The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-06-10


by the gentleman ifom New York sr BENEFIT during
the hast Congress. Why 90 TO the gentleman from New
York for authority Better refer TO the public documents
But they would not serve the gentleman In the argument
he was making.
Sir but very briefly notice this question To sus-
tain their position that the lands have been charge upon
and not source of TO- the government the gem
uemen bring into the account the most unookedior and
astonishing charges II the language becoming this
place, ] would term il "trumped-up account First
they charge to the cost OF the lands the and i'm
terest paid for Louisiana in 1903 and the subse
quenty paid for Florida great Territory acquired
agree and most valuable acquisition made but
sir Mr. Jefferson and his party friends did make the
purchase Of Louisiana much to lands TO
tend sovereignty obtain safer western boundary
and TO the control Of the Mississippi river necessary
TO national defence and security, and important 10
the freedom safety and enlargement Of commerce and
in these respects the acquisition worth to greatly
more than the amount paid To extend boundary to
the and gulf in that direction and thus increase
security in military point of view Florida purchased
Considerations of national defence and of commercial poll
icy induced the purchases of Louisiana and Florida and
their cost not properly chargeabe to the public lands
will pass over many items of the account that are
worthy OF notice. and among them the of the forces
kept upon the frontier and TO the most remarkable
charges 10 wit the cost of the Florida Black Hawk and
other Indian wars set down at $500 O00o and the cost of
the Mexican war; charged $27 1881 making together
the modest sum of S4l7l755l7. Who Mr.. Chairman,
ever before dreamed that the expenses of these of the
nation chargeable to the public ands2 In the opn
ion of the gentlemen, have waged of conquest
land was the object land was the acquisition; and land
must be charged with the expenses Sir know of no act
dians towards any nation which attaches disgrace to
our flag In my Judgment that flag has never been car
red in wrong against any peope-never but in the right
hen the bloody and mercess savages burning the
homes and massacrng the people of the settlements in
Florida forces sent in warin righteous defen-
sive war-against them After prolonged and most har
assng struggle they subdued and government
the best indeed the only of safety and security
for continued peace took steps for their removal to other
lands beyond the Mississippi and remote from the settle
ments That not war for the conquest of territory
il waged for the defence Of the property and lives of
citizens AS well may the commerce of the country
be taxed with the costs Of the of 1872 because then
fought for its freedom and safety the lands with the
Florida or other Indian
Why charge part the cost of lands the expenses
of the Mexican war; Was that too OF conquest,
waged to acquire territory? suppose the gentleman SO
hold The opponents of that war; those who gave ad and
comfort TO the enemy at the time charged During its
progress believed it just and right; believe STILL The
vndcaton Of the country's honor required it. Many
wrongs had been done citizens and they had gone
redressod until at length our borders were crossed our
country invaded by armed foe and the blood of cit
liens shed under their flag. Peace longer
possible; war was forced upon us 1t was not war of
conquest The blood of murdered citizens called to be
avenged As the Missouri SENATOR in his "Thrty Years
Yiew says of the of 1872 with Mexico "was
necessary to the honor and interest Of the United States and
was bravely fought and honoraby concluded and makes
proud in our history Sir, how miseraby weak is
the claim of the old States to land distribution when, to
sustain it, they place country in the wrong and
charge upon the public lands the expenses Of waged
for the honor Of the whole country
have asked why the gentlemen do not refer to the pub
of the government will show thatthe
documents would not their purpose In his message
at the commencement of this session. the President says
You viii perceive from the report Of the Secretary of
the Interior that opinions which have often bean
in relation TO the operation Of the land system, not being
so no nros ,o the ae of the nabs lands 20 une so
| 1858, amounted to the sum of s63, 2s9,i65."
If the gentlemen win refer 10 the report Of the Com
missioner OF the General Land Office they will find that by
another and estimate the net receipt from
the public lands and above every cost is S60,38l
2l7 7o and that out Of the lands the government has
discharged its obligations the soldiers Of 1872 of the In
dian wars and Of the Mexican war; amount Of S4
76s32 20 This is proper to add TO the net profits
The Commissioner In his estimate of the cost Of the lands
included the amounts paid for Louisiana and Florida
These sums have attempted to show should not be incu
ded part Of the cost Of the lands They amount for
principal and interest TO S3o0l9l22 O9. This sum being
deducted from the Of the lands and the amounts given
in lands to discharge the obligations soldiers being add
ed TO the receipts, we have shown by the Commission
report the profits lands TO this time and above
all proper charges Sl05l6s 3Gs H. The Commissioner
estimates the lands unsod after deductng the cost of
vey, management and sale at s2s37l5,7l3 which, added
TO the profits already made make the public lands worth
to the government over and above every proper charge
the immense of S3sS85403 For the basis of these
estimates refer gentlemen to House document of this ses
sion No l. pages ll0, ILL., and liz. To the same docu
ment refer gentlemen for the fact that the lands when
sold TO the western people, have not cost the government
quite twenty-five cents per and that upon the lands
sold to them the government has made clear profit Of
dollar and three cents per And in the same doc
il win be found that upon the lands in the State Of
Indiana, the government has made proht OF over Sl6
100000
Sir we are asked 10 cqualze the grants Of lands the
several States but howl By returning the people Of
the West the many millions Of profit made of Of them in
the land sales By returning 70 the farmers of Indiana
the Sl6000OOO which they have paid for the lands they
cultivate and above their cost2 When and how have
received any adequate return Our great
obstructed and heavily taxed at the falls Of the Ohio
produce has paid many millions of dollars its way
TO market past that point Yet constantly refused
any sufficient appropriation for the removal Of that obstruc
ton Give but the oneeighh part Of the profits the far
Of Indiana have paid upon the lands they cultivate
and our commerce will be provided for.
II accounting is asked, let il be rendered Credit
each section with the paid into the national treas
ury and charge the special benefits received and when the
balances declared let them he paid the section TO
which they may be coming but win say gentlemen Of
the old States you will get land distribution, but the
great rivers Of The West win be improved that pro-
duco will float in safety, and without tax itsway TO
market
Mr. Chairman, wish TO speak very briefly Of this a
party question Since became voter has been my pride
and pleasure TO act with the democratic party. feel great
soctude that its position be consistent upon this measure
and satisfy the just expectations Of the country No party
be truly great unless II stand upon sound principles
and be not moved from that position
In 1s4l when Mr. Clay, the acknowledged leader of
the whg party, brought forward and urged his for
the distribution Of the proceeds OF the sales of the public
lands party took decided ground against IT. In 1914
National Convention adopted the following resolution
apart Of our platform:
Rolvod That the proceeds Of the public lands ought TO
be ,acredy applied 10 the national objects specified in the
ed to any law for the distribution of such proceeds
among the States alike nerpcdcnt in policy and repug
| nant to the constitution" s- +
In no political contest since 1892 have the prpcples Of