The Empire County argus., 1854-04-08

large portion held by few persons. the remainder
must soon be taken up and it is reasonable to be-
hcvc that long before the ten years allowed those
companies to sell their lands every foot will be re-
quired for actual occupation. Consequently our
people will be taken from thirteen. to thrty-thrcc
millions of dollars within the next ten years.
1t may he said our Legislature will have to pass
laws to regulate how they shall be donated. True,
but who wishes such fire brand to be thrown
amongst us What would be the consequence
1t was charged that the whole legislature of 81 and
% were bribed by the spectators in the water lot
front OF San Francisco, estimated to be worth two
millions Of dollars--that six water lots were offered
to one member last year change his vote on this
question. This Legislature are frequently charged
with bribery and corruption on the ephemera qucs
tions Of the day. But what success shall we have
at an election when the disposal of many millions is
in the power of the coming Legislature. What
scenes will there be in that Legislature, and what
corruption and bribery not to say charges.
If am right in the positions | have taken, what
ought to be Immediately done If it is the fact that
Congress, on the old preemption law, donates moth
ing but the power to charge oug people double the
established price for land or rtscrving from the
operation of the best-thc wiscSt law chat ever ena-
mated from Legislative body--the donating or
rather securing to every citizen his inaenablc right
portion Of the carth--if say, that at the re-
quest OF our representatives. Congress has gone so
far to stuty its beniticent act as to
|
million acres Of land, for which our people, uui'r
the most favorable circumstances will have 10 pay
over thirteen millions of dollars if ii will throw a
fire brand into our legislative halls pre- venting and
destroying all good and necessary legislation if
such is true. what ought to be accion Oar
people ought to be apprscd of the fact it is too
late, and they Will speak as never spoke, thro
themselves, through their presses, through their
Legislature, forbddinS Congress to pass any such
law they will call their Representatives in
Congress to repudiate their acts; they will cali
on them 20 explain how they to advise 50 i'll de-
viscd an act.
Some months ago saw an estimate of cost and
expected income from the San Francisco and San
Jose railway, which was--l know and think the
/ lion. gontlonan from Alameda can bear me out -
fully ample to justify the outlay. and think it
needs little alteration in statutes to prove it.
few moro words and have done. Nearly all
our lands available for present purposes, to use Mr.
Gwns own words. are claimed under Spanish or
Mexican titles. real incohate simulated, fraudu-
lent Another large portion is donated to our State.
Then how cruel how unjust, to pass a bill donating
! 100 ocro, ot land to snttnHs and thereby causing
tAousanls 70 l,age lnol homes in the ir-off States
and when they come here to find all claimed by
foreign grants, State grants, or, worse than all
grants to foreign bankers for railway purposes
What mockcry! See, sir, the effect of the 500,00l
acres donated to this State for school purposes
What has been action! 1t has been that of 4
proAigatc heir VIII has squandcred his inheritance
before it came into his possession possibly, we may
say, for good purpose, dare say proiligate heir:
take the same junction to their souls. What art
we now doing Are we trying to amend oar wrong
to retrace our footsteps! No sir, palliatin4
it, we arc calling upon Congress to legasc our OWL
illegal act, to say virtually we did right when W.
did wrong and then justify it with education. Ed
ucaton once lived in country where the people
cried for bread the Government made an appro
priation tor churches They asked for bread, anC
Government gave thema stone. This is the actor
recommended or rather the people call for cduca
ton and in reply the Legislature of this State have
taken from them the means Of getting their bread
and referred them to spectators. Gentlemen,
thank you for your courtesy, and do hope we shall
act promptly ON these resolutions.