The daily union., 1854-07-22
THE SENATE LAND BILL-GRADUATION-CES
SION--AND THE HOMESTEAD.

SlON-AND THE HOMESTEAD.
The very decided majority by which the bill, proposed
by Mr. Hunter substitute for the homestead bill which
had passed the House by equally decided vote was
adopted by the Senate inspires with strong hope that
the present session of Congress is about to be sgnaze
by the of of those wise suggestions left
by Andrew Jackson rich legacy to his countrymen.
Before we proceed to comment upon this great measure
readers to pause and admire the profound
wisdom and lofty patriotism which mark that passage in
General Jacksons annual message of 1892 in which he
suggests the leading ideas embraced in the bill just passed
by the Senate After urging the Importance Of dscardng
all local and sectional feelings in legslang upon the sub
iec of the public lands General Jackson proceeded fol-
lows
q" be doubted that the speedy settlement of these
lands constitutes the true interest OF the republic The
wealth strength of country its population and the
part of that population the cu!tivators of the soil
Independent farmers everywhere the basis of society and
true friends Of liberty.
In addition these considerations, questions have al
ready arisen and may expected hereafter grow
the public lands which involve the rights of the States
and the powers of the general government and unless
eral policy be adopted there is danger that these
questions may speedily Importance not gene
rally anticipated The influence of great sectional interest
when brought into full action win be found dangerous
to the harmony union of the States than any other
discomfort and it is the part of wisdom and sound policy
orcsee its approaches and endeavor if possible
teract them.
the various schemes which have been hitherto pro-
posed regard to the disposal of the public lands has
yet received tho entire appreciation Of the national ega
ture Deeply impressed with the Importance of speedy and
satisfactory arrangement of the subject deem it my duty,
this OCCASION upon your consideration, and to
the propositions which have been heretofore suggested by
Others contribute those reflections which have occurred
me- in the hope that they may assist you your future
deliberations.
t be policy that the public lands
shall practicable to be of revenue
and that they be sold to settlers in limited parcels at price
barely sufficient to reimburse to the United States the
the present system and the cost arising under
Indian compac The advantages of accurate and
unoubted titles secured to purchasers to forbid
the abolition of the present system because none can be sub
sued which will perfectly accomplish these important
ends. desirable however, that in convenient time this
machinery be Withdrawn from the States and that the right
of SOIL and the future disposition Off be surrendered to the
States, respectively, in which it lies.
Thc adventurous and hardy population of the West be-
sides contributing their equal share of taxation under inn
post system, have in the progress of government for the
lands they occupy paid into the treasury large proportion
forty millions of dollars and of the received there
FROM but small part has been expended among them
When the disadvantage of their situation in this respect
add the consideration that is their labor alone which
gives real value to the lands and that the proceeds arising
from their sale distributed chiefly among States which
had not originally any claim to them and which had enjoyed
the undivided emolument arising from the sale of their
lands it cannot be expected that the States will
longer contented with the present policy after the payment
of the public debt TO avert the consequences which may be
apprehended from this course to put end forever all
partial and interested legislation this subject and af
ford to American citizen of enterprise the opportunity
of securing independent freehold it me- there
best to abandon the idea of raising future
of the public lands"
The predominant idea running through these profound
suggestions and reflections is that the public lands ought
to be looked Of revenue but regard
ed a. furnishing homes for seers and in that way
tbuting the wealth and strength of the country Gen
Pierce than whom no man could be deeply imbued
with the patriotic sentiments of General Jackson reitern
ted the important idea in his annual message when
he said that be regarded public domain chiefly
valuable provide homes for the industrious and enter
prsing and on that account declined TO recommend any
essential change in iaa syge except by modhca-
tions in favor of the actual settler The homestead bill
which passed the House based upon this suggestion Of
General Jackson and intended to carry out the prin
cple that tue speedy settlement of the public lands
sttutes the true interest of the republic" That BILL
however was not regarded by the Senate sufficient
ly comprehensive in its provisions to meet and reform
the evils so clearly pointed out by General Jackson,
whilst was apprehended that it conceded to Congress
a power in the disposal of the lands which was de-
MED on late memorable occasion by President Pierce
These considerations suggested the Importance of vigor