The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1853-03-11

other branch of Congress- say nothing OF lis practical
advantages where II has been tested that deem use
less TO consume the time Of The Senate in offering further
Arguments OF my own or in repeating those OF Others
lis support Every senator is of the fact that
when new country is surveyed and brought into market
every tract worth the government price entered and
paid for in less than five years. and the sales after that
test OF lis value owing TO the mprov of the
pioneer settlers by which an enhanced valse is impaired
these contiguous lands become necessary TO enlarge the
farms of the settlers for stock ranges, &c, when fact
The lands are not worth, ntrnseay he money paid for
In this way and for these reasons the has
exorted millions from her citizens trust desires
TO see II longer continued.
My proposition is a liberal TO the settler than
any that has been heretofore made Since the origin OF
our land system, public sentiment has undergone great
lands. The first plan sell the lands to the highest
bidder, giving the occupant preference by pre-emp
lion or Otherwise, and fixing the minimum price two
dollars per acre. This policy pursued till 1920
when yielded to just and liberal one, by which
the price reduced to $ as per acre. aud secured
right OF pre-empon to the actual settler upon payment OF
that sum. Much OF your lands have been in market
that price Tor thirty years. and remain unsod for the OBJ
vons reason that II is not worth the price you ask for it,
and. might safely add, never will be- unless in the pro.
gress OF railroad improvements, demand should anse
IN specially favored districts OF country. The man who
would hold his rich and poor valuable and vaIueless
lands at the nfexibe price, would be considered
very unwsc land operator What would be unwise in
individual, seeking to increase bis gains, surely
still more 80 in the government which does not should
not seek TO epensh its treasury al the expense OF the
best class of its citizens.
As the price was reduced from So to 81 a5 thirty
three years it quite time that it should be reduced
to I'll per acre, and then graduated proposed by my
amendment. ii you will adopt this amendment sub
stilue for the original BILL and the House concurs,
have no doubt It will, not whisper of discomfort will
be heard throughout this broad land Our people have
never been known TO complain of Congress for doing
justice to her citizens. BY the adoption OF this amend
place homesteads within the reach of thousands who
cannot obtain them under the present law. And what
Is equally as Important you present hun no temptation
TO forfeit his se-respect. Men do like to become
paupers upon The gov unless have utterly mis-
taken the characters OF those with whom have lived all
my life firmly believe that this amendment would
only be more acceptable to the people generally, but
would be hailed with Joy than any act OF Congress
that has passed within the last thirty years.
| Mr.. President it must be obvious to all who have
closely observed the indications Of public opinion. that
something must be done with the public lands; rad
ical change in policy with regard TO their dsposi
tion be made You have an overfowing treasury,
arising from duties IMPORTS amply sufficient to meet
the most extravagant wants OF the government. We
have therefore, excuse Tor perseverng the policy
nf selling these lands at profit; Just for
fusing act literally with the settler confident
that if this subject could be fully understood and fairly
presented to the American people, and their wishes could
be expressed thereon the pos that nnetenhs of them
would say with General Jackson, sell for such sum
will reimburse the treasury, but not speculation. And
if the other SEX mans better half consulted, their
something must be done.
| Il will be pcollected that we have our calendar
which provides for distribution of the lands among the
States. There was time in our political history when
great party in this country passed an act for the dstr
among the States. Another party, greater ia numbers
resisted the policy and appealed to the people upon it
Their opposition to il was ngrafted upon their platform
OF principles, and sustained by the popular verdict
There stands yet. with the seal OF the people reversing
the policy of distribution. II cannot be denied that this
feature in The platform Of principles TO which have
ferred II substantially the distribution system, bu, in
a much more Objectionable form. The wing party pro-
posed to divide the proceeds the Bennett bill proposes
division Of the lands thereby making freehoders of the
old States and tenants ot the new The soil OF soye
reign State is proposed TO be owned aud controlled by
thirty other States the land TO be leased, rented sold
Tor the highest possible price, according to the whm or
caprice OF the proprietor Perhaps the senators from
Maine could tell us something of the practical effects
We have heard much said from time time the sub
ect OF State sovereignty and federal encroachmenis, but
in my humble judgment, there pever has been PROPOSE
ton introduced either branch OF Congress- siAce the
adoption OF the constitution which involves more out
violation OF the just rights OF the States than the
bill TO which have alluded have been opposed
the doctrine of nullihcaon but, sir, any law passed
by Congress would justify such resistance it would be
this. For the opposed another bill your
calendar known Miss Dx's bill No one appreciates
highly than do the motives OF that most benevo
lent lady and public benefacress; but can never
make donation Of lands within sovereign State
to a corporation without its limits When this is done,
you retad the settlement OF the country, corrupt the
ais OF the people, deress the energies and violate the
sovereignty OF the State Congress has in several
stances donated alternate secuons oil Inc public land
aid in the construction OF railroads This right and
proper because the lands penetrated by those improve
ments thereby enhanced in value sought after and
sod and the reserved lands sell for than the whole
would have done without the improvement | not
informed how is other States, but the greater portion
OF the lands granted to the Mobile and Ohio railroad,
well those reserved 10 the government worth
one cent per acre, and would have sold for
that, whou, the improvement but with they will he
valuable. Beside this the Stale OF Mississippi has
already paid into your treasury immense pro6s the
entire the lands sold within that State.
II have not greatly deceived myself, Mr. President,
have shown that If the amendment proposed should
be adopted strict justice will be done TO every interest
concerned yet tempered with mercy tha, will be
acceptable TO this great naion-that IT will reimburse
the treasury every dollar expended in the acquisition
vey, and sale of the lands-hat will relieve the gov
ennent from the odous character of land speculator
OF the government by the increased prosperity OF
izens being the of goods who pays the du-
ties, and that it will be really acceptable 10 those
who intended to be its benehcares than the original
, bill II will be carrying out the humane recommends
don Of President Jackson, made twenty Years ago is
substantially the homestead bill without its Objectionable
features II will benefit much larger class OF citizens
1t will preserve the selfrespect OF those who enjoy
its benefits and will not be opposed by the people OF the
old States or the new These in my Judgment, are suf-
hcient reasons for the adoption OF my amendment
Before concluding, will invite the attention OF the
Senate to significant fact connected with this question
Since this bill has been pending in this body, many petit
tions have been presented praying its passage but so
far recolect, not petition has been introduced
here from any point south OF Philadelphia west oil Gin
cinnati except Arkansas Why il thisi How comes il
that the people from the land STATES as they are called,
are no, asking the passage OF this bf Ihe reason TO
H. hat of those Staten do