The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-22
COMPRESSION Al.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN PERKINS, JR.,
OF LOUISIANA,

m =
az the administration OF the public lands within their
limits; delivered in the House Of Representatives
Tn House being in Committee of the Whole on the
stae of he Union
Mr. PERKINS rose and said
Mr. CHAIRMAN OF all the great questions that have
been discussed within these walls has SO deeply
affected the legislation of the country as that of the dis
position OF the public lands Like agriculture IN our ma
er interests Ii is the bottom, and has affected every
other interest addressing the House IN explanation OF
the substitute have offered should feel great difdence
il proposed than to recall the views OF those who
have already discussed the subject Within the hour al
loved me only state principles and facts and ndi-
cate wthou, arguing, their application
Mr. Calhoun once remarked TO Chief Justice Marshall
who Frequently repeated it in illustration OF the mental
Of The great South Caronan that there but
Two things be considered in the formation Of govern
menthe organization dad distribution poeer The force
of this remark especially felt IN any attempt to discuss
the policy or operation Of land system without first
tracing 1t to its origin From an insignificant agency
under cerkshp OF the Treasury department IT has with
our increase population and extension OF territory be-
conc distinct branch Of the government extending in
ts various ramcatons into thirteen States of the Union
and exerng influence that looking to the delicacy and
Importance of the interests affected and the nature of
institutions find parallel except in the India Board
governing from London the immense territories Of England
in the East @g
we had only about tree-sevenhs Of present territory
that Mr. Calhoun said he satisfied that the period had
arrived when its entire revolution, applicable TO the
States unavoidable. His words were: The States
shave ougrown the system Since its first adoption they
have into existence have passed through state OF
infancy, and are now arrived at manhood The system,
which wise and just at first is neither wise just
when applied to them in their changed condition.
Mn CHAIRAAS, WHAT WAS ORIGINALLY THIS SYSTEM
WHAT ITS oPERArIoN2 In WHAT DEFEcTIvE2 WHAT
ARE THE REMEDIEs PROPOSED? ARE CONSTITUTIONAL
AND ExPEDIENT?
The bill which offer is directed rather against vice
organization than OF principle 1t was first proposed in
resolution introduced into the Senate of the United States
in 1926, by Mr. Tazewel, of Virginia it indicated in
the message Of General Jackson in 1882 and brought to
the notice of the Senate by Mr. Calhoun, in 1884, in bill
almost identical In terms with the present one.
In 1885, Mr. Calhoun advocated it in the Senate In l840
he secured report in its favor from the Senate Committee
Public Lands composed of Robert j. Walker, chair
of Vermont and Norvcl of Michigan. In ls4l Judge
Young of illinois, again introduced it into that body
where after discussion there were eighteen votes in its
favor and twenty-five against it. Among those voting for
it find the names Of Allen of Ohio, Anderson Benton
Calhoun, Clay of Alabama Fulton, King of Alabama
Linn, Lnmpkn, Mouon Nicholson Norvell Robinson, Sc
ver Smith Of Connecticut Tappan Walker OF Mississippi
and Young Of Illinois
Before explaining its provisions it will be necessary
state briefly the history of the acquisition of the public
lands and the policy which has controlled their dispo-
sition.
After the declaration of independence and before the
adoption Of the articles of confederation the disposition
the vacant lands in the West claimed by the several col
onies became subject Of controversy. Maryland and
other of the smaller Sates contended that this unsettled
domain, wrested by the common blood and treasure OF
the thirteen colonies should be common property par
celed ont by Congress into free, convenient and indie
pendent governments in such and at such times
as Congress should determine Maryland refused
cede to the confederation because this point yield
ed The other States acceded, reserying their rights
these lands common property.
In March, 1880, New York. remove this dissatisfaction
rendered TO the States her western lands and in the
year Congress passed resolution earnestly recommend
ing the other States having like possessions do the
declaring by resolve on the 10th October atla the unap-
propriated lands which should be ceded renq
TO the United States by any particular State should be
disposed Of for the common benefit of the United States
and be settled and formed into distinct republican States
which should become members Of the federal Union and
have the rights of sovereignty and freedom and indie
pendence of the other States the lands be granted
settled at such times and under such regulations should
afterwards be agreed upon by the United States in Con-
gress assembled.
In March, l7sl the Maryland delegates signed the ar
ces of confederation and under this compact the union
OF the colonies complete.
The cession of New York was accepted October 1882
One Of its conditions was that the lands eeded should be
and inue for the and benefit of such OF the United
States as should become members of the federal alliance
and for mo other use purpose whatever
In MARCH 1884, Virginias cesson executed and
accepted One OF its conditions was that the lands ccded
Considered a fund for the use and benefit
such OF the United States have become shall become
members OF the or fedora; alliance f Tho rl
States Virginia inclusive according their respective
proportions in the general charge ard expenditure and shs
b. faithfully and bona de disposed Of for that purpose
Tor no other use or purpose whatsoever"
In 1885, &c. and s7, Massachusetts, Connecticut ans
South Carolina made cessons of their lands similar
ditons
Our present government was organized on 9th March
1883 The only arsion made to the public lands in III,
constitution
The Congress shall have power dispose or and max,
aneedfu rules and regulations respecting the territory
other property belonging tho United States and nothing
~ this constitution shall be construed preju dice
CLAIMS Of the United States, Of any particular State
North Caronas cesson OF land was accepted in April
1880, and Georgas IN June 1902 These cessons almost
In The terms Of those Of Virginia except that Georgia
omitted the clause according their usual respective
poporhons IN The general charge and expenditure were
IKE those OF all the other colonies response to the rec
ommendation OF the confederation and adopted by and
maoe p'nding upon the government to guard them as
'oTuoh iund Tor the common benefit Of all the States
way Sa, within year after the cession by Virginia
ana paore That from any other State except New York
passed an ordinance regulating the survey OF the
Buohc domain, which is The basis Of our present system
FROM tnis, u has been gradually built IN by long course
OF executive direction and conoressiona le,islann
on the 18th Of May, l796 Congress passed the first sw
Tor the sale Of the public lands
The first land offices were Opened at Cincinnati; ara
psourg The price fixed Sc per acrcone-half cash
INC residue IN one year On the 10th Of Nav soo Con
gress stxtsnded the credit to one-fourth cash no -
four years The credit granted induced excessive Ypr
ehase and IN 1905 and g. and at different periods snh
quenty up 10 1920 Congress passed relief laws in mitoo
uon OF ne stem In 1920 the present cash system Wa
adopted and the price reduced to 81 % per acre
Appeals to Congress for relief now ceased This va,
thcfrN decided Improvement in the system
Alter this acts Of prepmpiion were at yarions t,e.
passed by Congress, but limited and remedial IN ,hei
character until the th OF September ls4 when our pres
ent prospective aud general pre-empon law was passed
This was the second great Improvement in the system
graduation BILL founded upon the exercise Of the dis
ereon proprietor cxhibis-dscrimnai In proe ac
oording to the value Of his lands consider the tr
great improvement in the system. This although ofte
urged upon Congress as constitutional and vise mode
20 rl.s a