Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-26
From the Indiana Platform.

1t should not be lost sight of that a Home
stead bill passed, both Houses of Congress at
the recent session. 1t first passed the House,
containing provision that theland should be
granted to actual settlers as free gift, pro-
vided they would continue to live thereon for
i've years. 1t was sent to the Senate, where
a long and labored discussion took place. It
! was found, at length, that bill in that shape
could not pass, the Senate having sustained
the veto of the President on the Insane bill,
partly on the ground that the public lands
should not be given away without some con-
sideration. 1t was at this stage Of the pro.
ceedings that Mr.. Stuart, Of Michigan, offered
as substitute Mr.. Hunters amendment, pro-
yiding for general disposition Of the public
lands, and for homestead to actual settlers.
at a cost of forty dollars far one hundred and
SIXTY acres Of land the moment any of the
public lands should come into market and
taoenty dollars for one hundred and sixty acres
where the land has been in market for twenty
five years-the person settling on the land to
have five years to pay the forty or twenty dol.
lars, when he will receive patent from the
government. aPA-
This amendment of the distinguished sena-
tor from Virginia was subsequently withdrawn
by Mr.. Stuart and afterwards offered by him
sell. 1t is more In accordance with the feel
inrgs of many of the people of Indiana, than
the free gift bill of the House. 1t goes on the
superstition, that the mere nominal price of
forty doitars-with FIVE years to pay it in
Will reimburse to the government the price of
surveying, DC. This seems so reasonable, that
no sensible man will object to it. This provi-
sion coming from the senator from Virginia
where there are no public lands, shows his en-
not II
not be called measure to extend slavery, for
it would have the reverse effect, if there were
any apprehensions in this regard.
Both Of the senators from Indiana supported
the bill of the House, giving the lands away,
as long as there was any prospect of success.
as well as Senator Dodge, of Iowa, and other
western senator's. Many of these were very re-
luctant to give up their fayorite measure
When they found, however, after labored ef
fort, that their fayorite proposition could not
pass, they supported Mr.. Hunters amendment,
as the next best proposition, and the bill passed
the Senate by a very large majority, contain
ing this amendment. The bill has now passed
both Houses, and should the House concur.
next winter, in the Senate's amendment, it will
be law at once. If it needs any amendment.
1t can easily be effected, by committee of free
conference on the part of the two Houses.
We have been somewhat surprised that more
has not been said by the public press on this
subject. careful perusal of the bill will
satisfy every unprejudiced mind, that it pro-
poses to remove from the halls Of Congress one
OF the most yexatious and corrupting subjects
OF legislation, and place it in the hands Of The
people of the States where the lands Ia. mon
such terms and conditions as dcss even handed
justice to every State in Inc Union. The de.
tails OF Mr.. Hunters bill disposes Of the public
DOMAIN IN this country in manner and upon
a basis that cannot fail TO give general salts
faction, and does more credit to the head and
heart OF the author, living, as he does in the
south, than any measure proposed for the dis
posal OF the public domain, since our land sys-.
tenn was established. We invite the attention
OF the press in the West to this bill. bopino
they may speak out and thereby aid its pas,
sage. 1t is the very best bill for the West we
viii ever procure the passage of, in the Senate.