The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1854-04-11
The Public Lands-Mr. Perkins,s substitute
for MIR. Benefits Hill


We indebted TO friend, who has studied The sub
jet carefully for The following abstract of the proposition
submitted 10 Congress by Speaker Boyd as amended by
that submitted by Mr.. Perkins, 10 which we adyerted
few days ago:
The object OF Mr.. Perkinss amendment offered as a
substitute Tor Benners BILL 10 transfer far
consistent with the public interest. the disposal of the
public lands 10 the States in which they lie
ltproposes 10 grant all the lands within the States 10
the States in which they respectively situated on two
important conditions
1st. That the States shall dispose OF them at 81 rs
CENTS so cents. 25 cents according they have been
offered for sale for ten, fifteen, twenty and twenty
years.
3D. Thatihe States shall pay to the general gov
eminent certain per cenlage upon the amount realized
from their sale This per centage to be paid quarterly
as the lands disposed of at the State land Offices
This was, in few words the bill proposed by Speaker
Boyd. 1t was 10 carry out idea suggested by Mr.
Calhoun, and favoably spoken OF BY General Jackson
IN one OF his messages Its effect would be TO remove
out OF Congress subject Of much discussion and make
The States in which the lands are situated the agents for
their sale.
The first condition their sale at the graduated
price 10 the citizens of all the States and guards against
their being made by the States in which they lie either
subject OF speculation or unjust discrimination
The second condition is intended TO guaranty to be
general government full reimbursement Of the purchase
exdngulshment of Indian title. surveys, Sc, &c
The amount of this per centage is left blank in the
bill, to be filled by the House on an estimate Of the
amount OF the per centage that will accomplish this
Mr.. Perkins's amendment is proviso designed 10 au.
hpriy fha Sfofaa
along railroad lines within their borders and indemnify
themselves by dsposng of the remaining sections along
the line at double the price fxed by the bill
By this provision each State may grant, at its discre
on tina, aid TO railroad interests within its bordets tina
is now asked OF the general government Under its op
Grafton, the general government is guaranteed by the
State against any loss in the grant OF alternate sections
and each State is made the Judge under the responsible
y OF apecuniary interest in what cases the grant should
be made; for as soon grant made OF alternate
sections to any railroad the State pays the regular pei
oentage that would be due upon the sale OF those lands
to the general government and is reimbursed as already
stated by the sale of the remaining sections at double
price. -
The lands in Territories are not affected by the pro.
visions OF the bill
Under this bill the railroad interest is ampIy Unaffected
he general government is more than reimbursed the pur
chase and survey OF the public lands and relieved OF an
onerous and annoying agency in their disposal while the
citizens OF all the States guaranteed the advantages
OF a graduation in their prce
The States are also greatly benefited by having set.
lied within their borders all those annoying land claims
and conflicting titles that up TO Washington from
all quarters. to be decided frequently upon imperfect tes
tlmony.
Most OF The western States have already State land
Offices, as well as federal land Offices within their linn.
lis Under this bill the State land Offices will do the
work of both.
AT present the general government, pays 10 each State
hve per cent upon the public lands within their borders
and The State cannot them for five years after they
are sold.
BY the present bill this is reversed. the State paving
certain per ceniage 10 the general government The
receipt OF this per centage by the general government is
insured by The titles under the State being dependent for
their legality upon It's payment