The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1854-02-17

er.
But i, has been for some time very ap-
parent that the demand Tor Legislation far
/ exceeded the necessity for il. Legislation
os,ensibly for the benefi, of the whole peo-
pie, but designed in reality 10 meet some
case which has arisen between individuals,
10 say nothing Of the injustice j, may oc-
casion 10 one of The parties, tends material
ly to diminish public confidence in the wis
dom and integrity of the law making pow.
er. The aiiemp, 10 provide by law for
every case which may BY possibility arise
will ever prove an idle one. Ii is in vain
10 look for perfection in human legislation
The attempt 10 arrive at it by amendments
usually defeats lis object, or, a, least, leaves
il unai,ained As choice Of evils hold
il 10 he wiser, more for The interest OF The
people ohentimes, 10 retain upon the statue
book law as il is, even though imperiec,
in some Of lis provisions, than 10 be per-
pe,ually laboring 10 amend il. II is legal
maxim, that every man is presumed 10
know the law. Such being the rule recog-
nized and enforced by our courts in the adj
mins,ra,ion of justice, ii is in justice due
10 every man that our laws should be as few
and as free from complexily rs possible.
No triiling portion Of the sessions OF the
! Legislature Is often consumed in what is
termed special legislation; legislation di-
rectly for individuals, but presumed 10 be,
indirectly, for the benefit Of the whole peo-
pie. Such legislation is incident 10 the
business enterprise which characierizes us
as a people: no exception is 10 be taken 10
il as such. Blu, il will not be amss for me
to r,mini you, that in so lcgisla,ing for one
individual you should have careful regard
for the Interests OF others, and see well TO
il that the natural rights Of every citizen, rs
well as those secured by the Constitution,
are not iniringed.
There are few subjects of general in.
,erest, TO which desire, very briefly, TO di.
rect your attention at this time, reserving rs
n subjec, for future communication others Of
minor importance.
The contract entered into by the Com.
missioners appointed at the last annual ses-
sion OF The Legislature 10. the purchase Of
the public lands lying in this State belong.
ing 10 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
and ratified by the Legislature nj lis late
special session has been perfected and the
title of Massachusetts transferred 10 this
Stale. The conflicting interests which
during the greater portion OF our existence
as an independent State have embarrassed
the management Of our public lands, and
in no slight degree retarded their settlement,
and improvement have ceased TO exist,
and we are now at liberty 10 adopt and
pursue, unembarassed, such policy in The
management and disposal OF the entire
public domain as may be deemed most for
our interest. What the wises, policy is
you are TO decide, and il is a question upon
which there will be found TO be, probably,
no little diversity of opinion.
The first insiallmeni of the deb, incurred
in tho purchase OF the Massachusetts lands
will not become due until tho year eiSll-
teen hundred and siyiy.,hree. The necessi.
ty for forced sale of the lands purchased,
therefore, does not now exist. Yet, for
many reasons most obvious 10 every mind,
immediate sales, 10 any amount, OF lands
suitable for agricultural purposes, 10 such as
will enter upon and improve them wlk a
view 10 permnen, settlement, are desir.
able. No reader method Of augmenting
the resources of the State can be devised
than by adding 10 its population and taxable
property. Sales of land 10 actual settlers
tend directly TO this end !; and ,ha. will be
judicious Legislation which holds out strong
inducements 10 the young, industrious and
enterprlzing population OF our own and
other States 10 become purchasers. How
strong those inducements should be will
not undertake 10 decide; but il requires no
grea, amount Of ariihme,ical skill TO ar.
rive at the result that the acquisition of any
.nI,,s,..o,. ,ntall.nan,
citizen is worth far more 10 the State than
the lot Of land he enters upon aud culti-
Yates would re were il 10 remain unculti.
vaied.
1t has heretofore been regarded sound
policy for the State TO encourage settlements
upon her lands by aiding, directly OF indi.
rec,ly, in the construction OF roads and
bridges, in relieving settlers from some Of
the bur,hens OF citizenship, and granting 10
them certain rights and privileges. see
no reason why this policy should be aban-
doncd. An examination of the subject
may bring your minds 10 the conclusion
that il will be for the interest OF the State
to offer still stronger inducements, by
adopting policy more liberal, even, than
she has heretofore done in this parlicu-
lar.
Although the suggestion before made ap-
plies more particularly 10 sales OF lands
adapted TO agricultural purposes, j, is, with
some qualifications, equally applicable TO
portion of those usually denominaied
timber lands. To throw into the market at
once all our timber lands, or 10 withdraw
them entirely, would be- 10 my mind, alike
inexpcdien, and injudicious. They should
be carefully, not penuriously, husbanded
rs a fund from which the debt incurred in
their purchase and management is ultima
,ely to be paid, and at the same time en-
ployed as means Of developing and en-
ploying the enerprize and industrial efforts
O. our citizens. With n view TO the nj.
.ainment of The object las, named, il seems
10 me that il will be just, us well as judic.
ious, that such legislation shall be had Ms
will enable men OF limited capital, seeking
field for the Investment Of their labor by
practical operations, 10 become purchasers
directly from the State. This may be ac-
complished by providing for the sale OF
sections Of townships in the same mode,
and Upon the same terms, rs entire town.
ships may be sold; and, perhaps, by grant,
ing limited permits is some localities, when
upon examination j, shall be deemed ad.
van,ageous 10 the State 10 dispose of The
timber without, the soil.
There will still remain large quantity
Of land well ,imbered, which, although no,
demanded by the present exigencies OF
the market, must be eventually, and a,
much enhanced price. This territory The
State will do well To retain as safe in
vestmeni, and 10 meet the demand which,
in the natural course Of business, will from
time 10 time arise.
All sales Of public lands except such as
are required for settling purposes having
been suspended, by virtue Of Resolve
passed at the last session, the subject will
very properly come before you for consid.
nrn al. L., II