Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1853-12-21
The Public Lands

/ We do not know that this Legislature will take NJ
the subject Of the dist ibuton Of the public lands
but II has been a standing theme OF legislation So
long that il would appear quite strange il Virginia
Legislature were TO adjourn without having some,
thing to say it, and without devoting considera.
Die share of the session TO its
IT ever amounts 10 anything or not.
We trust thai if the question is taken up during
this session of the Legislature it may not again share
the fate that has usually beiacn ito be STAYED oil
to the heel of the session, and left Just about where
it was ,mmen"ed with the addition only of sundry
sercotyped resolutions, upon which definite action
is taken, and numerous long speeches pro AMI con-
We have had enough of that Kind Of legislation
over the distribution of the public lands. While Viz
GINA legislators have been debating the question from
one years end TO another and luibbnc over Consti.
tutional points, and conscientious scruples, other
States have been dividing the public lands among
themselves by the wholesale Ii this system is TO be
pursued much longer, it is very apparent that land
distribution will be eventually effected to all practi-
cal purposes but without giving the State of vr-
gina any portion at all.
distribution Of the public Lands is going on grad
uay among the new States and all the legislation Of
the old SUSCEPTIBILITY OF Virgnia-cannot stop
i. The question is no longer VIII. Their the public
lands snail lie dis .rbutel, or not but whether VIZ
cina is TO in fof her share That question the
Virginia Legislature must settle. They can adopt
whato' of dong - may be deemed proper by
the party majority Of that body. They can come
out positively and say that they will not permit Vr
gina TO receive an equitable portion or they can as
'hectua'ly deny any portion to the State by dodg-
ing the issue until the public lands ale disposed Of
ayon the grabbing system, low being successfully
practScd by citizens Of the Western States mo-.
prominent among whom. are leaders Of the Democra-
" who it appears have far conscientious scruplcs
on this score than their brethre'. Of this State.
The Whig party have time and again pressed the
importance OF this subject upon the people OF the
state ana upSa the Legislature. Ii Virginia is to
lose Lsr share Of this rich boon il will not be their
fault They have discharged ticr 4gty 20 .ns stale
by yasouSiy enicayGrng to secure tina, distrbutiye
share Of the public lands to which Virginia is entitled
The want Of success that has attended their efforts
nay be dsoowsging, but the deep interest which the
State has involved Is not therefore to he los, sight
Of Their ei,oys have not been without good effects
to some extent In the elections Of last spriag or
members Of the Legislature, We had land distriJu-
ton Democrats A. well as land distribution Wings
! ne policy OF an equal distribution Of the public
lands had o'.1n. % apparent that various coun-
ties Of the State, Dcmocguc cS"di1ate 20, seat in
the Legislature in favor oft aud were elect
cd with The avowed pledge to give their supper, in
carrying cd, In, policy
II may be due 20 those l.e.n IS OF the LEGISLATURE
to aif al them The opportunity Of flihiiing tGei.
pledges To a confdng constituency. The Obligation
may uDnn Them IN ,ptrnlu.a q lil =, tl,t