persons here treat this subject as though
the restrictions mentioned unmporant, and as IL
the ownership of the public domain within the State by
the federal government affected no interests or rights.
but left the States in precisely the same condition as
though held by individuals. have endeavored
to show how different from this supposiion rs the Tact
Ii, as in the old States the unceded domain within theil
bounds were in charge OF the State authorities they
would have occasion TO come here and 10 solicit The
aid contemplated by this bill The proceeds derived IRON
the sales would be than sufficient for every pur
pose and the energy OF the State would soon cover u
with people and subject il to taxes II by rapid
sales could pass into the hands OF individuals and the
exemption from taxes thus be terminated would ren
der such aid comparatively unimporaDt
II senators suppose that there is nothing onerous IN
this condition OF affairs let ask them to apply the test
to their own States Let me ask the senator IRON Penn
syvania upon what consideration his Sate would con-
sent 10 enQuish the right OF taxation and CONTROL by
her authorities, tenths OF her territory? Yet
nineenhs OF some States are still public domain Upon
what condition would the senator from Massachusetts
yield up this right OF taxation and control over
OF his own State Upon what condition would Virginia
consent 10 apply TO one.haf the State exemption from
taxation. and the exclusion of The ordinary ursdiconal
power2 No consideration would induce assentto such a
proposition II will apply the principle to their
others They will recognise a broad distinction between
the old and States They will see that there Is I'M
posed the federal government the great andhoder
in the States under the conditions already ced an obli-
CATION sustain liberal policy towards these States IN
settling the land, and promoting the general interest AS
before said, the general government has The power any
moment-to it would be violating every sentiment oil
usce-to put its hand upon every principle OF prosperity
by which these States now expanding themselves,
and becoming, day by day, more and more important -
never be used by the general government and that there
has been and continues to be great beraty exercised
on the subject. do not stand here, SIR, TO doubt or
ldeny have the utmost confidence IN senators here,
and in members in the other House, and in the Executive
know their disposition TO do everything which they be-
lleve be justly required. But have scarcely ever
seen individual from the Atlantic States, who had
never been in the western region OF our country and
who knew nothing OF it more than be obtained from
reading and other ordinary sources OF information, VINO
could appreciate at all the condition oil the land Saies
With his State for standard, the differences oil con-
dtion escape his attention, the effects are overlooked
or misunderstood Some matters OF public interest may
be presented that he is convinced OF their Importance
We may present geographical facts which show The
statistical information, exhibiting their rapid progress
and giving a glance at their future destiny We may
point TO their commerce, their agriculture their incpen
manufactures but after all there remains difficulty o
obtaining full realization OF the great interests oil those
Sales which meets at every step do not attribute
lii 10 any want OF liberal feeling. On the contrary
know the anxiety with which, in many quarters, know
edge upon these subjects is sought and how highly II
appreciated. Senators who kindly give me their al
ention al this moment-and for they have my beartie
thanks-lsten in hopes that something oil TACT or argu
ment may be presented in my imperfect remarks worthy
of their consideration. But with all their disposition 'c
do Justice 10 us, there difficulty IN approaching bt
true condition and relations, the prospects and interests
OF the land States; and still greater difficulty IN realizing
how all these interviewer with The great interests OF
the nation, and how every act which promotes he pros
perity OF that immense vaey-n Itself an empire IN lu
broad exen-brngs back rich returns TO The prosperity
OF the Union.
faithful administration OF these lands in reference to
the interests OF the States requires something more than
fixing the price at low minimum and Offering them iol
sale Other legislation has important bearing on the
l.at. .,I aNe tba